Vivo

Buon Gusto at Nile Ritz Carlton

If hospitality is an art, then Vivo has created a masterpiece…

From the second you walk in you feel cosseted, indulged and pampered; the amazing contemporary Italian cuisine is just a bonus.

Concept:

Vivo has just introduced a stellar new menu. Created by double Michelin-starred chef Oliver Gowig, and flawlessly executed by Chef Carmine Di Luggo and Chef Ahmed Rasmi. The range of dishes is innovative and comprehensive, a new take on the classic foundations of haute cuisine.

 

Signature dishes:

 

Veal Tenderloin Piazzaiola, Grilled Octopus with Green Beans, Pesto and Boiled Potatoes

 

Dishes sampled:

To truly appreciate the dining experience we first downed warm shots of carrot soup with a veil of truffle oil, a perfect way to wake up our taste buds. The freshly baked bread, dotted with dark olives was irresistible, so, with a dainty dish of balsamic and chilli oil to dunk it in, we did just that while waiting for our Arugula Salad with blue cheese, fresh raspberries and hazelnuts. A fresh combination of flavors, beautifully presented, it will be on our list for return visits.

The beverage list was almost overwhelming, with so much choice that we were hard put to decide. A specialty cocktail promised to be fresh and aromatic with the addition of basil, peach and vanilla, so we couldn’t resist trying it. A great decision.

Risotto is always a test of any Italian chef’s talent, and the seafood version that was next on our gastronomic journey was spot on. The depth of flavor was immense, but it didn’t obscure the individual taste of the lobster, prawns, calamari and mussels. A must try. We were really impressed by then and had high expectations of our main courses of Salmon with Potato Galette and Cherry Tomatoes, and the Beef Tenderloin, served with foie gras, baby spinach and pine nuts. Again, both were cooked to perfection, and like the preceding dishes, arranged with an artist’s eye and flair.

The choice of dessert was easy. Even though there were some really delectable options in the selection, we immediately went for tiramisu. Presented as a sculptural deconstructed confection, it was almost a shame to delve into it. It was every bit as good as it looked, and when a platter of dainty petit fours and chocolates arrived to draw a memorable meal to a close, we could barely do them justice. Sigh…

 

Other menu options that appealed:

Absolutely everything. We can’t wait to try the rack of lamb, and some of the imaginative pasta dishes.

Décor

Chic and elegant, with superbly comfortable seating. Lush jacquard upholstery with dashes of deep aquamarine, quality wood, cappuccino toned leather banquettes, subtle lighting and a spectacular view of the Nile.

Ambiance:

Relaxed, with good spacing of tables to allow privacy. Smooth, courteous, professional service from a very experienced and well-coordinated team.

Beverages available:

From soft drinks and juices to spirits, cocktails and mocktails. Possibly the best selection in town.

Clientele mix:

Couples, solo business travellers who know where to find great food, and groups of friends. A perfect place for a romantic date or a business dinner geared to impress.

Price range: Not cheap, but in line with the exceptional quality of food and service. You could order with restraint and have a very reasonable meal, but trust us, it is worth a splurge.

Address:

The Nile Ritz-Carlton

Corniche El Nil

Opening hours: Dinner from 6 pm  – 12 am

Tel:  25778899

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ritzcarltoncairo/

Torii

Japanese Cuisine at Cairo Marriott

 

This popular venue has just added exciting new elements to its rich menu, giving fans of its already impressive offerings yet another reason to head over to indulge. Cairo West Magazine was there for the launch, and wouldn’t have missed it.

 

Signature dishes:

Teppan-Yaki, Sushi, Sashimi, Steamed Sea Bass, Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Wok-fried Vegetables

Dishes sampled: Settling in, we nibbled on edamame and tiny salmon filled tacos, aromatically seasoned with caper, wasabi, lemon, red onion, and fresh coriander, while catching up with the news of our dining companions. Then, miraculously, dish after dish filled the table, with a constant flow of beautifully presented specialties.

