Lush (garden) life

1

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

IMF mission arrives 1 October for Egypt's fifth, sixth review

Good morning, friends, and welcome to the weekend. We hope the cooler weather encourages us to venture outside and bask in the warm September sun before we prepare for a new week.

In this week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide, we’re listing down our favorite gardens and green areas in Greater Cairo. From vast gardens you can visit today to new ones on our radar, these are the outdoor escapes from a fast-paced life.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

?️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

ECONOMY-

The government completed a census of state-owned companies, which market watchers consider to be one of the most important steps yet in the state’s privatization program and a move that will shape the pipeline of IPOs that is said to hit the EGX in the coming weeks or so. The census will anchor the updated State Ownership Policy Document and guide decisions on which companies will be offered to investors as minority stake sales and IPOs.

ALSO- The IMF will send a mission on 1 October to wrap up its fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn Extended Fund Facility Arrangement, a senior government official told EnterpriseAM. Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) could add a further USD 274 mn to the total amount disbursed to us this fall, once the fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn Extended Fund Facility are approved, which Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk is optimistic about.

INVESTMENT WATCH-

An Egyptian-Saudi consortium is looking into setting up a USD 1 bn Downtown Cairoredevelopment project. The consortium includes Saudi’s Sumou Holding, its subsidiary Adeer International, and local players Midar and Hassan Allam. The project would tie into the Sovereign Fund of Egypt’s plans to offer up the Ministries Square area and Downtown assets to investors as part of its privatization and redevelopment push for the area.

ENERGY-

#1- Chevron and its Israeli Leviathan partners NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies inked a USD 610 mn agreement with pipeline operator Israel Natural Gas Lines to build the long-awaited Nitzana pipeline connecting Israel and Egypt. The 600 mn cubic feet a day (mcf/d) pipeline stretching 65 km between Israel’s southern gas network and Egypt’s gas network in eastern Sinai will bring Israel’s export capacity to Egypt to 2.2 bcf/d when construction wraps up in 2028.

#2- The Oil Ministry has inked three new oil and gas exploration agreements worth more than USD 121 mn across the Western Desert, Gulf of Suez, and North Sinai, according to a statement. The agreements include a USD 46 mn reassignment of the North Sinai Offshore area to Perenco Egypt to drill three wells with a USD 1 mn signature bonus; a USD 40.5 mn agreement with UAE’s Dragon Oil to drill three wells in East El Hamd, with a USD 4.5 mn bonus; and a USD 35 mn agreement with Apache to add five new exploration areas in the Western Desert, covering 14 wells and carrying a USD 25 mn bonus.

DIPLOMACY-

Egypt praised the UN General Assembly's vote to agree to steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The votes in support of the motion from 142 nations shows “compelling evidence of the widespread international support for legitimate Palestinian rights,” according to the statement.

TAX-

#1- The Finance Ministry kick-started community dialogue sessions on the second package of tax facilities set to launch in 4Q 2025, a senior government source told EnterpriseAM. Meetings were held with major accounting and tax consultancy firms to identify problems and challenges facing large local and foreign companies in preparation to address them in the new package.

#2- Gov’t scrapped plans to register foreign crude suppliers ahead of implementing recent VAT amendments that would see them face a 10% tax, three government sources told EnterpriseAM. Foreign firms will be exempt from e-invoicing; instead, they will submit a simplified request and a declaration of the quantities supplied to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). The VAT amendments also impact construction and contracting services, making them subject to the standard 14% VAT rate.

TOURISM-

The government is looking to increase the tourism sector’s annual revenue to USD 24.0 bn by the fiscal year 2028-2029, up over 40% from last fiscal year’s USD 16.7 bn, according to a government document detailing the National Tourism Development Strategy 2030 seen by EnterpriseAM. The targeted increase in revenues will be accompanied by a rise in tourist footfall to 30 mn by the end of the decade, up from 15.7 mn in 2024, and an increase in the average stay from 10.5 to 11 nights.

? AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

ALL EYES ON THE REGION- Israeli forces have once more intensified their ground offensive in Gaza City, despite international condemnation and a UN declaration that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. The attack is straining crucial regional relationships, most notably with Egypt. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi referred to Israel as “an enemy” during a speech at the Qatar summit yesterday — the first time an Egyptian leader has used such language since signing the peace treaty in 1979. (NYT | AP)

ALSO- Qatar’s emir has urged Arab and Muslim leaders to take “concrete steps” against Israel after missile strikes in Doha targeted Hamas leadership. In his speech during last week’s emergency Arab-Islamic summit, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani denounced the attack as “blatant, treacherous and cowardly” and accused Israel of waging a “genocidal war” on Palestinians. El Sisi attended the summit, where he delivered his own speech condemning Israel’s attack and expressing Egypt’s solidarity with Qatar.

MEANWHILE- Saudi Arabia has inked a strategic mutual defense pact with Pakistan — a move analysts see as Riyadh signalling it wants to diversify its security ties after the shock of last week’s Israeli strikes in Doha. The agreement commits the two countries to treat any attack on one as an attack on both. (Reuters | Washington Post | Financial Times)

OVER IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- Fed cut interest rates for the first time since December — a 25 bps move designed to shore up a labor market showing clear signs of strain. The cut fell short of the deeper reductions pushed by President Donald Trump. (Reuters | Bloomberg | Financial Times | New York Times | Wall Street Journal)

ALSO- Alphabet became the fourth US company to hit a market cap of USD 3 tn last week after shares hit a record USD 252 on Monday on the back of investor optimism following the company’s July results. (Financial Times | Reuters | CNBC | Bloomberg | Wall Street Journal)

AND- The Cyberspace Administration of China has ordered the state’s top technology firms to cancel all purchases of all artificial intelligence chips from US tech company Nvidia in a bid to cut down on US reliance. The news follows a ruling earlier this week which saw the East Asian state accuse Nvidia of violating the country’s anti-trust laws, following a “preliminary probe” into its business practices. (Financial Times)

OVER IN THE US- A New York judge dismissed two terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione — the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — while allowing other counts including second-degree murder to proceed. The high-profile case, which has attracted national and international attention since Thompson was shot outside a midtown Manhattan hotel in December, now heads toward trial with Mangione still facing a potential life sentence in state court and the death penalty on federal charges. (Financial Times | BBC | The Guardian | CNN | New York Times | Reuters)

MEANWHILE- Popular US late-night television show Jimmy Kimmel Live has been taken off air “indefinitely” following comments made earlier this week about the suspected assassin of popular podcaster and conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comedian and host alluded to the suspect’s — 22-year-old Tyler Robinson — support for US President Donald Trump’s Maga movement, and the administration’s subsequent attempts to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said on Monday.

ALSO WORTH NOTING- A wave of Gen Z revolutions is reshaping Asian politics, as youthful protesters from Nepal to Bangladesh and Indonesia mobilize social media platforms to topple entrenched leaders, demand transparency, and challenge corrupt elites. (Financial Times)

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

We’re in for a cool weekend, with temperatures in Cairo set to peak at 33°C before cooling down to 21°C over the weekend.

?️ HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Omar El Gamal is back with Ain Gamal for his 46th show at the 7th edition of MedFest. Join this interactive comedy night happening tonight. Head to Ticketsmarché for your tickets.

The iconic Myriam Fares is set to perform all-time favorites at Hacienda White’s Kiki’s Beach tonight. Don’t miss the final days of Sahel season — you can grab your tickets on Kiki’s website .

Tamer Ashour to join the lineup for Marassi’s Address Beach Resort celebrations tonight. Be where the fun is and sing along to his hits on Saudi National Day. Get your tickets on Ticketsmarché.

Get ready for this year’s Youth Summit: The Leap this weekend taking place tonight and tomorrow at AUC’s New Cairo campus. Expect interactive workshops, inspiring talks, collaborative opportunities, and even a live startup pitch competition — an opportunity the young ones don’t want to miss. Grab your tickets now on Ticketsmarché.

