S. Korea's c. bank holds base rate at 2.50%    Egypt's annual core CPI inflation eases to 11.4% in June: CBE    Tokyo to sign grant deal for Suez Canal rescue ship in August – Japanese envoy    Egypt's EDA, Haleon discuss local market support    Environment ministry signs agreement to strengthen marine protection, promote ecotourism    Egypt, WHO discuss expanding health cooperation, development initiatives    Gaza under siege, fire: Resistance intensifies amid deepening humanitarian collapse    Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in Egypt for high-level talks    Service restoration underway after Cairo telecom fire, minister tells PM    Egypt, Sierra Leone discuss expanding cooperation in transport, infrastructure    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    Egypt, Pakistan boost healthcare ties – Cabinet    UK, Egypt strengthen cooperation on green transition, eco-tourism, and environmental investments    Escalation in Gaza as ceasefire talks remain fragile amid mounting humanitarian crisis    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM, Uruguay's president discuss Gaza, trade at BRICS summit    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger        Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Thai twist
Published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 21 - 11 - 2012

Why have so many of my middle-aged, middle-class contemporaries ended up living in suburban Cairo when there are hardly any restaurants out there to speak of? I guess there is less pollution out there in the desert suburbs encircling Cairo. The sandy side of Cairo does have its own charms and potential, I suppose.
In the middle of nowhere, yet down the road from the American University in Cairo Dusit Thani has the kudos of being in the vicinity of such an esteemed institution of higher learning. Another plus for Dusit Thani is that there are no other five-star hotels in the neighbourhood. One of the plushest eateries acts as something of an interface between the private and public realms. It is cosy and yet conjures up exciting evenings where you can see and be seen in the company of professors and students. There is a distinct Asian theme in the menu and a touch of the Orient in this Thai five-star hotel chain. The irony, though, is that the restaurant itself is named after a European fish — the Branzino.
Nevertheless, this is far from a traditional seafood eatery and there are far more meaty dishes than fishy ones. The only dish on the restaurant's menu that comes with its namesake is the sea bass sayedieh served with grilled tomato and lemon. “Not particularly appetising,” Queen Tiye turned her nose up at the idea.
We survey the luscious offerings of Branzino. And, we move on from grilled tomato to the appetisers. Gastronomically, Branzino is a mix of Arab, Asian and European comestibles.
There were flashes of brilliance in Queen Tiye's Asian salad — iceberg lettuce, wood ear mushroom, sweet corn, cucumber, shrimp and soya with radish dressing. “I can't resist it,” Queen Tiye exclaims at this rather hubristic moment.
Redhead is a self-professed outsider. Nevertheless, she tucks in readily. Her homemade ravioli ricotta cheese and tomato herb coulis is not Queen Tiye's cup of tea. Platinum Blonde went for buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil pesto and balsamic reduction.
Queen Tiye exhibited her customary aristocratic sangfroid. The Caesar Salad with Parmesan Reggiano, and grilled farm chicken was daintily dressed, tossed with watercress and capers and drizzled with olive oil.
Drawing strength from a glass of red wine, Redhead ordered a Niçoise salad, seared tuna, green beens and potatoes. The Australian beef medalions, with Parmesan gnocchi, seared mushroom and asparagus were the perfect articulation of what Branzino is all about.
The Platinum Blonde was peering with piggish passion into my veal escalope, potato wedges and rucola salad. Rojan Gosht, Kashmiri lamb curry and Basmati rice created flights of nostalgia for Redhead. Queen Tiye opted for the Norwegian grilled salmon fillet with sautéed vegetables, parsley potatoes and lemon butter sauce. She claimed that the dish was delicious. And, it did look scrumptious. Platinum Blonde pronounced her chicken Ballontine, polenta and fresh garden greens to be “yummy” as well.
Half an hour later Redhead suggested that we go for dessert, and we did. “Oh, I'd love one of those,” Platinum Blonde pointed at something from the menu excitedly. “Lemon créme brulee,” she chuckled.
“No, I wouldn't,” Queen Tiye hesitated. “I've already had far too much to eat,” she explained apologetically. But then she quickly changed her mind. “Chocolate caraway,” she gave in.
“Dessert is a must, I suppose, at such a nice restaurant,” she shrugged her shoulders. And, classic cheese cake and berry compote for me.
Branzino
Dusit Thani Lake View
New Cairo


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