Tutti Italiano at Porta D’oro

? Italian cuisine is a familiar favorite — tried and tested, but not always mastered. Porta D’oro is one among many Italian restaurants in Cairo, but it holds its own. The contemporary dining spot offers a menu that stays faithful to the unique palate of Italy, covering all its bases. The restaurant doesn’t try too hard to stand out with experimental fusions or over-the-top branding — instead it opts for a subtle, comfortable dining experience in its rustic, cosy setting, and a menu that doesn’t overwhelm you with options you’ve never heard of before.

We started off with their mixed fried appetizer, a platter with fried onion rings, fried mozzarella sticks, and crispy chicken strips served with marinara sauce and cheese sauce. While there’s not much to write home about, the marinara sauce came to the rescue. The coatings on all the fried finger foods were lacking in seasoning, but the quality of the ingredients within was indisputable.

For our main dishes, we tested the classics. The chicken risotto — a signature Italian favorite — didn’t disappoint. We found plenty of tender bites of chicken smothered in a flavorful creamy white sauce and parmesan cheese, mixed in with proper al dente arborio rice. Aside from it being slightly less creamy than expected, this dish hit all the right notes. We had less of a satisfying experience with the lemon sauce chicken. While the poultry itself was tender and succulent, we were let down by what felt like an underseasoned and overcooked sauce — the star of the dish.

Tried and true: Porta D’oro’s menu boasts a nice selection of seafood dishes — their standout dynamite shrimp appetizer was a staple on most tables. The star of any Italian menu, the pizza is a popular item that you can find in all the classic flavors. For early risers, Porta D’oro’s variety-filled breakfast menu looks promising and could be a refreshing experience with Italian cuisine. While we haven’t tried it yet ourselves, you may beat us to the punch.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can head to Porta D’Oro at The Nox in New Cairo or Thawra Street in Dokki. You can also order in through Talabat.