Mega stars Asala and Ahmed Saad are wrapping up the Marassi fun tomorrow. Don’t miss these exciting performances at Address Beach Resort and get your tickets at Ticketsmarché.

If you’re looking for your next vintage find, we’ve got some good news. Cairo Flea Market Streets Edition is kicking off the new thrifting season tomorrow at Zamalek’s Horreya Garden. The market is set to run from 10am to 10pm, and will feature everything from vintage finds to handcrafted treasures.

?️ HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

You have another shot at catching Tamer Ashour, who returns with yet another electrifying show at El Arena on Friday, 26 September. Get your tickets through Ticketsmarché.

Tamer Hosny and Disco Misr are set to fire up the stage at Hacienda White’s Galambo on Friday, 26 September to close out the Sahel season. Head to Ticketsmarché now before tickets sell out.

Your guide to Greater Cairo’s green spaces

? We’re saying goodbye to summer, and hello to a breezy fall. This time of the year, we’re filled with an inexplicable urge to go out, touch some grass, and bask in the mild warmth of the September sun before we find ourselves wearing five different layers and humming along to Mariah’s seasonal hits. But where do you go in Cairo when all you’re looking for is vast greenery?

PARKS AND RECREATION-

#1- AL ZOHRIYA GARDEN: Looking for a spot to enjoy your next novel or a quiet outing with loved ones? Overlooking the Nile in Zamalek, this serene garden offers a stunning, up-close view of the Cairo Tower. Built in the late 1800s during the reign of Khedive Ismail, Al Zohriya is popular for its calm atmosphere, towering trees, and rare plants — with some over 150 years old.

OPENING HOURS: The garden is open from 8am to 11pm daily, though opening hours may vary depending on the season.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 10 per person.

LOCATION: You’ll find Al Zohriya Garden at Al Burg Street, Zamalek.

#2- AL HORREYA GARDEN: Just a short walk away from Al Zohriya, Al Horreya is situated between the Qasr El Nil bridge and the Cairo Opera House. This garden was also founded during the reign of Khedive Ismail, and is one of Cairo’s most famous public gardens. It overlooks the Cairo Tower, the Nile, and the Opera House. The Garden features a stunning collection of rare plants and statues, including one of Ahmed Shawky. It’s a destination perfect for families, but it tends to get too crowded during public holidays.

OPENING HOURS: The garden is open from 9am to 10:30pm daily.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 20 per person.

LOCATION: You’ll find Al Horreya Garden at El Gezira Park, Zamalek.

#3- THE AQUARIUM GROTTO GARDEN: Yet another part of Khedive Ismail’s legacy and island favorite, the Aquarium Grotto has long been featured in films and series across Egyptian television history. If you’re a frequenter of Cairo Flea Market, you’ll be no stranger to this graden. Beyond the greenery and aquatic design, the graden offers a mystical experience as you tread its paths past water features and rare fish. It’s a great place for a long walk, or to simply sit and enjoy the sun — often alongside art students seeking inspiration.

OPENING HOURS: The garden is open from 9am to 5:30pm daily, though opening hours may vary depending on the season.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 5 per person.

LOCATION: You’ll find the Aquarium Grotto at El Gabalaya Street, Zamalek.

#4- OBOUR GARDEN: A short walk from the Grotto, this small park sits right on the Nile. Its towering trees and close proximity to the water set it apart. There are plenty of tables, chairs, and a café where you can enjoy a cup of tea or your beverage of choice.

OPENING HOURS: The Garden is open from 9am to 10pm daily.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 20 per person.

LOCATION: You’ll find the Aquarium Grotto at El Gabalaya Street, Zamalek.

#5- MAZHAR BOTANIC GARDEN: If you’re a West Cairo resident, you might have heard of the Mazhar Garden. Founded in the ‘50s by late artist Ahmed Mazhar, this garden is one of Giza’s most beautiful, spanning a vast area and housing a large collection of rare plants. Building on his father’s legacy, Shehab Mazhar has been adding rare plants and flowers from Egypt and beyond, making it an unmissable destination for both experienced botanists and those with a penchant for all that is beautiful.

