Jewel of the Nile

Laura has plenty of experience with restaurants in Luxor. She has had a hand in managing quite a few, including the well-known 7 Days 7 Ways, and can generally be relied on to leave them in better shape than she found them. Now Laura has opened her own restaurant with her husband Mahmoud. Their restaurant is called Jewel of the Nile.

Jewel of the Nile is a little off the beaten track, down the road opposite the Lotus hotel, past the better-known Snobs, Casablanca etc., across the main road and on a further hundred yards or so in the same direction. It is reasonably easy to find, following illuminated signs, and worth the effort.

The restaurant is quite small, but a more flexible shape than the corridor-like 7 Days and Casablanca, so does not feel as cramped. It is decorated in neutral colours with a hatch to the kitchen and a table that serves as a desk near the entrance. Laura looks after the customers and Mahmoud runs the kitchen. The mood is relaxed rather than formal, with plenty of chatter if you are up for it.

Jewel of the Nile

The tables are unusually deep. This is fine for larger groups, who have plenty of space for shared dishes in the middle, but couples and foursomes may feel rather too far from their opposite number for easy conversation, especially when the restaurant is busy. The tables also feel higher than normal. Not a problem for most people, but some people of shorter stature may need a cushion. Smoking is no longer allowed inside but there are some tables outside if you need to light up during or after a meal. This makes eating a much more pleasant experience, now that most of us are used to eating in a smoke-free environment, that some other small restaurants where there is no getting away from the smoke.

The restaurant is open most of the day, starting at 10am, so you could visit for breakfast, lunch and dinner as there are menu choices to suit most meals. Egg on toast is LE15, or an all-day full breakfast is LE25: omelettes for lunch are mostly between LE15 and LE20, or there is a range of other snacks, such as burgers if you prefer.

The focus of the main dinner menu is on Egyptian dishes such as tagen, shawerma and tawouk, but there are also traditional international dishes, including steaks, liver and cottage pie. A small selection of - again traditional - egyptian and international desserts are around LE15. Main course prices are in the mid range, so lower than Puddleduck, with its more novel choices and also slightly lower than the smarter, more formal, Snobs. A steak is LE40, or LE45 with sauce, but several other English dishes are around LE35. Most Egyptian meat-based meals are also LE35 but less for a vegetarian option. Generally, vegetarians are very well catered for and vegetarian menu items are marked with the familiar V. Like many restaurants, Sunday roast is offered, but, less usually, groups of 4 or more can pre-order a roast on other days as well. There is also a 4 course Egyptian set meal, with meat options, for LE60. Ideal if you want to try the local food but do not know what to order.

The lower prices do not mean lower quality. Mahmoud might be expected to prepare a good Egyptian option - and he does - but he also turns in an excellent steak and some of the best chips around!

It is refreshing to see new restaurants managing to maintain food and cooking quality when so many of the longer-standing ones have allowed their standards to slip. Laura and Mahmoud are off to an excellent start.