A Great Steak-out in City Stars which some may considered the best American cuisine restaurant in Nasr City.

International cuisine: An American-inspired dining spot. Offering a sophisticated yet ravishing dining experience.

Concept: The name Sizzler is inspired by the American food chain, Sizzler. Dining there is an experience in the true essence of international cuisine- mainly focusing on its renowned selection of steak dishes.

Signature dishes: Sizzler Combo (chicken strips, fried mozzarella, spring rolls, cordon bleu chicken, grilled mushroom), Cheese Burger (classic, American cheese), Seafood Pasta (shrimp, calamari, crabs, topped with Capri, in a rich white or red sauce), Cordon Bleu (breaded chicken filled with cheese and turkey), and Grilled Salmon (fresh salmon served with seafood rice – Spanish gratin and choice of sauce).

Dishes sampled: We started off our dining experience with their selection of scrumptious Garlic Bread, with a side of chopped olives and butter. A great way to tingle our taste buds was with the creamy steamy, Onion Soup. What makes it so distinctive is that it has a slight touch of onion sweetness alongside the saltiness of the beef broth. A perfect blend of onion, black pepper, thyme and beef broth.

We then tried two of their most favoured dishes – Sizzler Grilled Fillet, we chose it to be cooked medium well, grilled perfectly and smothered in black pepper sauce – the meat was very juicy, with a perfect brown texture, served with a side of mashed potato, fluffy, smooth and drenched in gravy, with a second side of vegetables that were grilled to perfection.

Our second choice was the Grilled Italian Chicken Mozzarella Trio: 3 pieces of grilled chicken breast flooded with creamy mushroom sauce, with a side baked potato and fresh corn. To revitalize our experience we tried the Lemon Mint juice – a fresh mixture of lemon, mint, sugar and blended ice – delicious, sweet and refreshing. To top off our dining experience we indulged our chocolate cravings and ordered the famous Oreo Madness made of a base layer of Oreo, a layer of vanilla ice cream in the middle, topped with crumbled Oreo cookies and chocolate sauce. The food takes about 30 to 40 minutes to prepare, which is relatively fast.

Other menu items that appealed: In general Sizzler has a wide variety of international dishes including salads, appetizers, chicken, beef and fish dishes alongside pizza, pasta, a kids menu and light sandwiches. However, it is mainly known for its’ delicious steak dishes. Other recommended dishes are the Chicken Cordon Bleu or their Rib-Eye Steak.

Decor: The place is very simple, yet appealing, with a wide collection of relatively large paintings mostly of jazz musicians playing . Seating is very comfortable, low lighting makes for a relaxed atmosphere, accompanied with a selection of chill-out jazz music.

Ambiance: The ambience is calm and classy. Very spacious, yet still warm and cozy.

Beverages: Soft drinks are served, water and fresh juice (lemon, mango, strawberry etc…)

Clientele mix: They have a mixture of young, middle class families, couples, and groups of friends.

Price range: Their prices are reasonable yet when it comes to rich dishes, they tend to be more expensive, such as steak or salmon dishes.

Address: Nasr City, City Stars, Mosaique Dining Court, Phase 2, 4th floor, next to Mandarine Koueider.

Opening hours: Ramadan: 2 pm-10 pm, Normal days 11am-12:30am

For those in Sheikh Zayed or other west Cairo areas who yearn for their old haunts back in Zamalek, one of Zamalek’s best restaurants has expanded. La Bodega at the Galleria 40 Mall offers a similar ambiance to its more established sister who some could safely argue is one of the best restaurants in Sheikh Zayed, but also has a very distinctive flavour (literally) of its own. Cairo West Magazine went along to find out what’s on the menu.