OPENING HOURS: The garden is open from Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 4pm.

PRO TIP: You need to book your visit in advance by contacting the garden’s administration.

LOCATION: You’ll find Mazhar Botanic Garden on the 26th of July Corridor, Giza.

#6- FAMILY PARK: A prominent New Cairo landmark, Family Park spans a large area and offers a 360-recreational experience, from dining to rides, theatres, and special areas designated to art exhibitions and cultural events. Families can spend an entire day enjoying the greenery and plenty of diverse activities for both children and adults alike.

OPENING HOURS: The park is open daily from 9am to 10pm.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 30 per person. You can head to the park’s website to check prices for other activities.

LOCATION: You’ll find Family Park on Suez Road, New Cairo.

#7- MERRYLAND PARK: Heliopolis’ beating heart, Merryland is every resident’s muse, a sanctuary for those looking for a place to enjoy nature or get their 10k steps in. Merryland also hosts several workshops and activities, such as wood painting, and has several cafés and restaurants. You’ll typically find athletic Cairenes running around the park — both inside and outside its perimeter.

OPENING HOURS: The park is open from 9am to 12am daily.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 20 per person — EGP 30 on weekends and public holidays.

LOCATION: You’ll find Merryland Park in El-Montazah, Heliopolis.

#8- AL AZHAR PARK: Filled to the brim with rich history, and designed with Islamic gardens as its inspiration, Al Azhar Park is one that needs no introduction. An expansive park, it has been awarded several accolades, being recognized among the top 60 public spaces in the world. Al Azhar is a haven for Cairenes seeking a green escape and a destination for family outings. The park includes restaurants like Al Khan by Granita, offering stunning views of the city.

OPENING HOURS: The park is open from 9am to 10pm daily.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 35 per person — EGP 40 on weekends and public holidays.

LOCATION: You’ll find Al Azhar Park on Salah Salem Road.

#9- CHILD’S PARK: A popular park among Nasr City dwellers, the garden houses the Nasr City Public Library alongside its sprawling green spaces. You’ll find amusement rides, as well as many popular dining destinations and cafés such as Sushi & Co., Cinnabon, Caizo, TBS, and Dina Farms.

OPENING HOURS: The Garden is open from 10am to 10:30pm daily.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 20 per person. The food court does not require a ticket and has its own designated gate.

LOCATION: You’ll find Child’s Park on Makram Ebeid Street, Nasr City.

#10- ZED PARK: In just a short amount of time, Zed Park has cemented itself as one of Sheikh Zayed and October’s major landmarks. A famous recreational destination for those who want to spend a full day out, the park offers no shortage of greenery and breeze. Concerts and other events happen on the regular, and activities range from amusement rides to a variety of dining destinations.

OPENING HOURS: Zed Park is open from 3pm to 11pm daily, and Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 12am, though opening hours may vary depending on the season.

TICKET PRICE: Admission is EGP 250 per person, and you can book through the park’s website.

LOCATION: You’ll find ZED Park in El Horreya Road, Sheikh Zayed.

UPCOMING OPENINGS ON OUR RADAR-

#1- GIZA ZOO AND ORMAN GARDEN: Undergoing a comprehensive renovation plan since 2023, the Giza Zoo is one of the oldest and most historic parks in Africa. The plan aims to see it become a world-class zoo by improving enclosures and updating pathways while preserving its historical landmarks. The redevelopment plan will also see it connected with the Orman Garden via a tunnel, allowing visitors to enjoy a fully integrated experience.

WHEN TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR: A tentative opening date is slated for this month, but there’s a chance it might be delayed.

#2- AL FUSTAT PARK: Also currently undergoing redevelopment and expansion since 2021, Al Fustat is set to transform into a world-class tourist destination and cultural hub in the heart of Old Cairo. It’s expected to span over 500 acres, and will include entertainment, hospitality, and commercial areas — as well as a natural lake and verdant hills.

WHEN TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Finishing touches are being added, with completion expected later this September, according to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s recent announcement.

