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Johnny
Carino’s In the Nile City
By
Dr. Maged El-Bialy
You might have
heard of Johnny Carino’s before. Johnny Carino’s has finally
arrived in Cairo. You can find this fine Italian restaurant,
“Johnny  Carino’s”, in the Nile City Boat. It is among three
other restaurants, Studio Misr, The Fish Market and Sundeck Café.
Over the last three months, Johnny Carino’s has become the most
popular restaurant on the Nile City Boat. The restaurant has an
outdoors seating area and another one indoors. Indoors or
outdoors, both are enjoyable. You can sit and enjoy the summer
breeze and the passing by feluccas outside. The seats are
comfortable and the tables are well spaced out to give the guests
privacy. As for hospitality, you are served in a five star
fashion. All the waiters were friendly and quite hospitable with a
lovely smile. The orders were a little late but may be because at
night the place is packed with guests all anxious to eat what they
ordered. Johnny Carino's outdoor section is shared with the Fish
Market restaurant but both blend in beautifully to hide the
contrast of each restaurant menu. If you prefer to sit indoors,
then you will enjoy the live show of cooks doing their magic in
the open kitchen. Indoors, Johnny Carino’s is very cozy. There
are large windowpanes that overlook the Nile so you can still
enjoy the view.
For the menu there is a great variety of Italian dishes to choose
from. The menu varies from soups and salads to main dishes and
sandwiches. If you are wandering if there are pizza’s well you
will definitely find a variety which range from 14 L.E to 20 L.E (U.S$
3-5). As for the salads you can order the Caesar’s Salad or the
more luscious but rather expensive shrimp and artichoke salad.
Fried calamari is a delicacy at Johnny Carino's yet the amount
needs to be increased to be satisfying. However fried calamari is
perfect in quantity for an appetizer.
If you plan to have lunch at Johnny Carino’s then check out
their special lunch menu and you can enjoy a nice Ravioli or an
Egg plant permesean. Whether you are having lunch or dinner the
Johnny’s Combo cannot be missed. You get a huge plate of
spaghetti, Lasagna and a juicy piece of chicken permesean. For my
order I took a special favorite of mine that I did not find in any
Italian restaurant around Cairo, Chicken Milano. This plate can
either come for a single person or for two. Chicken Milano is
composed of chicken medallions topped with turkey ham, provolone,
basil and mushrooms and is served with fettuccine Alfredo. Take
care this plate is extremely filling. They do serve cold beers at
Johnny Carino’s but that seems to be the only alcohol served. I
did not spot any menu for drinks, not even soft drinks. However
there are free refills of soft drinks (about US$ 1).
There are kiddy rides and arcade games for the kids to enjoy as
well as face painting and silhouette drawing. However one drawback
in Johnny Carino’s is the music and entertainment. The music was
distant and could not be heard and that was the only source of
entertainment in the place. Parking is a hassle and it is better
if you park your car away from the designated parking area or you
could just take a taxi. Nile City is located in Zamalik under
sixth of October Bridge.
Finally, I was able to catch a few words with the manger of Johnny
Carino's. Ibtesam AKA “Sam” was a very friendly person. I
thank her for allowing me to take a couple of photos of the
restaurant, after I promised her to keep the guests out of the
photos. This was because her main concern was that some guests do
not like to be photographed. I think that is hospitality in a way.
But you can find a friendly crowd anywhere.
Sam
is the first and the current manager if Johnny Carino's and on
asking her if the place was easy to run she answered, “Not that
easy but enjoyable”.
In conclusion, Johnny Carino’s is considered a hot spot in Cairo
at the moment. The atmosphere is nice and the hospitality is
wonderful. The music is terrible but who cares about music when
you have a beautiful view of the Nile. For L.E 100 (US$ 25) two
persons each can have a main dish one appetizer (to be shared) and
a soft drink each. You judge the value for the money. Dr. Maged El
Bialy
Johnny
Carino’s Country Italian Restaurant
Zamalik, next to the 6th of October bridge,
Tel: 202-7353094
Email: johhnycarinos@link.net
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