Page 59 - WDT Magazine Egypt

Lunches, also part of the tour package, were typi-
cal local cuisine, in selected family-owned restau-
rants. Our favorite was in Saqqara, in what looked
like a spacious outdoor backyard dining hall shaded
by a rustic thatched roof supported by hand-hewn
timbers. We were greeted by a trio of musicians who
played the same off-key tune as customers entered
the dining room, hoping each would toss a few coins
in the tip jar. Then they would sit down, smoke a
cigarette and wait for the next arrival. Same tune, dif-
ferent customer.
Near the entrance, women in traditional dress
tended an old clay oven where they cooked the
Egyptian flatbread called Aishe that we would enjoy
with our meal. Glancing at the filled tables, we could
see the place was filled with other tourists and their
guides – which doesn’t really mean that much other
than the guides get a free lunch. The diners seemed
to be enjoying themselves, the food on their tables
looked and smelled delightful, and most everyone
had a large beer in front of them. And after traips-
ing around dusty Saqqara in 100-degree heat for a
couple of hours, those beers looked might fine.
The beer proved spectacular, as was the traditional
Egyptian food that kept appearing at our table. We
started with hot and cold meze including hummus,
stuffed vine leaves with tahini sauce and koshary, a
mix of rice, macaroni and black lentils, tomato sauce,
fried onion, and chickpeas. The slightly charred
Aishe flatbread was hot and tasty and a great way to
scoop up tidbits on the plate.
Things got really interesting when the waiter set
what looked like a fancy hibachi grill and a platter of
raw meats and sausages on the table. No strangers
to tabletop cooking, we plunged into grilling the
lamb, beef, and chicken. Tasty! The kitten who joined
us at the table agreed, chowing down on the bits of
charred meat we shared.
Satisfied, we meandered back toward our van. The
trio spotted us immediately and began to pick up
their instruments. Ron signaled to them to sit back
down and tipped them handsomely for not playing
as we exited.

Ron and Mary enjoy an authentic
Egyptian meal after a busy morning
touring Cairo.

WINEDINEANDTRAVEL.COM 59