#3- AZBAKEYA GARDEN: Part of the government’s historical revival initiative, work on the Azbakeya garden is currently underway. The plan includes redeveloping the garden while preserving its historical essence and reviving the fountain, lake, and open-air theatre. An opening date, however, is yet to be announced.

Looking to double down and capitalize on the lush gardens and beautiful weather? Check out our guide to a perfect picnic in Cairo.

Attachment issues

? What’s worse than a regular toxic relationship? One where supernatural forces are involved. Directed by Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks, Together is Hollywood’s latest body horror film. It’s a simple premise: a man and a woman love each other so much that they fuse and become one person. Produced by and starring real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, the movie presents a viscerally uncomfortable nightmare that continues to haunt us long after we’ve left the theatre.

Too close for comfort: Tim (Franco) and partner Millie (Brie) have been together for six years. Tim’s love for Millie runs deep — so much so that Millie’s own brother believes he has completely submitted to her, allowing her to control his life. But what takes over their lives comes after they decide to move to a village on the edge of a forest when Millie accepts a teaching position at a local school, and a sudden bout of thirst during a hike costs the couple dearly when they resort to the resources at hand.

The film explores the horror of mutual dependency in toxic relationships. What unites Millie and Tim is a tumultuous love that bears no solid future. Tim is lazy, indecisive, and avoids responsibility. He relies on his partner excessively, and although she’s aware of his flaws, she just can’t bring herself to leave.

A healthy dose of Platonic myth: The philosopher once parroted a creation story that depicts humans as powerful, double-sided beings with two heads, four arms and legs, whose scorn of the gods earned them some good old-fashioned punishment from Zeus — he split them in half, creating two people from each original being. Since then, humans have been searching for their other half to become whole again. This philosophy is strongly present in the film, albeit presented through the lens of horror, as Millie and Tim find themselves becoming one — whether they like it or not.

Visceral with hints of dark comedy that were perhaps unintentional, Together offers a new perspective on the body horror genre. The scenes in which the two protagonists merge were a horrifying masterclass of acting, and practical and CGI effects. The chemistry between Franco and Brie was center stage, but Brie’s performance gave Franco a run for his money. Our only complaint is that some scenes came across as filler, lengthening a film that didn’t need to be lengthened in the first place — though we’re sure more well-versed cinephiles have theories on their value.

One more thing — this film might be plagiarized. FestStudio filed a lawsuit accusing Franco, Brie, and Shanks of plagiarizing the script from 2023 film Better Half. The lawsuit states that Together bears striking similarities in terms of events, plotlines, characters, and even the final scene. But Shanks contends that the idea for Together came to him in 2019, inspired by his personal experience of breaking up with a past partner.

Disclaimer: The film is graphic and contains many a disturbing scene, making it unsuitable for many moviegoers, especially those new to the body horror genre.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can catch Together at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, City Stars Cinema, and Scene Cinema at CFCM and District 5. The movie is also screening at Cima Arkan and Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:16).

The dark side of the Dutch countryside

? Shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, and recipient of the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction Award, The Safekeep by Dutch author Yael van der Wouden is a short novel that packs a mighty punch. In under 300 pages, van der Wouden presents an intriguing, bold, and at times jarring tale of two women at odds, who find themselves living with one another in an old family home in the Dutch countryside in the years following World War II.

Peace, disturbed: The novel begins with Isabel, a woman on the cusp of her thirties residing in her off-the-beaten-path countryside residence with her young maid. She spends her days alone, tending to her garden and her house. Her mother passes before the events of the novel — which take place in the Summer of 1961 — and her brothers have long left the nest to pursue their own lives. Isabel has crafted quite the mundane routine for herself, and the reader is quickly given the impression that any discrepancy from it would cause Isabel to spiral.

And spiral she does. Upon tending to her garden one day, Isabel nicks her finger on a broken shard of what turns out to be a dinner plate buried deep in the garden — one belonging to her late mother. Yet, her mother’s set is complete, she realizes. Disturbed, she boards a train to see her brother Hendrick, who naturally doesn’t think much of it, simply advising his sister not to blame it on the maid. Her brother’s words do not calm her, and she begins to ruminate over her house’s history.