Concept: Breaking away from the established La Bodega in Zamalek, which serves a Mediterranean based menu, this new outlet in Sheikh Zayed boasts a new chef from Johannesburg, who has brought with him a distinct South African twist to the menu. South African food is famous for its multicultural fusion, so prepare to be taken on a gastronomic whirlwind ride…

Type of cuisine:  South African fusion

Signature dishes:  Speaking with chef Johnny Lement, we established that what really makes this new menu fresh and unique are the sauces accompanying each dish. For example his ‘expresso barbeque’ with real coffee, ‘red pepper tartar’, ‘cilantro jalapeño’, and ‘citrus mayo with chipotle’ are each a little adventure on their own. Your taste buds will be tantalized trying to detect the original ingredients!

Dishes sampled: Beef Skewers Espetada with Chilli Crème Fraiche (deliciously spiced meat on baby skewers with two side accompaniments, zingy carrot with citrus and the cooling crème fraiche); Chicken Liver with Chipotle Expresso Dipper (the livers encrusted and deep fried); Duck Rolls with Ginger Honey Soy and Sweet Chilli Dipper (delicately fried and very more-ish, with a kick in the sauce!); Gorgonzola and Pear Salad with Walnuts and Greens (genuine vintage Gorgonzola and lightly sautéed pear). We followed these with a main dish of Spicy Thai Chicken Curry, cooked in a delectable mango sauce. The rice came garnished with caramelized onions – something well worth remembering to try at home. To finish we couldn’t resist the Death by Chocolate and Sticky Toffee Pudding desserts!

Other menu options that appealed: Honey Roasted Beetroot Salad with Goats Cheese and Pistachios; Cashew-nut Encrusted Beef Filet with Madagascan Pepper sauce and Coriander.

Beverages: Fully licensed with a comprehensive drinks menu, plus delicious fresh juices (try the orange and peach cocktail), tea and coffee.

Décor: Sophisticated but eclectic with a range of textural ingredients that include velvet, concrete, wood and chrome – but it works! Jewel colours and ambient lighting.

Ambiance:  Chill-out music with a bit of pop (there’s a DJ on the weekends), not too over-powering.

Clientele mix:  People who like to eat. And drink! Age range twenty-five to forty-five (younger at the weekend, older during the week.)

Top Tip: If you’re going with friends, try ordering a range of ‘Nibbles’ and ‘Appetizers’ to pass around like a Tapas bar. That way you can savour as many tastes as possible.

Price range: Moderate.

Opening hours:

Address:  Galleria 40, Unit 105, El Sheikh Zayed

Telephone number:  27350543/01005232923

Website: www.labodegaegypt.com

Facebook:  labodegaegypt

Instagram: Labodegaegypt

The Perfect Chill Out Venue in Sheikh Zayed which could arguably be considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Sheikh Zayed. 

Type of cuisine: Mediterranean with an Italian focus

Signature dishes: Filetto Olivo, Polpette di Pollo with Mozzarella

Dishes sampled: We couldn’t skip the popular Polpette di Pollo with Mozzarella for a starter, and the dish lived up to its reputation. Morsels of chicken and mozzarella lovingly encased in perfectly cooked risotto, coated in konafa, then deep-fried to perfection. Served with an unexpected Thousand Island sauce for dipping, it was a new twist on an Italian classic. Our verdict? Heaven on a plate!

Teamed up with a refreshing lemon juice with mint, served in the ubiquitous jar that is now de rigueur for juices in trendier locales it seems, this starter was a great introduction to an enjoyable meal. The challenge was in finding a main dish that would live up to the great standards already set. We opted for the Filetto Olivo, another signature dish.

The tournedos was cooked as requested, and came with a thyme tapenade, melted mozzarella cheese and a garnish of black olives. The plate comes with a choice of mashed potatoes or rice, and grilled or sautéed vegetables. All in all it was such a substantial meal that much as we would have loved to indulge in a couple of the scrumptious desserts there was absolutely no way we could have done them justice. Just another excuse to make a return visit, we say.