The salad selection was created to share, so we delved into Tako salad, a fresh delight of octopus, celery, shredded carrot, zucchini, spring onion, pines nuts and fresh coriander, all drizzled with a tangy wasabi dressing. Then came the Quinoa Fitness Salad, a refreshing mix of quinoa and orange, with a honey-soy sauce. Smoked scallops followed, nestled in individual serving dishes and bathed in a mango-ginger sweet chili sauce. Then dishes of freshly grilled prawns in a citrusy ponzu salsa came to claim our attention.

A spectacular platter of sashimi and sushi arrived, with the freshest imaginable seafood, and creatively colorful sushi. By the time a dish loaded with seafood and vegetable tempura in a light, crunchy batter came we had really eaten more than we politely could, but we still had a mouth-watering serving of chicken, sea bass and vegetables, straight from the flashing blades of the skilled teppan-yaki chef.

The suggestion of a rich caramelized banana sambousek for dessert was mightily tempting, but we regretfully declined. It would have been a shame not to do it full justice, so that can wait for our nest visit.

 

Other menu options that appealed: We were more than happy with what we were presented with, and are sure that other dishes would all be just as good.

 

 

 

Décor: Dark, chic, stylish and intimate without feeling cramped.

Ambiance:  On our visit it was lively, buzzing with animated conversation and with a cosmopolitan vibe. A great place to catch up with friends over dinner.

Beverages available: A full bar, along with fresh juices, and traditional sake and green tea, of course.

Top Tip: Share dishes and try as many as possible.

Clientele mix: Business dinners, groups of friends and couples.

Price range: Moderate

Address: Cairo Marriott Hotel

Opening hours: 6 pm to 12 am

Tel:  273 94691 for reservations

Fine-casual Dining in the Heart of Korba

Heliopolis Welcomes The Smokery  

Fine-casual Dining in the Heart of Korba

Concept:  Home-grown, fine-casual dining

Type of cuisine: International – specialized in smoked salmon

Beverages:  A buzzing bar with house signature drinks – reviewer’s note: Angel A.

Signature dishes: The Saumon Fruite Balsamique and The Steak Café de Paris

Menu overview: The menu is essentially the same as the one in Katameya Heights, so you know what to expect.

Dishes sampled: We started with a variety of bite-size appetizers – which they call mise en bouche. Also sampled was the Salmon Dip with cucumber and carrots – displayed in a stainless steel tree (designed by the owner). Then we tried a fresh and aromatic duo, Salmon-Tuna Tartare accompanied by herb-buttered toast. One of the highlights was the Honey-glazed Salmon Skewers, which consisted of 4 perfectly cooked salmon fillets covered with a pleasant thick and tasty honey sauce. Our Sushi platter of 14 pieces was just a small sample of their finest Japanese selection – crispy rolls, California, Maki tuna and salmon and shrimp Nigiri.

Balancing out on the fish intake, we also tried the Duck Mandarine Crêpes, which consisted of succulent shredded duck, with crispy skin, a tangy mandarin sauce, rolled in a paper-thin crêpe pastry. The Zucchini-Cream Cheese Rolls were an excellent choice for a summery afternoon nibble – simple and light. On the side we had a Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad, on a bed of shredded lettuce and caramelized walnuts.

A new addition to the menu – The Cordon Bleu was our option for the main dish. We were served a tender and succulent boneless chicken breast, melted cheese, accompanied by French fries and a small green salad. We wrapped up our lovely afternoon of great food with a small sample of some of their mouthwatering desserts.

Other menu options that appealed: Le Curnonsky – named after the prince of gastronomy, this dish consists of a special thick-cut tenderloin fillet, and gratin dauphinois (based on potatoes and fresh crème) and braised vegetables. Best for sharing.

Décor: The Smokery Heliopolis is tucked in the left corner of the garden that belongs to a 1920’s Boutique Hotel. They have managed to keep the same cozy and al fresco feeling as their Katameya Heights’ branch – with a lot of greenery, an outdoor sitting area overlooking a gracious and newly renovated 1920 villa – that soon will host a boutique hotel. Their bar is set in the center of the venue – where you can watch the making of your drinks or sit on a stool by the counter.