An unwelcome guest: When Louis, a third sibling, joins Hendrick and Isabel, he’s accompanied by his partner Eva, a woman whose simple existence shocks Isabel. Eva is everything Isabel isn’t: confident, outspoken, and visually assertive, with bleached hair and tight, revealing fashion choices. More importantly, Isabel is suspicious of Eva, but cannot put her finger on why. The women exchange subtle hostilities — they’re not off to a good start to say the least, compounded by Isabel begrudgingly taking in Eva for the summer as her brother leaves to attend to business abroad.

It turns out that Isabel was never in a position to refuse, seeing as the house was technically Louis’. Eva begins to take up space — too much, in Isabel’s view — and Isabel finds herself in a living hell. To make matters worse, her mother’s heirlooms start going missing. But not all is as it seems, and the house’s dark history and connection to the war comes into play — we’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

As the weeks pass, the animosity intensifies to such a degree that it leaves room for something else to brew: obsession… and desire — though it’s not your typical enemies-to-lovers story. Soon begins a clandestine affair that culminates in a shocking third act reveal that throws the reader in for a loop.

The Safekeep is a beautifully written novel that holds myriad complexities within its pages. The writing is descriptive yet tact, and the characters are fully-fleshed out, with the dialogue feeling reel and unfiltered. It is, however, an explicit novel at times, so be advised. That said, it is not one you’ll want to miss out on, especially if historical fiction is a genre you can’t get enough of.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find The Safekeep at Bibliothek, or keep an eye out on Diwan for a restock of the paperback edition. You can also find the eBook on Amazon. Prefer audiobooks? The Safekeep is available on Storytel.

Blaze’s new concept at New Cairo’s KOV is a spark of genius

? For years and years, Blaze has been a sure-fire option for Cairenes on the hunt for a comfortable, low-stakes dining experience where good food and endless conversation are guaranteed. Earlier this year, Blaze decided to light a bigger fire, introducing a brand new concept in New Cairo — one that comes with an expanded international menu and an all-new shiny design.

Olive greens and brick reds. Located front and center at New Cairo’s KOV Mall, Blaze is hard to miss. The outdoor seating area is expansive, and features several patio sofas perfect for large gatherings, as well as comfortable, cozy set-ups for small ones. Should you choose to stay outdoors, you’ll be in for plenty of shade and breeze with an unobstructed view of the quiet city. But it’s the indoors that steal the spotlight. Swathed in olive greens and a soothing shade of burgundy, the design is one meant to be savored alongside your meal. The space is decorated with minimalist wall features, including theatre masks and cutlery.

The new aesthetic carries over to the menu. The new branch proudly boasts an upgraded menu — which, aside from having a shiny new design, also includes new appetite-whetting selections. For our latest visit, we decided to kick off our day with a calm breakfast. The menu has a little bit of everything, including English trays, oriental trays, benedicts, a curated selection of light breakfast dishes, and the restaurant’s new signature: the avocado and cherry tostada.

A few moments of deliberation later, we put in an order for the tostada, a traditional omelet, the mini pancake medley, and a cup of coffee — a flat white, to be precise. Unfortunately, we were awakened from our sweet dreams after finding out the pancakes were unavailable at the time. Still, we braved the devastation with hope in our hearts. Service was quick, and the coffee and both dishes soon materialized.

The tostada was definitely worthy of signature status, and the avocado, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese combo proved a mighty union. The dish also came with a side of sweet potato fries drizzled in honey, which quickly made up for the pancakes that remained MIA. The omelet, on the other hand, wasn’t anything special, but remains a solid option for those who prefer avoiding adventure when it comes to breakfast. The coffee was surprisingly strong and flavorful, giving us a much needed boost.

