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

Having been
around for more than thirty years, Chez Gabi ‘Au Ritrovo’ is considered one of
Alexandria’s gems and oldest surviving dining spots. Think of it as the Pub 28
or The Cellar of Alexandria; where nothing beats the consistently good food,
service and nostalgic atmosphere.

Formerly
known as ‘Au Ritrovo’, Chez Gabi was bought up by Mr. Gabi from its Greek owners,
transforming a family-run pizzeria for three decades. Past the wooden doors and
windows adorned with Italian red and green checked curtains, the restaurant has
a bar with wooden stools on the right. Vintage posters, fer forgé light
fixtures and old copper iron sets adorn the restaurant’s interior. With
Italian, Greek and French classic pop hits playing in the background and tables
covered in the same red and green checked fabric, the restaurant is frequented
by many locals and foreigners, for its reasonably priced and quality pizzas.

Using the
freshest buffalo mozzarella cheese, pizza dough and pasta made from scratch,
all of the items on the menu will leave you satisfied and curious to try more. For
starters, we had a house specialty called the champignon royale: a sizzling
gratin of mushrooms and shrimps baked in the oven and covered in fluffy
hollandaise sauce. We also sampled the carpaccio salad with fresh arugula and
grated parmesan cheese, the signature samasem pizzas (more like micro pizzas) and
perfectly round cheese balls, all of which range between 20LE and 45LE.

Their pasta
list includes penne with salmon (45LE), penne ritrovo with seafood (42LE), risotto
with saffron (22LE), ravioli with mushrooms (34LE) and their signature uvecci (2LE),
which is vermicelli cooked in either a red, herby sauce, minced meat or with
béchamel in the oven.

Their pizza
menu holds a large variety for both carnivorous and vegetarian selections alike.
Named after Gabi’s family members and friends, some pizzas are not to be missed,
including the pizza giggio (ham), pizza sohelino (aubergine), pizza roxy (chicken)
and pizza gaby (fresh sausage and roast beef), all at excellent prices ranging
between 26LE and 36LE.  

Their
signature main dishes cost around 50LE, including the escalope giggio with
cheese and cream; the veal romeo, a very interesting mixture of veal, shrimps,
artichokes topped with sauce hollandaise; and the saltimbuca alla romana: beef
medallion cutlets covered in slices of ham and bathed in white wine sauce.

Chez Gabi
also serves local wines and beers, ranging between 95LE to 100LE for a bottle
of wine and 20LE to 25LE for a beer.