Restaurant review: Sugar rush Salonaz Sami falls under the spell I have always been a fan of Maadi. Although not a resident, I take it as my home away from home. The neighbourhood is not only one of the cleanest, greenest and quietest, but it's also home to one of Egypt's most unique spots, Sugar Spell. Once you set foot you realise it is different -- a restaurant with more than one twist. Each table is separate with built-in couches that double as a fence for the young ones. Each has its own big flat screen playing cartoons non-stop. Opposite to the dining area is the playground, an open area with artificial grass, huge trampoline, swings, slides and lots of other things for your children to get busy with while you enjoy a meal. The indoor candy store is an entirely different story. An entire floor is dedicated to nothing but candy, all kinds and colours, in beautiful glass dispensers. For parents who insist on keeping their children on a healthy diet, this could be a nightmare. However, a brief visit can't be that bad. As if this were not enough, Sugar Spell also has tart powders in different colours and flavours that children can drink out of plastic tubes. You can buy candy by scoop and weight or by colour. Moreover, if your child is into hand activities, Sugar Spell offers you plenty of options for both of you to choose from. Kids can make and decorate their own cookies and then enjoy eating them once they're baked. They can also engage in a drawing session under adult supervision. The second and third floors have a Play Station corner and an open-air coffee area, in addition to the cinema room. There is also a costume room that, like the name implies, has dozens of outfits for your children to get dressed up in and have loads of fun. It also has a make-up corner and a photo booth for the young models to be. Meanwhile, the menu is nice, not sophisticated but rather simple with a number of child-friendly varieties of pizzas, pastas and burgers. We tried the pizza and pasta with mushrooms and white sauce and both were nice. They also have waffles and ice-cream, although only in one flavour, bubble gum, in addition to two popcorn and cotton candy machines. While the food may be reasonably priced, the activities are not. Each activity has a price tag and all are hung up on a board near the main entrance. Sugar Spell hosts birthdays and parties but you have to book in advance. The thing about Sugar Spell is that although it is intended for children, adults will indulge, too. Sugar Spell Maadi, Cairo www.sugarspell.net
