Product Launches

Best known for its processed cheese and frozen fish products, El-Sakr Group has launched a line of juices under the Twist brand name (LE 4.75 for 1 liter, LE 1.25 for a drinking box).

Twist offers up all the favorites — mango, guava, orange, cocktail and so on — in both sizes. Disappointingly, like most of the country’s boxed juices, this is actually a line of “nectars,” which is to say, not really juice at all, but rather (in the case of the pineapple variety) 40 percent juice, plus water, sugar and the other additives. Props to the pineapple, though: Most pineapple nectars lose their punch in the processing; in this case, Twist is definitely an improvement. While we’d still prefer the real thing, Twist may have won a second-best.

In the last few years, cereal bars have become increasingly popular in the United States. A close relative of the granola bar, they’ve been touted as breakfast on-the-go and somehow seem more suitable and more substantial for the morning meal. While we’re weary of their breakfast potential, they certainly sound like a good snack, and we were excited to hear that Temmy’s had created a cereal bar of its own.

As it turns out, finding Temmy’s cereal bars (LE 1 each) is no small feat. After searching grocery stores, convenience stores and import shops across Zamalek, Maadi and Downtown, we found only one small store in Garden City that was, thankfully, well stocked with six different varieties of the snacks: Fruit Loops, Yogurt Flakes, Power Flakes, Choco Puffs, Date & Raisin Muesli and Pineapple & Papaya Granola bars.

Temmy’s cereal bars are quite sweet — too sweet, really, for breakfast, but perfect for an afternoon sugar rush and, like breakfast cereals, “enriched with vitamins, minerals and milk.” The Choco Flakes and Fruit Loops bars both come sandwiched around a layer of ‘milk,’ which tastes suspiciously like icing. The result is a sort of flavored Rice Krispie-style treat.

Nicolè A. Staab

For our money, the best of the bunch are the Yogurt Flakes. The slightly salty corn flakes are complemented by a layer of vanilla yogurt filling, also icing-like, but with a somewhat tangy yogurt flavor.

All in all, Temmy’s cereal bars are a welcome addition to the local market. It’s particularly nice to see, at last, locally produced granola bars. Here’s hoping they spread their wings beyond just Garden City.

Think: dinner theater with a Nile view. A large screen propped against the Downtown Cairo skyline, the river passing below, a well-dressed waiter bringing you shisha and kebabs. Perched atop the Cairo Marriott, the Almaz Cinema has struck the perfect balance of entertainment and ambience, food and fun.

One local blogger noted that it didn’t even matter what movie was playing — it was just a great experience. Almaz is located on a terraced rooftop, allowing each table an unobscured view of the screen, which features popular Egyptian movies (foreigners note: no subtitles here). There is no fee for the film itself, but there’s a LE 50 minimum for the evening (LE 62 after tax and service charges), which goes towards dinner, snacks or shisha.

Pamper yourself this Eid in the Eden of Soma Bay

Almaz offers a full menu, ranging from soups and salads to sandwiches and grills to mouth-watering desserts and beverages.

During Ramadan, however, the cinema turns into something different. No longer are you at the mercy of the crowd when it comes to mousalsal viewing. Open for iftar and sohour, Almaz features private screens and remote controls for each table — meaning you and your dining companions are in complete control of your evening’s entertainment.

The menu will feature oriental cuisine; at press time, the menu and hours for Ramadan had not been set.

In their own words: “Our konafas are definitely full of passion, love, talent and affection.” But who is this, claiming to be the nation’s new konafa gurus? The answer is none other than the upstart www.konafa.com.

Why order homemade konafa from these guys? Well, for starters, they back their claims with the following statement: “Do you know why your grandma’s cooking is incomparable? Do you know why people prefer eating homemade Oriental meals? When your mother or grandma cooks for you, she doesn’t only mix ingredients together. What she also does is put her passion, emotions and love into the meal.” Cute, I think.

Konafa.com is highly specialized, serving just two homemade specialties: konafa and cheesecake. The konafas come in one size (large) and three different flavors: cream and qeshta (LE 45), siamy with banana (tailor-made for Coptic fasting at LE 50) and pistachio (LE 45). The latter comes highly recommended, or as they claim on their website: “This is one of the most delicious dessert dishes I have ever tasted. Now you can get it homemade, rather [than] from a street pastry shop.”

The cheesecake, on the other hand — a much simpler affair, suitable for up to 12 people, depending on appetite and height-weight ratio — comes either plain (LE 75) or with raspberry topping (LE 85).One drawback though: Limited quantities of the products are available daily, so you have to place your order one day in advance. But the upside of this is that delivery reaches even the far corners of the capital. Plus, you just can’t beat online konafa ordering — if only for the idea of it.

If you’re not so web-savvy, you can place your order by phone: +2 (010) 565-5531 or +2 (02) 258-0240 (during the day). Payment is cash on delivery.

The self-proclaimed Barons of Konafa launched their services with the start of Ramadan and will continue after the Holy Month is over.

Spend the Eid in luxury and style in Soma Bay. Known for its perfect year-round climate, its fantastic snorkeling and diving and one of the best golf courses in the country, this secluded community makes for the perfect Eid getaway on the Red Sea.

Soma Bay is just 45 kilometers from Hurghada Airport; stay at one of its five-star resorts, and your transportation from the airport and back is taken care of.

Golf enthusiasts should stay at La Residence des Cascades (tel: +2 (065) 354-2333), which boasts a golf course designed by Gary Player. Five-stars include the InterContinental Abu Soma (tel: +2 (065) 326-0700), which has stables full of Arabian horses, and Sheraton Soma Bay (tel: +2 (065) 354-5915).

Itching for some post-Eid shopping? Italy’s just a short flight away. November can be a little chilly (averaging between seven and 17 degrees Celsius) and wet, but the shopping cannot be beat.

While Milan remains the uncontested fashion capital of Italy, Rome has outlets featuring its northern cousin’s brands, as well as a flavor of its own. Experienced shoppers can visit McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in Castel Romano, just 25 kilometers south of Rome — the more faint-hearted might find it overwhelming. The enormous complex boasts best brands from Italy and abroad.

While in Rome, don’t miss Via del Corso, Via Condotti and the famed Spanish steps.  et