for something quieter, try hanging out at marriott zamalek in indoor/outdoor garden area, or in the little cafe across the 26th of July street (opposite marriott) called cilantro. there's also a nice restaurant (morroccan style decor) that serves good shisha/egyptian food that's frequented by expats (so you won't feel odd if you go eat by yourself). it's called abu seid. just look for/ask for the diwan bookstore in zamalek (on 26th of july road). the bookstore is on a corner - turn right off the main street to this smaller street and look at the first bldg to your right. it'll have a massive wooden door (but you may not see any name). that's the restaurant. that little area is always hopping wt people trying to do the egyptian version of valet parking..so just ask someone to point you to it.

try emailing debbie on the scoop in heliopolis- she lives there.

taxi rates depend on if you know where you're going and if you know your way around... i haven't done heliopolis-downtown in taxi in a long time, but i would guess anywhere btw. LE 25-35, depending on traffic and if you know where you're going. At least double that if you're catching the taxi right at the hotel.