Mirai: The Non-pretentious Foodie Experience

CAIRO - 8 May 2017: I am not one for artsy-looking dishes I can neither pronounce nor understand; so Asian is not normally my forte, neither is the modern fine dining scene. So when we were invited to try out Mirai I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether I would find something for my peculiar taste buds—and boy, was I wrong.

Mirai, located between Sequoia and Left Bank, is the epitome of non-pretentious fine dining that can satisfy diverse tastes and appetites, with a little something for everyone. You normally either get quality food or good portions; and you either get a menu you can clearly understand or fining dining. Mirai, truly, combined the best of the two worlds; a gourmet experience with freshly made delicious dishes to satisfy the foodie in you without having to leave the menu confused and the table half-hungry.

Mirai has a wide variety of dishes on its menu; ranging from sushi to classic Thai and a teppanyaki bar; so you’re bound to find something for even the niftiest members of your group or family.

The Asian fusion place, which opened in 2014, enjoys the perks of one of Zamalek’s best Nile spots, so it was inevitable to have outdoor seating as well as glass walls surrounding the indoor area so everyone can enjoy the view. We were greeted by a friendly waiter upon arrival who showed us to our table next to the big, welcoming Buddha-like statue. Opposite to us, at the far end of the restaurant, the teppanyaki chef was effortlessly chopping and throwing food around and just generally mesmerizing a boy watching closely as fire went up and down.

The place is dimly lit for dinner but enjoys abundance of natural morning lights for brunches. The interiors are heavy on wood, giving off a contemporary Asian vibe with modern lantern-like lighting hanging above the teppanyaki bar. It has an earthy feel that was made modern by sleek lines and simple décor.

The waiter quickly took our orders and then gave us our Chinese horoscope cards; my friend and I are apparently Ox, by the way. We were also handed little refreshing towels; always a good idea when you live in dusty Cairo.

We started off with the Dynamite Shrimps (LE 65); a good portion of deep-fried shrimps covered with dynamite sauce and served on a bed of fried breaded seaweed. The batter was crispy and the shrimps were well-cooked with a tiny bite to them and a yum sauce to dip it in.

I then ordered the Thai Green Curry Shrimp (LE 180), a traditional curry dish served with bamboo shoots, baby corn, zucchini and fresh basil leaves, and ordered the Vegetables Fried Rice (LE 40) to go with my main. The waiter informed me that the green curry is unavailable but suggested the red curry, which I gladly took. I opted for a milder version, and it came at just the right amount of spicy, with scrumptiously comforting creamy sauce, shrimps that were perfectly seasoned and cooked and a perfect bite to the vegetables swimming in the sauce. But what truly stood out in how deliciously simple it is was the fried rice; it wasn’t just a complementary dish, it stood on its own with a blend of aromatic flavors.

My friend opted for the The Harbor Set (LE 260), which features shrimp, calamari and fresh salmon cooked on the teppanyaki iron griddle and comes with miso soup, salad, grilled vegetables and either fried rice or fried noodles. Her dish was cooked to perfection, light, quite generous in its helpings and bursting with flavor.

We were both too full for dessert, but came back from Mirai with happy bellies and good memories of a great view, a place that is quiet enough to actually have a conversation without being dull and good pictures with a great Nile view as our backdrop.