Restaurant review: Stop here before you drop A rejuvenating café in CityStars will cheer up even the grumpiest of shoppers, writes Hannah Mintz I understand that some people crave bright lights, endless escalators, and slippery marble floors. For me, though, a trip to any mall -- much less the immense CityStars -- is a harrowing expedition. I generally avoid shopping like other people avoid going to the dentist. But sometimes consumerism calls. To survive a voyage to CityStars, I knew that I would need to wear comfortable shoes and allow myself plenty of pick-me-up snacks. Feeling dejected after a handful of horrifying fitting-room debacles, I wandered past Café Supreme. My tired legs were drawn like magnets to the luscious leather chairs, which spill out into one of the mall's many well-lit atria. I plopped myself down and let the mellow rock music waft over me. Since Café Supreme is open to the rest of the mall, it doesn't quite provide a full escape from the world of shopping. But even though my chair was bumped a few times by shoppers swishing by, the café is nothing like the frenzied food court upstairs. In fact, the décor of Café Supreme has a wonderfully soothing effect. Sinking back in a dangerously comfortable chair (I almost fell asleep waiting for my food), I watched the café employees prepare drinks behind the dark wood and chrome counter. The walls are simply covered in white tiles. I especially enjoyed the light fixtures: a combination of minimalist units and glitzy black chandeliers. While impressive, the selection on Café Supreme's menu is slightly overwhelming. The Canadian coffee chain, which has recently opened branches across the Middle East, offers breakfast foods, lots of salads and sandwiches, and endless coffee and non-coffee beverages. The sandwiches, cooked in various oven contraptions behind the counter, looked tasty. I was in the mood for a salad, but I was disappointed to see that it was already in the refrigerator case, pre-made and waiting to be ordered. Instead I opted for a piece of chocolate pound cake, highly recommended by my attentive waiter. Who am I kidding? I wanted the cake all along. Without any request on my part, the cake came out warmed and gooey. The sleek plate was dusted in chocolate flakes that, when melted, were a great addition. A few bites of the cake were slightly dry, but overall it was yummy. The cake was at its best when dipped into my piping hot cappuccino. Café Supreme boasts that it uses only organic milk. All of the coffees can also be made decaf, which is not to be taken for granted in Cairo cafés. The coffee didn't have enough foam for my tastes, but it did the trick and perked me right up. Just as I was cleaning the crumbs on my plate, I spotted an even more tempting dessert at the next table. My two neighbours were sharing a peanut butter brownie sundae, with two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. They saw me lusting after their treat, and invited me to have a bite. Boy was I glad that they wouldn't take no for an answer. It was decadent and delicious. One of them was also sipping away at Café Supreme's signature fruit concoction, which includes avocado and is topped with whipped cream and honey. I didn't ask for a taste, but she told me it was "absolutely lovely". After finishing my snack and saying goodbye to my generous new friends, I returned to the daunting task of CityStars navigation with newfound determination and energy. On my way out, I received a card saying that if I buy seven coffees, the eighth is free. Though it's hard for me to even imagine shopping seven more times in my life, knowing I have Café Supreme as a refuelling station makes the mall experience more relaxing and a whole lot tastier. Café Supreme CityStars, Entrance 7 Tel: 010 549 2747 Coffee and cake for one: LE25
