Restaurant review: Approach at your own peril Injy El-Kashef is in quest of the holy mug At the mug store, a quick reflex, the origin of which remains unbeknownst to me, salvaged a couple of glasses from shattering into smithereens at my feet. Sheepishly, I gazed around with furtive discretion to check if the manager had spotted the near accident. "May I be of assistance?" came a voice from behind. Quickly regaining my composure, I replied, with Peter Sellers to my rescue, "whoever invented this rack should have his head examined -- that's number one. Number two, yes, I need a nice mug please." Waving his hand across the dozens of options on display with a questioning smirk, he asked: "none of those meets with your inclination?" Hmmmm... he is asking for it big time... Bad day, Johnny, bad day. Change attitude if you know what's best for you. "Yes... all charming," I yawned, "I'm just standing here because it's good for my hair. And, if all the assistance you can offer is indicating where the mugs before which I have spent the last hour are located, I am perfectly satisfied without it." Lo and behold, butterfly wings suddenly sprouted from his shoulders and he excused himself to return proudly with something much closer to what I had in mind. And now, equipped with the proper accessory, I could set out to the Ruma Café I had spied with my little eye on entering the mall. The first thing that caught my attention about the tiny coffee shop was the colour of the furniture. Laid out cosily, the tables for a maximum of four are designed with simple elegance, their deep dark wood in wonderful harmony with the rich petroleum blue of the velvet chairs. The ceiling is panelled with the same wood, some climbing plants flow freely from the glass shelf, the presence of grand coffee machines is imposing, promising and reassuring -- something about this down-to-earth place drew me in, the vibe loudly announcing that I would find comfort. As I approached, a waitress stepped out to greet me with a broad smile -- and what a pleasant sight this simple gesture always is. I gladly returned the courtesy, and, settling at the smallest table near a popcorn machine, brandished the new mug in which I requested a Macchiato such as would be prepared for her mother- in-law if she came on inspection. The team of waiters is incredibly sweet -- all six of them young and full of joy, a bit of spice in their innocent teasing drawing out giggles that rippled forth to create a carefree, bubbly atmosphere around the only customer there -- my ownsome. I couldn't have stumbled on a better spot for a window shopping break in the midst of this labyrinth City Stars. Why "Ruma", I asked while sipping on my rich, aromatic, frothy Macchiato, the double shots of caramel I specified perfectly blended with the Illy beans for a delicious taste. "Is it a misspelling of Roma, Rumba, Rum? For why would a Cairene coffee shop be named after a city in Serbia?" The only light the waitress could shed on this mystery was that the Egyptian owner's original branch opened back in the early 1980s in Kamen-Heeren, Germany, where it still caters to a large clientele. Chocolate, of course, is a girl's best friend -- especially when the sky dons its menacing grey coat, sending the clouds down too close. And a chocolate crêpe I received on a plain white dish, drizzled with more chocolate over the two roulades seeping with a Nutella-like fudge I made a point of inhaling, drawing in a few whiffs before letting myself indulge. Many a shy eater has found the courage to sample a new dish in the sheer power of his olfactory sense. Imagine the docile warmth of a fresh crêpe lifting the scent of hazelnutty chocolate to the tip of your nose. Why, I was much better disposed after that experience, and even felt a bit guilty about being such a royal cow with the mug store manager. Bidding my adieus to the Ruma team once the LE26 bill was settled, I purposely passed by the mug shop again on my way out, and offered the manager a candy free of weapons of mass destruction, then added: "be warned, though, I might be back for another one sooner than you think." His laughter made it evident he did not believe me. Ruma Coffee Citystars Nasr City
