Resturant review: Do you believe in destiny? Might as well face it, rocks Injy El-Kashef : you're addicted to Lost Well, yes! I mean, when you squeeze in a couple of episodes (downloaded while you were asleep) with your morning coffee, and when you are willing to forsake the horror movie you planned for after dinner in order to rush home and sit at your notebook to see what will happen next -- that indicates a bit of an addiction may well have crept into your fascination with the brilliant serial. If you are experiencing these symptoms, fear not, for the same compulsion has reached me. Lost is soooo freaking cool! What I wouldn't do to drive to that mysterious island in my brand new car ( honnnnnnk -- Speedy Gonzales' got fresh wheels) and tread the jungle to the heart of destiny's puzzle. The intensity of the production lies in its clever portrayal of the characters' "other" side -- for, indeed, who doesn't hide an "other" side? I watched the diners at Café Mo, the solid burgundy of the walls accentuating the drama playing out in my head, and tried to guess what secret, what fear, what crime, what hope, what tragedy, what sin, what yearning, each may be concealing; who else is inside them, and have the two made war -- or peace -- yet? What of that boisterous crowd of teenagers merrily celebrating a birthday party? Have any of them bumped into their demons already, or is it still smooth sailing so far? The huge bowls that landed before us snatched my attention off the lives I was mentally constructing -- much more real was the fabulous aroma dancing up to me, and my senses won over as I sipped the scalding hot, creamy and flawless mushroom soup, which also warmed my hands. Few are the Cairene venues that still trick customers with a quick mix stirred with hot water -- the sheer abundance of gourmet restaurants in town has come to dictate quality for the ones seeking to survive the test of time. This offspring of the Mohandessin original Café Mo has got its recipes right, its only disadvantage being the crowd -- making a Thursday night dinner a trifle too loud for young adults wishing to ponder the "otherness" of things or enjoy a romantic tête-à-tête. Try as they may, the couple by our side had an incredibly difficult time whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears, judging by their visible frustration every time the birthday ones squeaked in delight for no good reason. My friend's main course triggered my curiosity: chicken breast covered with smooth spinach and melted cheese. She had two bites and rested her cutlery. My curiosity got the better of me. Too salty was her verdict -- yet, to me (once nicknamed "the goat" by a schoolteacher who saw me draw out a handkerchief full of salt to nibble on during recess) it was just right, except perhaps for the cheese, which should have been Parmesan. I had a steak to tend to, however, and so focussed on the juicy filet waiting to be explored. Where to begin? How to describe? Thick, tender, seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare, covered in a rich pepper sauce flowing over a perfect lump of milky mashed potatoes side by side with chunky sautéed mushrooms and vegetables glistening with maison butter. Heaven on a plate? Well, dessert comes next. Although it could have used a sprinkle of roast almond slivers, and real whipped cream instead of the Chantilly version, Café Mo's specialty -- cooked pumpkin with caramel -- is an absolute must-try. My friend, with whom I officially shared dessert, sneaked spoonfuls ever so stealthily she got my mind back into the "other" guessing game in a flash. I peered at her with scrutinising eyes before enquiring: "Tell me about your mother. Do you two get along well?" Drowning the birthday clamour in the background, her laughter rang loudly before she answered that her mother has got nothing to do with out-eating me over this tester of Olympic ambrosia. A quick trip to the ladies' room to powder my nose, the LE215 bill all taken care of, I was now fully ready to squirm out of the movie plan and head home to check on my Season 2 downloads. So... (eyebrow wiggle)... which Lost character are you ? Café Mo Nozha St, Heliopolis Tel 291 7287
