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

New restaurants in Cairo malls are raising the bar, far above the typical fast-food options. Catering to the yuppie crowd, Gaby’s has perfected a sleek and modern design throughout their eatery, located on the ground floor in phase two of Citystars.

Spread over two levels, the stylish white columns on the first floor create a sense of grandeur, as do the wood-accent walls which are mounted with transparent light boxes encasing colourful shrubbery. Contemporary canvas chairs, as well as charmingly kitschy antique armchairs and couches, give Gaby’s a casually chic vibe, whilst the atmosphere remains intimate with the use of warm lighting and alternative music. The second floor – the non-smoking section –  is inspired by New York’s Meatpacking District, with bare-brick walls and avant-garde paintings on display.

Making our way to our table, we were hospitably seated by our waiter who spared no time in bringing us menus and a complimentary bread basket filled with cheesy-breadsticks, miniature bread rolls, considerable slices of fresh rye bread and a small dipping bowl of Gaby’s exquisite homemade garlic butter.

While the menus themselves are rather small, the variety is surprisingly large. Gaby’s has sections dedicated to breakfast, soups and salads, appetizers, sandwiches, main courses, cocktails and juices, desserts, and even a gourmet kid’s menu.

Following the creative descriptions of the dishes, we ordered a plate of Crispy Bonbons (45LE); a thin layer of mashed potatoes packed over a mixture of cheddar cheese and spinach, deep-fried to a crispy golden brown. Served alongside Gaby’s ‘Special Sauce’, the Bonbons were individually skewered with brochettes for easy picking. Although we could hardly taste the potato, the mixture of aged cheddar and spinach was a creamy concoction that melded together beautifully. Gaby’s special sauce was also delicious, tasting like a homemade thousand island dressing, just with more flavours and textures than a generic shop-bought sauce.

After the mouth-whetting appetiser, we settled on a Southern Chicken Sandwich (60LE) and a Schnitzel (115LE). Housed within a freshly baked brioche, the Southern Chicken came with generous portions of roasted chicken strips, crispy beef bacon, arugula, tomatoes, Emmental cheese, and a spread of Gaby’s special sauce. A handful of crispy French Fries covered in a salt and herb blend was presented alongside. While the sandwich was not exceptionally unique, the chicken was well cooked whilst the arugula was crisp and incredibly fresh.

The Schnitzel was gorgeously presented in a long platter, served with creamy risotto and sprinkled with fresh parsley. The rich mushroom sauce was topped with thinly grilled sweet peppers whilst the highlight of the dish, the veal escalope, was incredibly tender and lightly breaded. Though the mushroom sauce was too salty for our liking, the risotto was a hearty meal all on its own and the meat was a wholesome version of a home-cooked meal.

For dessert, we decided on Gaby’s light, and decidedly average, House-made Mille-feuille (35LE); thin strips of pastry layered over a fruit jam filling, topped with powdered sugar and a large quantity of fresh fruit cubes.

As one of the newest additions to Citystars’ expansive restaurant directory, Gaby’s is sure to be popular among diners with its interesting dishes and gorgeous interior design.