The meal proved delicious and the service swift, but we couldn’t help but feel a certain je-ne-sais-quoi was missing. That said, the new Blaze succeeds at offering a comfortable and visually-engaging experience, and for that alone, we’d recommend paying it a visit. If early mornings aren’t your cup of tea, you’ll be glad to hear that the restaurant offers a very promising (and affordable) all-day menu, with everything from smoked salmon bowls and truffle risottos to classic burgers and steaks — we’ll definitely be passing by for dinner on our next visit.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Blaze’s new concept at New Cairo’s KOV Mall.

? Per person: EGP 400-500

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

Silksong: Well worth the wait

? After 8 years of waiting, Silksong is finally here. Long-time devotees of Hollow Knight and Team Cherry rushed to buy one of the most anticipated games of the decade, breaking almost all online gaming stores for over an hour. Less than two weeks in, Silksong is already fourth on Steam’s top-selling and most-played charts, hitting some 580k concurrent players at its peak. Where was this review last week when Silksong dropped, you ask? Our resident gamers couldn’t put down the controllers, keyboards, and joycons long enough to write it up.

Its immense popularity is highly unusual for an indie game. Australia’s Team Cherry is made up of just three main developers, who started working on Silksong in 2018. They may have really (really) taken their time, but the result is a well-rounded masterpiece that puts many AAA games with 100-500 person developer teams to shame.

Players follow the titular Knight’s half-sister Hornet, kidnapped into the distant Pharloom Kingdom by soldiers of a mysterious monarch. True to her reputation as the resident badass, she wipes out the kidnappers, wielding her trusty needle and red cape to fight her way up to the Citadel and face her enemy head-on.

The story is a thinly veiled critique of blind faith. Pilgrims entangled in the Citadel’s web of silk make the harsh ascent up, with many losing their lives and/or minds to the holy journey. They mock Hornet’s skepticism and rage against her quips, refusing to believe that they’re in the grip of a cruel god who lures them in to feed on their husks. Like the first installment, the game rarely reveals its lore in an explicit way, but hides it in loose notes, subtle conversations with friends and foes alike, and evidence of past ages found in ruins and abandoned cellars.

The gameplay is a huge step up from the original. Hornet’s movement is silk-smooth (pun intended), featuring sprinting, gliding, back-flips and wall jumps, to name a few. Combat elements are tightly woven together, with the new system shifting focus from upgrading your firepower to experimenting with an endless combination of needle slashes, weaver skills, and mechanical tools, adding a much-needed strategic element to Hollow Knight’s combat.

Visual and audio design is where Silksong really shines. The handcrafted 2D world is a manifestation of genuine artistic vision, taking you from Shellwood’s lush green forests where leaves are conducted by the wind, to fiery underground mines, the royal courts of the Citadel, Mount Fay’s freezing summit, and Bilewater’s muck-filled water (spoiler: water-themed levels are never beating the allegations). Meanwhile, the immersive sound effects are underpinned by another orchestral soundtrack from Christopher Larkin that rivals or even tops the award-winning soundtrack of the original.

The only catch? It’s a little bit… evil. The game can be very challenging from the early stages, not to mention Act 2 (which almost gave us a mental breakdown). Walls and floors are out to get you, and even smaller enemies can drop you dead in seconds if you’re not paying attention. Exploring certain areas was a living nightmare, with platforming sections that make the aptly-named Path of Pain from the first installment feel like a walk in the park.

Although the early game was slightly balanced in recent patches (after we suffered the full brunt of it), we would still recommend playing and mastering Hollow Knight to better grasp the game’s design logic in the more-friendly Hallownest before you hop into the far more treacherous Pharloom.

? Rating: 9/10 on Steam.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 25 hrs for the main story, 50-70+ hrs for completionists.

? Replay value: 10/10 — the game has five endings (that we know of).

? Platforms: Steam for PC, Playstation, Switch, and Xbox.

? Price: USD 7.99 for the game in Egypt, USD 19.99 in other countries.

History and economy made entertaining

? The hidden side of everything: Launched in 2009 and having gained fame as an extension of the popular blog and book of the same name, Freakonomics by American journalist and author Stephen Dubner is a podcast that blurs the lines between storytelling and investigative journalism, with a particular focus on social sciences and economics. Dubner is the co-author of the viral book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, and the podcast — with over 900 episodes and a large following — follows in its namesake’s footsteps.