Other menu options that appealed:

The menu is so extensive, with items ranging from sandwiches, pizza, pasta dishes, fish and meat specialties that it would be difficult to choose. Short-listed are the Risotto de Mare, a creamy risotto packed with prawns and calamari, and the  Penne alla Quattro Formaggi,

Penne cooked in aromatic creamy sauce made of four types of cheese (Parmesan,

Gorgonzola, Ricotta and Mozzarella). The dessert menu was created for hedonists. Who could resist such a cornucopia of creamy, gooey, chocolate laden, fruity delights?

We would be torn between the cheesecake, a classic, with a choice of caramel, strawberry or Nutella topping, or the equally sinful Cioccalato Fondente, chocolate fondant stuffed with a warm oozing center of dark chocolate topped with chocolate and caramel sauce, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Décor:

Laid out over two levels, there is an open-air area with an adjacent lounge for smokers, while non-smokers have a smoke free lounge to themselves. Lighting is subtle, and planters full of greenery and palm trees dotted around give the spacious lounge an air of relaxed privacy. Seating is comfortable and cozy, and the addition of a fountain elevates the lounge-style decor to a new level of chic.

Ambience:

The open-air setting brings the feel of an idyllic garden to guests. Far removed from any street noise, the only sounds are the gentle hum of conversation and the soft strumming of a group playing Spanish guitar.

Thumbs up: Valet parking makes the experience even better.

Beverages available: Juices, shakes, coffees and teas, and all the soft options.

Clientele mix: Couples and groups of friends, Favilla Lounge is also family friendly.

Price range: Moderate

Address: Plaza 34, Sheikh Zayed

Opening hours: 9 am to 2 am, so it is a good spot to catch breakfast as well.

Tel:  0100 323 3646

Facebook: FavillaLounge

Instagram: Favilla Lounge

A well-established American burger chain aiming to be one of the best burger places in Zamalek, bringing the traditional experience of juicy beef burger patties alongside hand–scooped ice cream milkshakes right to your table.

Concept: Established in 1952 in Los Angeles, California, the place was known to have some of the best burgers and milkshakes in town. Mainly known for serving juicy burgers, fresh fries, homemade onion rings and milkshakes.

Signature dishes: Fat Salad, Chicken Wings, Chicken Strips, Western BBQ Fatburger, Classic Fatburger, Hotdog

Dishes Sampled:

We started off with the Buffalo-Fried Chicken Wings, 5 pieces of fried chicken wings drenched in buffalo chili sauce, with a side of ranch sauce and carrot sticks. We then tried the Western BBQ Fatburger- one of their best selling burgers, a fresh juicy Fatburger with BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, beef bacon, Swiss cheese and two homemade crispy onion rings, it was accompanied by a side of skinny, crispy fries and a drink. We also tried the Mushroom Swiss Burger, beef burger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms, this burger came with a side of Fat Fries, kind of like potato wedges and a drink. The portions are good, a very filling meal, the burgers are not small- enough to fill you up.

Other menu options that appealed: The menu offers a wide range of burgers, a great feature of Fat Burger is you can choose a single, double, triple or quad burger patty, which makes it extra juicy! Burgers for healthy consumers are also on offer: Lettuce Wrap Burger (where buns are replaced with lettuce, with the classic burger and additional toppings are still there). There is also the Bun-less Burger, where the buns are replaced with beef patties. The Chicken Strips also looked very appealing, as well as the Caesar salad, and the hotdogs.

Décor: The interior is mainly inspired by the 1950’s, a lot of pop art, wall paintings, neon signs, the seating is very suitable for a burger place, wooden chairs- not too comfy but good enough for a quick burger meal.

Ambiance: The ambiance generally brings an essence of modernity but at the same time contains the classic part to it – inspired by 1950’s music and art.

Beverages available:

Soft Drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite)

Clientele mix: The clientele at Fatburger is mainly a combination of young couples, or young groups of friends.

Price range: The price range is fairly good, not too high, not too low. It’s affordable and prices are good considering other burger places.

Contact information

Address: 5, Abu El Feda Street, Zamalek  

Opening hours:  8 am- 12 am

Tel: 01118711966

Instagram: instagram.com/fatburgereg/

Facebook: facebook.com/fatburger egypt/