Eating Our Way Through New York Part 2, Dine Like an Egyptian

While in New York, enjoying our "feastival" of food, we decided what better place to cross another country off our list than the Big Apple?

Once we had fully rested and digested from our afternoon in Queens, we set out to find the very place where we could dine like an Egyptian.

Stepping out of the cab (read: taking no chances this time) in front of Casa La Femme, we were instantly grateful for the beautifully warm night as we took in the open-air quality of the restaurant front. Large floor-to-ceiling windows slid open for an al fresco feel, inviting the evening’s gentle breeze as diners relaxed in extravagant armchairs and swirled candlelight round in their wine glasses.

The outdoors vibe did not stop there, however, as we stepped inside onto a real, wall-to-wall grass floor covering that extended through the entire lounge area.


Casa La Femme offers a prix fixe and an ala carte menu and seats their dining room according to which is preferred. The lounge, with grass floor, low tables, large cushioned chairs and imposing fireplace, is dedicated to ala carte diners, whereas the booths in the slightly raised rear dining area, individually tented with white organza, are reserved for those partaking in the four course prix fixe experience.

Since we had already spent the day stuffing our faces, we opted for simply sharing a few drinks, a few apps, and the warmth of each other’s company.

While everything we tasted wad delicious, my one complaint was that our waitress tried too hard to sell us on the higher ticket items, to the point that one could easily believe the only available options were the $20 cocktail or the $200 bottle of wine. Not to mention that if even a simple glass of ice water is dressed up with fresh mint and lime, it should not be offensive to ask for one. Regardless, it would have taken more than a pushy sales technique to ruin an evening we were determined to enjoy.

A highlight of the dishes of Northern Egypt, we first picked from the menu the gibnah domiaty, a mild, creamy Egyptian sheep’s milk cheese served with warm, sesame pita bread. Brushed with oregano, salt and olive oil and a staple of any Egyptian meal, the generous portion of bread did not last long once tasted with a hunk or two of the cheese, which turned out to be akin to a delicate feta.

Next, an order of kofta, or Middle Eastern meatballs, made with sweet lump crab, shrimp and leeks, with a citrus-tossed salad of carrot, bell pepper and scallion spooned on top. Moist and deftly spiced, the kofta made me rethink a few of my preconceived notions about crab cakes.


To satisfy the remains of our appetites, we next ordered the sogo, a spicy Alexandrian sausage served with a red onion and tomato salad, a cucumber yogurt “zabadi” sauce, and pita. Once again, the small bites were packed with big flavor and did not disappoint.


As we sat back and relaxed after our light meal with a hookah and our toes in the grass, figuratively speaking, the evening’s entertainment began. As the music cranked on, a costumed belly dancer weaved and bent and twirled her way through the restaurant. Although some might consider it kitsch, I have a fondness for belly dancing that steams from my mother and grandmother who both used to practice the same sinewy gyration, so I for one enjoyed the show.

With another country added to our whirlwind of a day, we still had the following day and Adam’s super secret dinner surprise to look forward to, so stay tuned for the third and final installment of our Eating Our Way Through New York adventure.