Fiddling with words

Injy El-Kashef faces her addiction problem
The Coffee Roastery is another one of those places that have been sitting at the top of my priority list ever since I accepted the honourable post of restaurant reviewer. Almost two years have passed and I just never got around visiting it simply because it is located in that dreadful part of town where all evil lurks: Mohandessin. Despite its many passable fashion boutiques and its numerous restaurants, I doubt that Mohandessin and I will ever be friends -- the animosity began too long ago and no mediator has ever been successful between us.
I happened to be in Mohandessin a few days ago unfortunately; of my own free will, certainly, but only because I refused to allow geographical considerations to get between myself and a dear friend who needed me to play mirror while she indulged in a shopping spree. Said friend, incidentally, also happens to share my incurable caffeine addiction, one of the many bad habits we have managed to cultivate over the years. As we drove on, totally lost (that is the area's way of expressing its mutual dislike of me -- yes, yes, I do take it personally), we spotted the Roastery just in our face with a free parking space opposite the door. Too much destiny involved here, ignoring the happy coincidence would bring on bad luck.
We strolled in expecting to be hit with an intense coffee aroma that never came. It does not smell of coffee in the Coffee Roastery; for me that was a definite bad sign. I ignored that and proceeded to scrutinise the menu, upon which I settled for a Sausage Sandwich, a Cheese and Mushroom Crêpe to share and a Caesar Salad for her.
I must say I was not entirely at a loss as to what to choose from the coffee section and that was another disappointment. I expected to spend at least a good 10 minutes lost between many options and have a case of embarras du choix on my lap to deal with frantically. None of the above took place. Very calm, I ordered an Iced Mocha Supremo with whipped cream. I had no objections to raise against it; it was, as we say, fine. However, I did not expect making use of the word fine in connection with the coffee at the Roastery; I expected a lot more than that.
The food arrived very promptly and the portions were all quite generous. The lettuce in the Caesar salad was crunchy and wonderfully fresh, the dressing was tasty and the croutons perfect; only the Parmesan cheese was a little sparse and my friend had to replace its taste, or lack thereof, with a little bit of mustard. My sandwich was entirely satisfactory with a thick grilled sausage nestling between grilled shreds of onions and green peppers. I personally would have chosen thinner bread than baguette: anyone seen eating that sandwich would surely resemble a yawning hippo. As for the crêpe, well it was a little bit chewy despite its great taste. Full of canned mushrooms and a cheese of Mozzarella consistency, it is a full meal with which I would recommend a Piña Colada.
We sat in the pleasant, friendly and casual atmosphere smoking cigarette upon cigarette and could have stayed there for another five hours trying all their "fine" coffee selections if I did not have to run back and feed my birds. That is why our bill came to a gentle LE44.
Coffee Roastery, 46 Nadi Al-Said St, Mohandessin
Tel 760 0735
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