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

Amidst the drama of Cairo’s hustle and
bustle, occasionally a little gem like Alto’s Bistro at Seasons Country Club
can seduce you away with an evening of wining and dining.
Located across from City View on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road, the
five-star club is only a twenty-minute or so drive from Haram. Alto’s Bistro is
open to non-members, and despite its high prices, this is a restaurant that
everyone must try.

The menu is an eclectic mix of
international cuisine that covers a whole range of dishes. There’s a heavy
sprinkling of seafood across the whole menu, starting with the appetisers,
which range from 22LE to 110LE. This reviewer highly recommends the
tempura mussels (48LE); the generous serving is big enough to share and the
batter is almost as good as the mussels themselves. The appetisers menu also
lists fried calamari, coconut battered shrimp, baked brie, and at 110LE, the most
expensive item; tempura scallops.

Though they looked and tasted like spring
rolls, the duck dumplings are also worth a try. The duck was well-seasoned and
cooked to a perfect pink. A range of salads is also available for 28LE to 40LE,
including the Greek and rocket variety, as well as an Asian noodle salad that
can be a light main course by itself with its delicious combination of shrimp
and vegetable with rice noodles. Seafood continues to dominate with a selection
of mussel and clam bowls for between 60LE and 70LE with a range of sauces
including sweet chilli, creamy garlic, or Indian dark rum curry.

At 190LE, the Australian rib eye is pricey,
but is as good a serving of beef as any in Cairo. It was cooked a little rarer
than ordered, but it was still tender and hearty.  The beef stroganoff (125LE) was a little
disappointing; the sauce was richer than expected, and drowned what was
otherwise a decent serving of wholesome meat. However, the excess sauce did jazz
up the portion of bland egg noodles accompanying the dish. Other main courses
include braised lamb shanks (155LE), a seafood platter (170LE) and a seafood
spaghetti (160LE), as well as fresh salmon fillet (105LE) and fish and chips
(70LE).

Dessert options are few, but make up for
it in variety. Parting with 46LE will get you a large serving of peanut butter
fudge brownie, while 45LE gets you apple walnut cake, both of which were a
little dry, and failed to live up to their billing. Other gluttonous desserts include peach
cobbler (30LE), strawberry shortbread (32LE), lemon icebox pie (32LE), and
mocha rum cheesecake (36LE). Drinks are
plentiful and reasonably priced compared to the food menu; grab a beer for 20LE
to 25LE, or a glass of wine for between 30LE and 50LE.

The quality of the food alone is enough to
warrant a visit to Alto’s Bistro. Add to that the prompt and excellent service
of the staff, the subtle class of the decor, and the pleasant surroundings of
Seasons Country Club, and you have the complete Cairo dining experience.