Seasons Sharm

Booked solid for the holidays since spring, but if you’re in Sharm and want a reserved, exclusive alternative to the frenetic hub of Na’ama Bay, head straight to the Seasons Sharm Resort. Il Frantoio offers a huge multi-course meal with your choice of entreé. The $150 price tag attached could be a bit hefty for some, but hey, tomorrow’s payday so why not splurge? Your money will be well spent on oven-baked lobster, thyme-scented red mullet and an interesting ravioli with duck in foie gras and pomegranate sauce. If duck’s not for you, opt for the pan-roasted tenderloin of beef caramelized with mustard seeds and brown sugar and served with lentils and black truffle sauce. Chestnut parfaits, cinnamon-milk chocolate pudding and sweet mandarin custard end the magnificent meal. Fork out a little extra and opt for the New Year’s Eve Buffet Ballroom that will set you back $195. Eat your fill and then some from the multitude of well-stocked stations that include a sushi and sashimi bar, Mediterranean antipasti bar, cold Oriental mezza stop and seafood ice bar. There’s even a special table for home-smoked salmon and an enormous bowl of Thai seafood salad. Pastries, Indian delicacies, Oriental fare and a “festive Iranian-style slow-roasted baby lamb filled with aromatic rice and honey yogurt walnut raita” are also in the offer. Prices are subject to 12 percent service charge and applicable sales taxes. For reservations and information, Tel: (069) 603-555.

Pavarotti

This delightful Italian eatery is a little-known contender for a New Year’s get-together, but it’s a great alternative for larger groups looking for their own private party. Guests will have a choice of two set menus, one featuring seafood, the other meat-based. A DJ will entertain as soon as doors open at 9pm. For more information and reservations, Tel: 303-8696.

Bua Khao

Subdued and exclusive, Bua Khao’s small New Year’s Eve party will star a surprise new seafood dish featuring Korean coconut milk. The Thai meal will be seafood-based, including a selection of delectable seafood salads, although diners can order from the delicious à la carte offerings. Dinner is served starting 6pm. For reservations, contact the restaurant at 378-3355. Bua Khao may also be offering its traditional buffet (including a sample of regular menu items) at the Cairo Marriott, but at time of press there had been no confirmation.

Egypt Today Archives Golden Pharaoh and Nile Pharaoh boats

Seasons Residence

Opulent Four Seasons at the Residence offers two dining extraordinaires this holiday season. Seasons will do a whopping seven-course menu while Lai Thai will also be offering a multi-course bonanza, both priced at LE 750. Bands will entertain at both venues, which will be decked out in holiday decorations. The Season’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner features salmon, lobster bisque and Dover sole followed by veal fillet with shallot-thyme strudel then tea or coffee with a sinful 2005 chocolate selection. Lai Thai’s set menu will include five appetizer samplers: salmon, beef or seafood salads, soup, curry and a main dish of seabass, and duck or stir-fried seafood to choose from. A chef’s dessert sampler ends the meal. Guests can dance the night away after their meal, if they can find the energy after such a rich meal.

Sangria/Absolut

Promises to be the biggest bash in town, if last year’s massive success is anything to go by. There’ll be one of two set menus at Sangria to choose from then guests can make their way downstairs for some serious boogying until the wee hours of 2005. Dinner starts at 10pm and you can make reservations now. Sister restaurants Tabasco and Abu El Sid will have smaller parties, with both set and a la carte menus to choose from. Opening the first week of this month is the hottest party venue of the capital, Finca Besayar, where an estimated 1,300 guests are expected on opening night. Definitely keep an eye on that one. Tel: 579-6512/1, for information and reservations.

After Eight

They say the best things in life are free, and this is the proprietor of After Eight’s philosophy for the upcoming New Year’s Eve. No entrance fees, no tickets, just good food and great music do a smashing party make. There will be a minimum charge however (as yet unannounced), but there’ll be no special set menu priced in the 100s. Largish groups should consider reservations though as the popular space is sure to fill up quickly with regulars and non-regulars alike out for a good time. At time of press, After Eight was still negotiating with bands and performers, but definitely heading the lineup will be favorite high-energy jazz act Riff Band. For more information and reservations, Tel: 574-0855 / 576-5199.

Heliopolis Inter-Con City Stars

The newest and most ambitious hotel property in the capital gives you a choice of three outlets to spend the last hours of 2004. At Maestro there’ll be a set menu priced at LE 350 with regular house music for entertainment. Special festival decorations will festoon the room. Fayruz opens its doors at 10pm, and diners will have to take the set menu as a la carte options will not be available. Also LE 350. An Oriental takht with singer entertain until 2:30am and at midnight belly dancer Shams will ring in the New Year. Bellini opens at 3pm for late lunch/early dinner. Menu is à la carte, but a special New Year’s Eve platter will be promoted on the 31st. Traditional New Year’s decorations and DJ until closing hours. For reservation and information, Tel: 480-0100.

Nile Pharaoh and Golden Pharaoh

This year the Oberoi-operated luxury boats offer you four enchanting hours adrift on the Nile. A great night for romance and also the perfect family outing. Diners can feast on their choice of set menu (available options will be ready by mid-month) while enjoying the terrific view and an exciting lineup of entertainment features. There’ll be a band and belly dancer during the meal followed by a visit from Santa, lottery and tombola with a free gift for the lucky winner. Western and Oriental bands will be playing and there’ll also be a traditional tannoura performance. Special rates for groups. For more information and reservations, Tel: 570-1333.

Cairo Jazz Club

Plans here were all a bit hush-hush at time of press, the proprietor wanting to give first dibs to Jazz Club regulars. What you can know for sure is that come New Year’s Eve at the popular Mohandiseen haunt, there’ll be light music all night with DJ Sundial spinning the latest tracks. No confirmation as yet about band performances but the casual setup promises at least to be casual as usual. No plans either for a set menu, just the regular greats of the traditional-with-a-twist menu we all know and love. For more information, call after the first week of the month, Tel: 345-9939.

Raoucha and Kandahar

Go Lebanese or Indian this New Year’s Eve, or even go both high up above the bustle of Mohandiseen at Raoucha and Kandahar. Seating only up to 70 guests, this is a great venue to rent out for that perfectly exclusive party. The Lebanese community have been known to have thrown many a party here, but if you want a piece of the action, make reservations today. There’ll be a set menu to choose from but guests can create their own from the Indian and Lebanese menus in advance. Entertainment will be in the form of a band or DJ and a tombola will also be held. For details and reservations, Tel: 570-1333.  et