The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

From the people behind the high-end restaurants Lexie’s, Kazoku, and Shinko, first, there was Sachi. This exclusive contemporary dining concept opened up in Heliopolis in 2014 and quickly became a big hit, so it was about time that Sheikh Zayed got in on the action. The Cairo nightlife scene is becoming more extensive and exciting by the second; that’s why trying the latest “It” spot was a delightful must.

Clear Espresso Martini (left) and Passion Fruit Caipirinha (right)

The rooftop venue at Park Street boasts panoramic views of Sheikh Zayed City’s horizon, which is particularly beautiful during sunset. Sachi’s ambience is unmatched; you are embraced by the fancy granite walls, classy dim lights, and the breezy outdoors area as soon as you set foot inside. The place is elegantly spacious, with seating options varying from high tables, regular tables, and bar seats – both indoors and outdoors. Reservations are preferred, especially at night; however, we went before sunset for early dinner and drinks, so it wasn’t a problem.

We got our menus and began to browse the drinks for our first round of drinks. We started with two signature beverages the staff recommended: a Clear Espresso Martini (265 LE) and a Sachi Thyme Gimlet (385 LE) – thyme spirit, lime agave, bitters and olive oil. Both drinks were spot on; the martini had the perfect balance of tasty, boozy, and bitter, while the gimlet had a fanciful aromatic herbed flavour from the thyme and olive oil that was out of this world.

For our second round, the drinks were accompanied by Arancini (240 LE) from the appetiser menu – Fried rice balls with duck ragu and tataki. The ragu was flavourful, and the arancini balls were pleasantly cheesy on the inside, perfectly complementing our Apple Pie Martini (265 LE) and Passion Fruit Caipirinha (315 LE) – Cachaca, passion fruit, lime, with Ouzo foam. Again, the two cocktails were a great hit; the fruity flavours and sour tones amplified the flavour palette, paving the way perfectly for our main courses.

The Duo Salmon

After much debate, most of the main course options are for two people, and since we wanted to diversify the experience, we went with sushi and the Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Chili (455 LE) from the robata menu. The spice mix and flavours were quite palatable, yet the shrimp’s texture leaned more towards the rubbery side than the desired sweet, mild, tender texture.

The brown butter carrot dish that came as a side was sizable, buttery, and pleasantly sweet. Then there was sushi; one order comes in eight pieces, so we got two: The Duo Salmon (200 LE) – seared salmon, crispy skin, avocado, and pickled carrots, and The Squid Roll (225 LE) – tempura with chilli butter, avocado, and truffle mayonnaise. The squid roll definitely took the win; the squid was perfectly fried, and the hint of spice with the earthiness of the truffle created a distinctive appetising taste. The sushi pieces were relatively smaller than what you regularly see at sushi joints, but it’s the size that makes them a great drinks companion.

Chocolate Lava

We finished our meal with one Chocolate Lava (215 LE) from the dessert menu – gluten-free chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and cotton candy. This dish was exquisite, from the presentation to the delicate citrusy undertones of the cake. Our waiter surprised us with a big plate of fluff then slowly started pouring hot liquid that melted the cotton candy, showing the cake and ice cream underneath.

All in all, our experience was more than joyous at Sachi’s new branch; the staff members were attentive and friendly, the drinks were enjoyable, the ambience was remarkably chic, and the food brought everything together. Sachi may be costly, but the overall atmosphere makes for a great night full of good vibes and even better service.