Clientele mix: Upscale Heliopolis crowd

Price range: Higher end

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 4pm to 1am

Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 1am

Address: 58 Beirut Street – Heliopolis

Tel: + 01286830199 (weekend reservation is highly advised)

Facebook and Instagram: TheSmokeryEg

Bocca Eatery and Social House

Bringing Something Special to Mohandessin

We visited this impressive new venue just after its’ opening and found it already buzzing with queues for a table by mid-evening. “Don’t call us a café,” stressed entrepreneur owner Ahmed Eid, meaning there’s more to Bocca than a place to drop in for a sandwich and a shisha. And he’s absolutely right; we were blown away by the quality of the food. Everyone’s favorites are here, from irresistible starters you’ll want to sample and share, to steaks, pastas and sophisticated main dishes, and desserts to die for. Even the breakfast menu is pretty sumptuous.

Concept: The clue is in the name; this is a cool, social hang-out of a place with an amazing menu that lives up to its promise and a lively congenial atmosphere where you’ll want to meet with friends, relax with a shisha, but most importantly satisfy your appetite!

Type of cuisine: International

Signature dishes:  “All of them!”

Dishes sampled: We kicked off with Loaded Potato and Cheese Balls, which were crispy, breaded and fried with a homemade Thousand Island dip. This was followed by an Artichoke and Spinach Casserole, satisfyingly creamy, topped with melted cheese and home-baked potato chips and Mediterranean Goat Cheese Salad, made up of tossed Rocca leaves, seasonal grilled vegetables, roasted, chopped crispy beef bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mint and pomegranate seeds, all drizzled with a goat cheese, pesto and balsamic dressing. For our main dishes, we opted for Lime Shrimp Risotto with leeks, fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese and a creamy lime sauce, and the Lamb Shank Bouillabaise, slow cooked tender Australian lamb shanks with pan juice glaze, baby vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. And yes, we made sure we had room for dessert of Chocolate Soufflé, a super-rich chocolate cake with a molten center, served with vanilla ice cream.

Other menu options that appealed:  Sea Bass served over a rich tomato sauce with a side order of roasted vegetables, grilled bok choy and hot peppers, and also the Wild Mushroom Soufflé, and Salmon Teriyaki.

Beverages: Really delicious fresh juices, soft drinks, smoothies, full range of hot drinks.

Décor: Industrial chic over two floors, functional but with a touch of elegance.

Ambiance:  Bright, spacious (takes 300 covers), well lit, quite loud and buzzy. Sound system in the process of being installed; expect a chill-out music mix. The lunchtime, teatime and after work crowd gives way to sophisticated older diners as the evening goes on.

Clientele mix: Young and lively, groups, couples.

Price range: Moderate

Opening hours: 10 am to 2 am

Address:  10 Midan Gomhoreya (off El Thawra St.) Dokki

Tel: 0112 230 0000

Instagram: @boccaeateryandsocialhouse

Organic Goes Gourmet in the Heart of Maadi

Type of cuisine: The cuisine is fast, healthy, and wholesome. With a menu of classics: soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts the food is simple with a global infusion. Flavors from around the world are made with local ingredients. Italian, French, English, and Thai flavors are created with love. Bistro No. 10 is fast food for the health-conscious consumer.

Concept: Simple, creative home cooking with a local focus.

 

Signature dishes: The best thing about Bistro No.10 is that there are no signature dishes. The owners created the entire menu then later refined it with a master chef. Who would have thought to put raspberries with beef? How can labneh and dried figs make kale taste like candy? Each dish is a signature of its own.

Dishes Sampled:

The dishes sampled at first glance seemed run-of-the-mill. One bite changed that assumption and our taste buds were overwhelmed with pleasure. Each item was fresh and intentionally aiming not only to be a healthy alternative to the fast food that is taking over Cairo, but a true culinary journey. Each dish was a 10 out of 10.

