The Good Holiday.

 

So, you still want more? Here you go. Together with a host of other contributors, I now share responsible tourism stories from around the world on THE GOOD HOLIDAY. Here's how Daréll Lourens, the passionate film-maker behind the blog, describes the project:

TGH produces films in places that make an extra effort to involve and empower local communities. Our photographers take pictures in parts around the world that amaze with natural beauty and our writers string together sentences about destinations that inspire an inner knowledge that living well creates more abundance than living rich.

Do I need to say more?

Blackstone Bistro.

Yes, we all love mezze and a helping of tamia or koshary, but sometimes the only thing that makes us feel happy is a generous portion of greasy American goodness and a cold beer. If you ever should feel a similar craving, there's no better place than Blackstone Bistro in Zamalek where you can hide from the world in their cosy interior of dark wood and black-and-white prints with scenes from New York. There's always some mellow tune playing and the light at just the right dimness to immediately feel at home. Wherever that might be. Their French Onion Soup is always a winner to fill an empty tummy as is their homemade burger, which comes with sweet potato fries and coleslaw. If you're more on the healthy side, Blackstone also boasts a variety of unusual salads like the Blackstone Cobb with raisins and blue cheese. Oh, and don't forget to try their iced tea. And if you still can't get enough, simply come back tomorrow morning for a killer breakfast of Eggs Benedict and French Toast. Caramelized Banana Pecan Waffle anyone?

http://www.blackstonebistro.com

Maison Thomas.

When the afternoon light comes shining in at the Maison Thomas Zamalek branch and the racing green interior gets that chic glow, you can for a moment or two forget the mayhem happening outside. An intriguing mix of an English country pub, a French bistro, and an Italian trattoria, Maison Thomas is a beloved Cairo classic and has been a mainstay of the capital's culinary scene ever since the golden 20s. Come here for a leisurely lunch of pizza and salad on the way from a meeting or on the way into a well-deserved weekend and watch the chefs working away at doughs and toppings behind the glass partition that separates the seating area with its bar stools and high tables from the kitchen. Their signature delivery boxes in natural brown with the restaurant's timeless logo printed on top are stacked high on the wall behind the kitchen and payment counters, so don't be surprised to see a stream of delivery boys darting in and out of the place to cart the hot pizzas to customers around town. Close your visit in style with an espresso and a helping of their heavenly tiramisu. Adds a silver lining to even the bleakest of days.

http://www.elmenus.com/cairo/restaurants/maison-thomas-1519

Cairo Kitchen.

There's people who think that it's outright crazy to pay double or triple the price for something that can easily be had at a much lower cost a few block down the street. But then, these are probably people for whom food is all about affordability and taste. For us who also value attentive and friendly service, a homey atmosphere, beautiful design and clean tables, some savvy entrepreneurs invented Cairo Kitchen, the contemporary (and yes, somewhat posh) answer to Cairo's food carts that can be seen around town selling tamia, fool and grilled vegetables. Around town, four outlets welcome hungry guests with their signature mix of white-against-colour interiors and Mondrian-esque facades. Colourful light bulbs add to the quirky look and feel and you can easily pretend you've stepped into a never-ending summertime street festival. Charming! At the food counter you can choose between warm meals from molokheya to koshary and an array of salads, dips and appetizers, all served in rustic enamelware and oh-so delicious. Don't forget to try their great, bottomless juices and cordials! They also do deliveries (of course, this is Cairo!) and cater for smaller and larger functions.

Tired of eating out or ordering in? Thankfully, the guys behind Cairo Kitchen recently also developed a cookery book of the same name, wrapping Egypt's most beloved recipes into a gorgeous layout with pictures so heartbreakingly beautiful in its description of profane daily life in the city you might forget Cairo tends to look like a grey, Soviet-era nightmare way too often.

http://www.cairokitchen.com

Left Bank.

It shares the same great location with its sister establishment Sequoia around the corner, but rates are much more affordable, there is no stupid minimum charge and the whole atmosphere is much less pretentious. For us that's enough reason to pop in to Left Bank for a quick coffee and croissant or a light dinner whenever we are in the neighbourhood. They have great pizzas and salads and moreish desserts to end a good meal. Their tiramisu is especially divine. Add to this the eclectic mix of chandeliers made from old enamel bowls and salt shakers, good music playing in the background and a dash of mid-century Scandinavian design and you know why this is Zamalek's hipster hangout spot number one. It's part bohemian coffee house, part design hotel lobby and that makes it the perfect spot for some late afternoon people watching. If only the temperatures were less arctic...

www.facebook.com/leftbankonline

Le Deck.

At the Southern tip of Gezirah Island in the heart of Cairo one of the city's many dreadful hotel towers graces the Nile. Fortunately, the hoteliers at the Sofitel had the sensible idea to turn their part of the shore into a tranquil garden to offset the building. It is here that one finds the Sofitel's lounge-cum-restaurant Le Deck, the perfect spot for relaxed Saturday afternoons. Find yourself a comfy spot in the semi-shade under the canopy and order your first round of cold white. As the afternoon draws on, you might want to try the superb cold mezze. Think hoummos, baba ghanoush and bread fresh from the oven. The mixed platter is enough to share for three and keeps you busy while you soak in the flow of the Nile, the boats out on the water and the distant city noise. Here is the rowing club out for practice, there comes one of the neon-lit party fellucas. It's an ever-changing panorama. You might even spot the occasional bird that wants his share of the mezze. Although there is a minimum charge of LE150 per group, this is far less than at comparable places and sorted with the first bottle of wine anyway...

http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-5307-sofitel-cairo-el-gezirah/index.shtml