Restaurant review: Not just another beefcake Gamal Nkrumah is ushered into the ultimate of Egyptian urban chic with a Californian drift Out of California and into the fire? It's only natural that contemporary Egyptian sensibilities should have a few problems with some aspects of Californian cuisine. And grappling with this in a luxurious Cairene kitchen is all well and good. Except that Eid Al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, just doesn't seem to be the time and place to probe much below the surface of Californian comfort cuisine nestled between two futuristic towers of the Nile City complex and Fairmont Nile City. Entering Napa Grill is nothing like broaching an ordinary restaurant. As you can well imagine, the crowds were not queuing up to reserve a seat at the Napa Grill when my companion and I walked in. We sat next to a bearded lady. Her studied headmistress-look was capped off with a pair of scarlet diamanté spectacle frames identical to those sported by Marilyn Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire. Half a dozen waiters and waitresses orbited around her. She worked the freak-show theme into a farcical comedy with crumpled skin and a mound of something that might have been human hair tossed turban-fashion on top of her limp lilac fringe. A teenage temptress, presumably her granddaughter, presented us all with something of a feast for the eye. She crossed her exquisite legs and played some peek-a-boo game with her bewhiskered grandmother. Even with tortoiseshell frames she looked less schoolteacher and more Angelina Jolie. She moved with unaffected style while the waiters were drawing breath. It was nothing but a frolic, and I took a peek at the wine list. The Napa Grill possibly has the best wine list in town. The headwaiter with short-cropped hair and dark suit beckoned as the two weird women frolicked about. We were bemused by it all. Indeed, it was a stimulating evening, occasionally gratifying. The interplay between two cultures -- Californian and Cairene -- revealed similarities and differences. Bright autumn sunshine pours through the large windows even as the air-conditioning is set so cold that my companion needs her jacket. Yes, the Napa Grill is possibly the coolest restaurant in Cairo, named after the top viticultural region of California and the entire United States. The Napa Valley, just north of the San Francisco Bay Area, conjures up creations of alcohol entrepreneurs that are of outstanding quality. The germ of Napa was seeded in the Mediterranean, most notably Italy, France and Spain. The vineyards of the Napa Valley are unique. Organic and biodynamically grown grapes produce some of the world's most delicious wines. Distinctive style and consistent character are the hallmarks of true Californian craftsmanship, the premium, as opposed to the cheap brands that the Fairmont hopes to appeal to Cairene consumers, and which successfully navigates the whim-saturated vagaries of the Egyptian liquor market. As for the food, I kicked off with a Red Sea crab cake. My companion preferred a French entrée. Foie gras torchon with balsamic glazed onions and brioche crostiti was her favourite hors d'oeuvre. Lemon aioli, avocado grapefruit and tomato cumin salsa was also tempting. I proceeded to order something wildly exotic. Grilled freshwater prawn with braised black beans, mango and avocado salsa was quite simply an unforgettable dish. Organic, fresh and seasonal cuisine is typical of the Napa Grill specialties. An air of reverence hangs over the place. The brown and cream décor is deceptively understated. Gracious hospitality is a lifestyle as far as the staff is concerned. Cilantro features prominently in this upmarket Californian- style eatery, with Mexican and Mediterranean undertones. Nothing on the menu is inexpensive, and it does require initial outlay to dine at the Napa Grill in style. Those who think it's worth it could take the plunge and conclude a perfect meal with the soft-centred chocolate and lavender marshmallows and apricot ice cream, as I did. Basmati rice corn crème brélée and pine nut crust was how my companion ended the evening. Napa Grill Fairmont Nile City 2005 B Corniche Al-Nile Ramlet Boulac, Cairo Tel: 2461 9494 Dinner for two: LE780