Salads

Vegan Apple Slaw

The Chevre

 

Sides

French fries with triple dips

 

Sandwiches

Raspberry Roast Beef Sandwich

Thai Sautée Chicken Sandwich

Café Paris Sandwich

 

Other menu options that appealed: With every bite being so delicious it was easy to plan our next visit to Bistro No. 10. Lots of menu items to choose from all with unique flavor combinations that are different from the norm. A sandwich isn’t a sandwich if the flavors are matched perfectly. The top three items that need to be sampled on our next visit are the Burger No.10, The Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and the Crabmole dip!

Décor: The interior is made from all-natural materials and speaks to the time that went into making Bistro No. 10, a unique experience from start to finish. Everything is simple and plain, yet aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The tables and chairs are made from refurbished pallets, painted a fresh white and topped with comfortable cushions. The thatched roof, floors, and walls are all made with post-consumer materials, giving the décor a bohemian-chic feel.

Ambience: The ambiance is upscale family run sandwich shop meets California street corner. The décor and menu are high-end, but the ambiance is relaxed and cool. You will be drinking homemade ice-tea and eating kale while forgetting you’re in the heart of Cairo.

Beverages available:

Soft Beverages

Soft Drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite)

Iced Tea (lemon, lemon and mint, peach, or house special)

Fresh Juice (mango, orange, lemon, lemon, and mint)

Water

Eat in/ Take-away/ Catering/Home delivery: Bistro No.10 has both an indoor and outdoor seating area and is currently an ‘eat-in’ bistro only with home-delivery plans in the works. Catering is offered and would be a great way to jazz up a business lunch, conference, or party.

Top Tip: The restaurant is quaint and intimate and has both an indoor and outdoor eating area. This is the perfect place for grabbing a quick and healthy lunch or dinner. Make sure your entourage is about 2-4 people for optimal seating and comfortable dining.

Clientele mix: The clientele at Bistro No.10 is a mixed group of Egyptians and expatriates with a refined palate. The restaurant is less worried about dress code and appearances and more worried about satisfying customers with delicious flavor combinations. Whether it’s a meeting, a quick bite, or a date, Bistro No. 10 is the perfect place.

Price range: The bistro is a triple treat restaurant; serving dishes that are healthy, delicious, and affordable. While easy on the wallet Bistro No. 10 won’t disappoint your taste buds.

 

Address: 10, Street 256, Maadi, Cairo

Opening hours:  12 pm- 12 am

Ramadan hours: 3 pm-2 am

Tel: 01210226690

Email: bistrono10egypt@gmail.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bistrono.10/

Facebook: facebook.com/bistrono.10/

Seafood Risotto

Ingredients:

100 g Carnaroli risotto (or similar good quality risotto)

50 g   mussels

50 g  calamari

100 g  jumbo prawns

50 g  lobster

10 g  fresh garlic

10 g  onion shallot

50 g   fresh cherry tomatoes

150 ml fresh vegetable stock

150 ml  fresh fish stock

50 g  extra virgin olive oil

50 g butter

Salt, pepper, freshly chopped parsley

 

Preparation:

 

Slice calamari into small rings, dice the prawns but leave one or two for a garnish,          along with one of the mussels. Dice the lobster finely. Quarter the cherry tomatoes and crush lightly.

For the risotto, heat 3 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.        Fry the finely chopped shallot and finely chopped garlic gently until softened. Add    the rice and fry it in the oil for 2 minutes.

Add a ladle of the hot fish stock. When this has been absorbed, add alternate ladles         of vegetable stock and fish stock and continue to do so, stirring after each addition,          until you have only a couple of ladlefuls of fish stock left, this should take about 16-         18 minutes. Add the mussels, retaining one for a garnish.

Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan until simmering and fry the      calamari rings, lobster and shrimp briskly for 2 to 3 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper. Stir the seafood and tomato into the risotto with the            remaining fish stock and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until absorbed.

