Maxime's

Maxime's is on the main tourist hotel road, to the south of the town (left as you face the Nile from the East Bank), just beyond the Isis hotel and on the same side of the road, above a jeweller called Madonna. Look out for Maxime written high up on the side wall of the restaurant.

The restaurant was refurbished in 2004. It now has two dining floors, with a kitchen on the third, and much more capacity than before.

The furniture is basic but fine; the table linen and decorations are fresh and the staff attentive.

In the 'good old days' Maximes and 7Days were automaatic choices for a large proportion of british visitors. Maximes used to be known for good meals, generous portions and really low prices. It was famed in particular for its steaks, with a good range of sauces, which were typically LE27. But from 2009 prices here increased substantially. Now most of the same steaks are LE62 - LE65, which is a huge increase in a relatively few years and makes them more expensive than at many nearby quality restaurants.

Soups start at LE10, salads at LE6 and there are desserts from LE10. The menu includes egyptian and international main courses, including meat, fish, poultry and vegetarian selections and some options not commonly seen at other restaurants. There are international meat-based main courses from LE30, but mostly in the LE35 - LE40 range and a good choice of fish meals are LE35 - LE52. Try the grilled fish in saffron sauce at LE35. Two can easily enjoy three courses with a soft drink (from LE8) for under LE150. Maximes is not licensed, so no alcohol is available. As well as full meals, Maxime's serves snacks, such as pastas, from LE25.

Most dishes are reasonably well cooked, especially the fish courses and the steaks, but we have been disappointed with anything that is deep-fried including the breaded chicken. Presentation is average but portions are fair.

If you are careful what you order, Maxime's is a reasonably safe bet and still fair, if no longer exceptional, value for money; a popular choice for those who prefer not to spend the little extra for better quality at somewhere like Snobs. However, following the increases in prices it has lost its major edge. It is also beginning to lose out to nearby 'value' competition from the likes of King Tut, and increasingly from the higher-cost restaurants as well. So it is OK, but no longer an automatic choice.

 

Review updated Jan 2012
Prices at Oct 2011
Tel: (002) (95) 2386315
Mobile 0106070538