(Photo from Alchemy Facebook Page)
It’s official: I have finally found somewhere to have a good Bloody Mary in Cairo.
Cheekily dubbed “There’s Something Bloody About Mary,” every Saturday, Alchemy on Oman Square in Dokki, is serving up an-all day brunch that goes miles above the competition. With offerings ranging from steak and eggs with mashed potatoes, burgers and fries, oatmeal, and pancakes, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Did I mention the Bloody Marys?
Brought to you by the people behind Cairo Jazz Club, Alchemy serves up bloodies, available by the glass or pitcher that rival any I have had anywhere. Tangy, sweet, spicy, and made with premium Stolichnaya vodka, the cocktails are the perfect combination for a Saturday afternoon malaise. Other members of my party were equally impressed with the mojitos—dressed up with pomegranate juice for a Middle Eastern twist.
The food, too, impressed. I had the steak and eggs, and Alchemy was the first restaurant that I’ve been to in Cairo that was willing to cook my steak rare, the way I like it. The blueberry pancakes were a definite highlight, and a sure recommendation. The wait staff was also accommodating when several members of my party asked for substitutions. They got it right, and there was no extra charge.
The portions at Alchemy’s brunch were portioned right for an earlier afternoon meal and priced accordingly. Brunch rival Blackstone serves large portions with a price to match, and everyone knows that breakfast food makes for terrible leftovers. Not to mention that their Bloody Marys aren’t even in the same league.
Were there shortcomings? Sure. The roasted tomato garnishes—not necessary, but a nice touch—were little more than charred on the outside and cold on the inside. The hollandaise sauce, featured on the turkey eggs benedict and accompanying the steak was cold and congealed, like something from a jar. But the flaws were few and far between, and didn’t overshadow great service and food done right.
Adding to the ambience, the interior of Alchemy features a combined gilded-Ancient Greek-medieval theme that somehow works. Each Saturday, Alchemy displays artwork from a featured artist. November’s artist on display, sculptor Nathan Doss, is the talent behind the Greek drama-inspired masks that line Alchemey’s walls. His featured sculptures, though modern, embody man’s eternal struggle. Did I mention the Bloody Marys?
Brunch at Alchemy is highly recommended. The food, drinks, and service are all top-notch—a rare trifecta in Cairo. It starts at noon and goes all day. To get the party started, go to Alchemy on Tuesday and Thursday nights when the crowd is most happening.