Stir in the butter and parsley, and serve immediately.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bistrot No. 10 Recipe

Grilled Cheese Sandwich “The Brie”

Ingredients

  • Brie cheese
  • Crispy beef bacon
  • Apricot jam
  • White or brown bread
  • Butter
  • Balsamic reduction [2 cups balsamic vinegar, ½ cup brown sugar]

Preparation:

Balsamic Reduction

Mix 2 cups balsamic vinegar with ½ cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until glaze is reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Glaze should coat the back of a spoon. Let cool and pour into a jar with a lid; store in refrigerator.

 

Sandwich

Top fresh bread with Brie cheese and beef bacon. Grill in butter until cheese is melted and bread is brown and toasty. Top with apricot jam and a balsamic reduction. Serve!

 

Fasting Ramadan with Ease

Fasting Ramadan with Ease

Have you noticed that during Ramadan our bodies feel more rested? It is because fasting gives your digestive system a rest, and this can energize your metabolism to burn through calories more efficiently. If your digestion is poor, this can affect your ability to metabolize food and burn fat.

Fasting can regulate your digestion and promote healthy bowel function, thus improving your metabolic function. According to some researchers, not eating anything for just one day has shown to help the body clean up the toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs of the body including liver and kidneys.

Know the foods that hydrate your body

When fasting, we’re slowly being dehydrated over the course of the day, so once we break our fast and during the non-fasting period we need to have foods that put water into our body, not deplete it further. It can be difficult to eat a lot of watermelon or squash, even though they’re super-hydrating foods, but you can make juices out of the fruits, and soups out of the vegetables to give your body the additional water it needs.

Avoid salty spice mixes and condiments that sneak their way into our rice and meat dishes only to leave us wondering why we’re so thirsty afterwards. A great way to break the fast is to enjoy your favorite dates, of course. They can be consumed at the suhoor (pre-dawn meal before the fasting day begins) or at the iftar (meal at the time of breaking the fast) followed by soup to preface your main meal. Consider limiting coffee and tea which are very dehydrating to the body, to about half of what you normally drink.

There is a long list of food that can help you stay hydrated in Ramadan, the following is one of the most popular recipes for both iftar and suhoor.

Dried Fruit Salad Recipe (Khoshaf)

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces dried figs
  • 8 ounces dried apricots
  • 8 ounces pitted prunes
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ¼ cup pine nuts

Method:

  • Place the figs, apricots, prunes, cranberries, raisins, and golden raisins in a bowl. Pour in just enough water to cover. Cover the bowl and soak overnight, at least 8 hours.
  • Pour the fruit with the soaking water into a saucepan. Stir in the pine nuts and honey. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is tender but still holds its shape, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat; return the fruit and liquid to the bowl, being careful not to break up the fruit. Cool to room temperature, can refrigerate once cooled down.

Bon appétit!

Ted’s Apple Cinnamon Crumble

Ted’s is giving away its signature Apple Cinnamon Crumble recipe. So get your chef’s hat, roll up your sleeves and enjoy!

The Dough:

• 265g softened stick margarine
• 3 large eggs
• 240g flour
• 1g baking powder
• 3g salt
• 220g powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The Crumble:

• 7g ground cinnamon
• 60g softened stick margarine
• 100g sugar
• 160g all-purpose flour

The Apple:

• Peeled Rome apple (about 5 large ones)
• 100g cinnamon
• 1 litre of water

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°.
  2. Blend the sugar, margarine and vanilla in a mixer at a medium speed for about 4 minutes. Then add the eggs and beat them well one at a time. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, blend both mixtures at low speed
  3. Boil the peeled apples, mash them, and then add sugar and cinammon while stirring untile they blend evenly. That’s it for the crumble
  4. Pour the dough into an 8-inch pan coated with cooking spray or butter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon mixture.
  5. Add the crumble on the top of the dough.
  6. Bake at 170° for 65 minutes or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack and garnish it with powder sugar.

    N.B: You can use a 9-inch spring form pan to make

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