By Jonathan Spollen First Published: July 14, 2007
Mojito lounge bar, on the roof of the Nile Hilton
It seems every other day a new restaurant or bar opens up in Cairo. Some bring something new and exciting to the city; others simply try to make a quick buck off the growing appetite for foreign cuisine and trendy nightspots. New rooftop locations, however, are always a welcome addition.
‘El-Mojito,’ on the roof of the Nile Hilton, is the latest. An outdoor lounge-bar and restaurant, Mojito gives the Latin experience a five-star makeover. Lively Latino tunes chime out around a chic, open-air lounge area, comprising hardwood tables and chairs, and tiled floors. The feel is more garden patio than hotel eatery.
An entire half of the Hilton’s roof is occupied by El-Mojito, meaning guests are treated to a panoramic view of the city. On one side you have Tahrir Square and Downtown, and on the other, a view over the Nile, Zamalek, and the Western side of Cairo. My guest and I were somewhat disappointed then, that from our table, and from those around us, the scenery was obstructed by high tables and other obstacles that run along the sides of the lounge.
But the scenery before us was just as interesting. Business picked up quickly after we arrived, and with it, the atmosphere. Most people came in parties of four or more, what Mojito’s spacious layout is ideally suited to. The crowd included Egyptians, ex-pats, guests, and more, all determined to have a great time.
Laughter and dancing under the warm night sky, far from the horn-honking chaos below; we could have been in Havana, Cuba, or Guadalajara, Mexico. The only giveaway was the flashing Arabic Coke sign in Tahrir.
Our minds turned to tapas. Rather than order main courses we opted for several of these small, savoury dishes, which looked wonderful on the menu. But given what we had seen so far, we were surprised by the quality of the food. The chicken and pineapple kebabs (LE 24), vegetable tempura (LE 26), Spanish omelette (LE 22), and pan-fried mushrooms on toast (LE 21) — a signature tapas dish — were all uniformly bland. Only the diced tomatoes and garlic on bruschetta (LE 20) had any flavour.
There are plenty of other eating options though. Main courses include sea bass (LE 70), shrimps (LE 110), chicken breast (LE 45), and beef (LE 77), and there are soups and salads to choose from as well. And with several more tapas available (mostly LE 20-30), the Egyptian fondness for appetizers is well accounted for. The service at Mojito is friendly and efficient too.
The drinks menu is fairly standard — juices, soft drinks, beers, wines — and includes a number of speciality cocktails.
Our evening at El-Mojito’s was for the most part very enjoyable, but the emphasis is really on the music and dancing, rather than the food. The layout as well could be more integrated — as it is the atmosphere is good, but it could be great if people were closer together.
Still, El-Mojito’s location and Latino vibrancy, make it an ideal place to while away the balmy summer evenings, enjoying a flair not originally from Egypt, but one that comes naturally to it.
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