Candles and fire torches surround the pool, live music is in the air and couples or small groups of people sit enjoying the food. A light summer breeze makes the atmosphere perfect.
For the summer season, the Four Seasons Nile Plaza vamped up their pool side menu, creating a fusion of Moroccan, Indian, Middle Eastern and barbequed food. The best thing to do is order something from each of these menus; a burst of rich flavors to satisfy all your taste buds.
When you first arrive, the waiter dressed in a white galabeya and red tarboush brings you refreshment towels, Four Seasons style, and a menu with a small torch attached to it so you can read in the dim light.
The service is excellent as the specialized staff know what they are serving, and give you real recommendations based on experience.
The Moroccan choices include pigeon pastille, harira served with dates and “chebalica and couscous with caramelized onions and raisons.
Indian delights include Calcutta salad with tandoori chicken wings, lamb “Biriyani with yoghurt sauce and stuffed naan with cheese, minced meat or garlic.
The Middle Eastern selection is more familiar, featuring the usual Lebanese mezzas, fattoush and vine leaves.
Barbeque specials include beef tenderloin, grilled prawns and grilled hammour.
Starting with the Moroccan assortment of mezzas is highly recommended. It includes a variety of dips; one of which stands out, called “Tamatim Measil (sweet tomatos). The new Moroccan chef Amina Shamoody, explains that it is simply made out of tomatoes, sugar and cinnamon topped with honey. Try it with the freshly baked naan bread that comes out soft, yet crispy.
Among the Moroccan mezzas is a variety of pastry-based snacks similar to spring rolls. Each is filled with something different, whether that be minced meat or sea food.
Another recommended appetizer is the Cesar salad, made with strips of tenderloin beef instead of the traditional chicken or anchovies. It gives a new twist to the boring Cesar salad everyone has eaten a million times.
Don’t fill yourself up on the appetizers though, because the main dishes are huge. Maybe one for two starters would be enough. Most of the food is spectacular, especially from the Moroccan menu. The pastillia was full of soft layers of galash and sweet pigeons. The couscous comes in a beautiful ceramic platter – unfortunately you can’t take it home with you.
As for the food off the grill, the sea bass which is often the catch of the day, is perfect as it melts in your mouth like butter. It comes with spiced brown rice.
After such a big meal, Moroccan tea is perfect for digestion. The strong mint flavored tea is presented in classical Moroccan style with the proper pot and cups, by a woman wearing a lovely red ” tk chita (a Moroccan kaftan – their national dress).
For those who left room for dessert, highly unlikely considering the size of the meal, a diverse menu is offered. For the adventurous, try the soft chocolate cake with avocado crème Brule and mango sorbet. An acquired taste, you will either love it or hate it.
So here it is: A well-rounded, delicious meal full of flavor. Just make sure when you go you don’t eat anything heavy during the day. Plan to continue to eat light meals for the rest of the week to make up for the sinful, yet scrumptious, indulgence.
Arabian nights Four Seasons Cairo at Nile PlazaFor reservations call: (02) 791 7000
