Ramadan is the month during which one's taste buds experience the epitome of extremes. From utter desperation for a sip of water throughout the day, to experiencing nothing short of a feast at night, it's the time of year when Muslims fast until they feast. Despite the scrumptious home-made food of family iftars and their Ramadan-spirit, family gatherings can be a little much, and evening is likely to bring on the temptation to hit the town. The Ramadan kheima (tent) is a traditional and much-loved concept. With the return of some tents, along with some brand new additions, this year offers an even greater variety of options for places to enjoy iftar or suhour. Fairmont Nile City's Bab el-Nil For the first time, Fairmont Nile City is channeling some of its creative glamor towards Cairo's summer Ramadan. You can enjoy iftar or suhour on the Bab el-Nil terrace. It's not only about food: tables are equipped with fun Ramadan toys as well. Chess, cards and the unavoidable ad-saturated TV channels will surround you starting from 9 PM. Taking the Ramadan spirit to the next level, this kheima is themed around Egyptian pop art, celebrating national culture with a series of fundraising events to support Operation Smile. 3anil at the Imperial Boat Deck A hot spot for the past six years, 3anil returns this Ramadan, boasting a new concept and new design. While the holy month inspires modesty, this tent is extremely tech-savvy, featuring several Playstations and laptops. 3alnil's strategic Nile-view location is a great escape from the harshness of the summer. A breezy, playful night can be ideal after a long, sunny food-less day. Sequoia Perched on the banks of the Nile, Sequoia is an ideal spot for gazing out at the lights of Cairo reflected in the Nile. Its white lounges allow you to relax, mingle and appease your appetite. This year, however, Sequoia dresses up for Ramadan in bright colors as a result of its partnership with the Hussein Nassar Design House. The kheima will also groove to a blend of Egyptian and Francophone tunes, while you sample--or rather feast on--what we've been told is a newly updated menu. Cairo Marriott Hotel The Marriott's palatial grounds offer a number of Ramadan-themed choices this year: Omar's Café, with its white walls decorated in folkloric garments and instruments; Roy's, most famous for its delicious burgers, is designing a special iftar buffet; and if you're a fan of the Marriott gardens, you can look forward to Egyptian Nights, which features oriental cuisine and live music. The roof-top Almaz Lounge is another option for suhour; also with live entertainment. Meshmeshya at Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers The Meshmeshya tent sits around the Fairmont's pool and green gardens--a very feng shui kheima experience. The cuisine is eclectic, aimed at satisfying a wide range of palettes. The Golden Nights suhour is expected to live up to its name, rendering your summer Ramadan nights truly golden and glamorous, frequently hosting celebrated Arab music performers on stage. Kempinski Nile Hotel The newest addition to Cairo's hotel scene, Kempinski Nile will take the opportunity of Ramadan to prove itself. Here, the holy month's festivities begin with an authentic Turkish iftar at the Ottoman-themed restaraunt, Osmanly. Options on the table include hot mezzas, tagines, soup and, of course, classic Turkish sweets. The hip Blue lounge also offers iftar, in addition to suhour on the roof. Four Seasons First Residence and First Mall The Four Seasons in Giza offers four different Ramadan iftar and suhour alternatives. At Aura, you can break your fast to live entertainment, or spend suhour munching and smoking shisha. Also available at Aura are private pergola packages for group gatherings that wish to make their own noise. Season, another hotel restaurant, offers an iftar menu and buffet. The First Mall's famous ground floor café, La Gourmandise, has also undergone an oriental makeover, also featuring live entertainment. Even the mall's sultry Indigo prepares an iftar buffet. Casper & Gambini's Emerging with a Ramadan special menu, Casper & Gambini's is another option for iftar. Fairmont Nile City's Bab el-Nil Fairmont Nile City, Corniche el-Nil, Ramlet Beaulac, Cairo For reservations call: +202 246 19633 3anil at the Imperial Boat Deck Imperial Boat, Zamalek, Cairo Tel: +202 2736 5796, +202 2736 5797 Sequoia Abu el-Feda Street, Zamalek, Cairo Tel: +202 2735 0014 Cairo Marriott Hotel 16, Saray el-Gezira Street, Zamalek, Cairo Tel: +202 2728 3000 Meshmeshya at Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers El-Shaheed Sayed Zakaria Street, Heliopolis, Cairo For reservations call: +202 2267 7730/40 Hotline: 16989 Kempinski Nile Hotel Corniche el-Nil, Garden City, Cairo Tel: +202 2798 0000 Four Seasons First Residence and First Mall 35 Giza Street, Cairo Tel: +202 3567 1600 Casper & Gambini's CityStars & CityStars Terrace Tel: +202 2480 2410 Nile City Towers Tel: +202 2461 9201
