ponpon_ss
I had some business near the National Stadium and wanted to have lunch when I happened to find a restaurant with a sign that said "Arabic Cuisine." The interior was clean and spacious, adorned with paintings that evoked the Middle East. Since it was lunchtime, there were only a few customers when I entered, but quite a few people came in afterwards to enjoy Middle Eastern dishes. I was a bit indecisive about what to order, but I eventually chose the "Middle Eastern Plate," which allows you to enjoy a variety of dishes, along with "Koshari" topped with soft-boiled egg and cheese, and "Hummus," a chickpea paste.
The hummus was not at all bean-like in taste and paired well with olive oil. The Middle Eastern Plate was a fantastic deal, allowing you to enjoy eight different types of Middle Eastern cuisine in one dish. Everything was delicious, but lamb lovers would particularly enjoy it. The Middle Eastern Plate is available on weekdays from 3 PM and from lunchtime on weekends and holidays.
Along with the dishes, the staff brought two types of sauces: a tangy "Dakka" and a spicy "Shatta." Koshari, Egypt's national dish, might taste a bit bland on its own, featuring rice with macaroni, chickpeas, and lentils topped with fried onions and tomato sauce, but when you add Dakka and Shatta, the flavors become incredibly complex. These sauces were great! Shatta, in particular, complemented other dishes well.
By the way, Koshari consists of rice mixed with macaroni and short pasta, chickpeas, and lentils, different from pilaf, fried rice, or baked rice. The flavor from the tomato sauce is pronounced and delicious. We also enjoyed a glass each of red and white wine, which included Middle Eastern wines from Tunisia and Egypt. I had the impression that people in that region don't drink alcohol, so I was surprised to find wine available. Both wines were delightful, but the red wine from Tunisia stood out with its spicy and unique flavor.
Unexpectedly, I had a highly satisfying meal, making for a fulfilling lunch. Thank you for the wonderful food!