Cairo According to: Frank Heinen & Mostafa El Saadany

Between the two of them, Frank Heinen and Mostafa El Saadany run some of Maadi’s Maadi-est spots: Estro, Tenaya, Ceryle, Ovio, and the beloved Frank & Co. The kinds of places where, if you’re not having a good time, you’re probably doing something wrong. Formally, they’re only partners on Tenaya. Informally, the duo have laboured together for nearly a decade to help shape Maadi’s nightlife and dining scene into what it is today. Needless to say, when they told us they wanted to share their Cairo with us, we could only say yes. This one’s for the Maadi folks.

Here, Mostafa tell us where Maadi you can find prehistoric dinosaur relics, Frank shouts out Cairo’s Belle Epoque buildings, and they both shamelessly plug their restaurants—but we’ll allow it.

What’s a place that means Cairo to you?

F: The Nile River, where I lived across in my first apartment, where I opened two hotels with Four Seasons during my early years in Egypt and now where we created a beautiful restaurant on its banks

M: The Cairo Citadel, a fortress that has witnessed significant historical events and like us Cairenes, still stands strong.

Complete the following: Cairo is…

F: Life.

M: For the driven.

Tell us about your neighbourhood.

About my neighbourhood:

F: Living in Maadi, lots of green and little pockets of services and entertainment within walking distance.

M: Maadi is the neighbourhood I was born and raised in and is also my favourite neighbourhood. Growing up I found it to be a microcosm of the world packed into one tiny green walkable suburb.

Your go-to food spots?

F: Estro, consistently good Italian food on the rooftop overlooking the Maadi skyline.

M: I always enjoy my meals at Tenaya Riverside Dining… Turning what was a concept between partners into a reality was a true labour of love. Between the expansive Nile views and the exquisite plates crafted by Ramadan El Saadany (culinary chef), Tenaya is an experience to say the least.

Your go-to cafés?

F: Frank & Co. great neighbourhood spot to meet friends.

M: Hopping through downtown’s cafés and bars on foot: Café Riche, Carol, The Greek Club, Estoril, Jade, and ending with a nightcap at The Nile Plaza Bar.

What isn’t a Cairo landmark but should be?

F: All the beautiful Belle Epoque buildings in Downtown, Garden City and Zamalek.

M: The Egyptian Geological Museum in Maadi houses prehistoric dinosaur relics which not many are aware of.

Tell us a song that feels like Cairo.

F: Shashkin – Omar Faruk Tekbilek

M: Enta Omri – Om Kulthum

What's a place in Cairo you both wish you could revisit for the first time?

F: Absolut Bar in Dokki.

M: The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on April 4, 2021. The day after the Pharaohs' Golden Parade.