The show tackles a hodgepodge of issues, through which its creators explore what they call the “hidden side” of things. The show spans economics, psychology, sociology, public policy, and a variety of cultural phenomena and social issues such as poverty and corruption. The podcast also addresses certain unconventional questions, such as why we still use candles, and what makes a manager “bad.”

No rigid structure in sight. The episodes are fluid, comprising interviews and discussions with industry experts alongside a research-driven narrative approach. Freakonomics also publishes special series, multi-part investigations, and follows up with regular updates on hot topics — all delivered with a curious, contemplative tone. It’s an accessible podcast, with Dubner presenting complex topics in a not-so-complex manner and a dash of humor.

Farms race? What’s that? In one particularly engrossing episode, the podcast shines through with its ability to integrate economic analyses with historical context. The episode highlights a forgotten aspect of the Cold War, known as the Farms Race, which happened alongside the more notorious Space and Arms races. The episode dissects how a boom in US supermarket culture and agricultural advancements were weaponized throughout the length of the war.

With expert historians on board, listeners find out about the US government’s feats in the field, from the creation of hybrid corn to the construction of modern supply chain networks, which were used to flex the government’s capitalist muscles. The episode best represents the podcast’s ethos: placing major economic moments within their historical contexts.

Freakonomics stands out as one of the most prominent podcasts on a global scale. The podcast boasts a considerable audience, having received more than 100 mn downloads in 2020. Latest statistics from 2021 report around 2 mn downloads per episode. Its rating certainly backs these claims up, with a score of 4.5/5 from over 30k reviews on Apple Podcasts, making it an influential educational source.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

? SEPTEMBER

12-19 September (Friday-Friday): CIB Egyptian Squash Open at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

19 September (Friday): Tamer Ashour at The Address Beach Resort.

19 September (Friday): Myriam Fares at Kiki’s Beach.

19 September (Friday): Ain Gamal with Omar El Gamal at MedFest Egypt.

19-20 September (Friday-Saturday): Youth Summit: The Leap at The American University in Cairo.

20 September (Saturday): Assala and Ahmed Saad at The Address Beach Resort.

20 September (Saturday): Cairo Flea Market Streets Edition at Zamalek’s Horreya Garden.

20 September (Saturday): Adel Rahoumi’s Diversity art exhibition at Bibliothek.

21 September (Sunday): Diwan’s Climate Connect gathering at Consoleya.

26 September (Friday): Tamer Ashour at El Arena.

26 September (Friday): Tamer Hosny and Disco Misr at Hacienda White’s Galambo.

OCTOBER

1 October (Wednesday): Mo Amer Comedy Night at the New Capital.

3 October (Friday): Tamino at the Cairo International Convention Center.

5 October (Sunday): Medhat Saleh and Amal Maher at Abdeen Palace.

6 October (Monday): Armed forces day.

7 October (Tuesday): 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum 2025.

10 October (Friday): Anyma at The Great Pyramids.

15 October (Wednesday): Scorpions concert at New Capital.

15 October (Wednesday): Cairo Marathon early bird registration ends.

16-24 October (Thursday-Friday): Gouna Film Festival.

30 October - 7 November (Thursday-Friday): Cairo International Jazz Festival.

NOVEMBER

11 November - 7 December (Tuesday - Sunday): Forever is Now at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

DECEMBER

19 December (Friday): DJ Tiësto at the Giza Plateau.

JANUARY

30 January (Friday): Cairo Marathon normal registration ends.

FEBRUARY

6 February (Friday): Cairo Marathon at Heliopolis, Merryland Park.

Sections

About

Privacy & Support

Get EnterpriseAM daily

Lush (garden) life

An independent publication supported by

Today at a glance

IMF mission arrives 1 October for Egypt's fifth, sixth review

Related

Related

Your guide to Greater Cairo’s green spaces

Related