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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 February 2000 Issue No. 469 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 February 2000 Issue No. 469
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Tickled pink
By Injy El-KashefThis is not the first visit we pay to the rejuvenated Merryland (nor will it be the last). After all, there are several restaurants in the park, each worthy of individual attention. The first visit was nocturnal, when the weather was still warm enough for that, and when the excitement of the newly reopened premises was at its peak. This time, however, our meal was accompanied by one of the most beautiful sunsets ever witnessed in the city.
When we arrived at Pasta Basta eager for a wholesome, regrettably filling and delicious meal, the sun was still high enough to shed an orange glow on the park, the flamingoes, the ducks and the artificial pond.
Deciding which table to sit at took some time because of the new plague that has been creeping over Cairo for the past few years and which has now established itself as the latest environmentally unfriendly reality we all must learn to live with (as if the environment did not suffer enough already in our part of the planet): the reference here is to the infamous spread of the shisha. As has become our tactical habit, we first undertake a reconnaissance mission of the restaurant, checking for possible hideouts from the smoke. As soon as one is spotted, we begin to assess the direction of the wind and see if the assault on our comfort may be entirely or just partially avoided. Once this procedure is over, we just sit and see on whose side the odds will be.
The sky by now had turned a fierce pink, and an unconscious process of association made me think: 'Salmon. I must have something with salmon.' Penne Al Salmone was to accompany a Scaloppine Al Limone and Penne Alla Crema di Funghi would do the same for my dining companion's Filetto Al Pepe Verde. The Penne Al Salmone was a great idea: a rich, perfectly seasoned, creamy white sauce, was in total harmony with the deliciously fresh salmon chunks. The funghi version was not as impressive: half as creamy, half as rich and half the quantity of sauce. The Filetto, on the other hand, was exactly right (although there was not a single pepe in sight, green or any other colour), while my Scaloppine left an essential ingredient to be desired: the lemon.
Words are often misleading, however. We did enjoy our food, so much so that we had hoovered our plates before the sun had completely set.
For dessert we opted for items on the Strawberry Festival menu rather than the regular menu (on which the Parfait Al Doppio Espresso seemed particularly enticing). Neither the Strawberry Charlotte nor the Strawberry Eclairs were available; the waiter decided to grace us with a bland Strawberry Mille Feuilles instead. The real treat was the Strawberry with Meringue and (strawberry) Ice Cream. For those who enjoy a little something with their coffee, several options are listed on the menu.
Dinner for two was LE140.
Pasta Basta, Merryland, Midan Roxy,
Heliopolis.
Tel: 451 2313-7
