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

After shopping at Metro Market on Ismail Mohamed
Street in Zamalek, don’t be surprised if you turn the corner and find the sweet smell of cheese tickling your
nose. La Fromagerie opened its doors close to the Flamenco Hotel, welcoming you in for a tour of cheese and dairy products from all around the world. This is the third branch of the shop to open in Egypt, after the branches in Sharm El Sheikh and Maadi.

The brand new shop is
bright and super clean, and products are carefully sorted on the shelves and in
the fridges. Once you’re drawn into the shop; bear in mind that you won’t have
much time to yourself. A staff member will follow you as you shop, asking you what
you need, and giving you any explanation you require about the product.

At first glance, you
might notice only cheese and the bakery corner, which is located upstairs. But
if you pay attention, you will discover that La Fromagerie offers a wide range
of products that will satisfy all your wishes, such as the rare Italian pasta
De Cecco racchette and galletti (21LE). Korean pasta, tea and biscuits are also
available.

Success will be
guaranteed if you invite some guests and want to amaze them with a
French-Italian-style dinner. For those looking for pork, the wide choice of
cold cuts allows you to prepare an assorted platter of Mortadella (300LE/kg),
Prosciutto di Parma (600LE/kg) and Greek bacon (450LE/kg).

The available cheeses
will definitely live up to your expectations. Italian cheeses include Gorgonzola
(180LE/kg), Grana Padano (140LE/kg), and Provolone Piccante (125LE/kg). French
cheeses include Bresse Bleu (275LE/kg), Rambol aux Herbes/Saumon (295LE/kg) and
Buche de chèvre (185LE/kg). For something less sophisticated, you can opt for
the more common Président cheese in different flavours (37LE) or Caprice des
Dieux (65LE).

La Fromagerie buys
frozen bread directly from France and bakes it in front of you. Tickle your
palate with a warm regular baguette (13LE), a rustique one (15LE), or one with
olives (20LE). This reviewer has a weakness for the Pain au Lard (20LE),
a soft loaf of warm bread with little cubes of smoked bacon.

Why not close the
dinner with the magical Italian dessert of Tiramisu? The original Savoiardi
Vincenzovo (19LE) are available as well as the Mascarpone (40LE).

A whole shelf is
dedicated to seasoning, including Spanish Fargata Olive Oil (48LE), Italian
Ponti white and red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar (26LE), and Balsamico
di Modena (40.50LE). Even health-conscious people will find their happiness with low-sugar Stute cherry,
raspberry, strawberry, and apricot jam (37LE).

On the shop’s second
floor, fifteen Haagen-Dazs flavours are waiting for you, with one scoop priced
at 12LE. La Fromagerie also prepares take-away sandwiches with any product of
your choice.