Radio Cairo

Radio Cairo
83 Spofforth Street, Cremorne NSW 2090

Looks empty, but we were in early for the Cinema Hour Special

Radio Cairo is that same old restaurant you pass by, constantly promising yourself that you'll "get there some day", but never do.

It stands out in an area that doesn't have much to show off, akin to Justin Bieber in an era of woeful pop music... oh wait...no, no that doesn't make sense, it's all woeful. I went to Radio Cairo a few years back and it's been long overdue for a second serving, and I'm glad I made the trip back.

The cuisine at Radio Cairo is an *OMG run and hide from the word* fusion of Moroccan & African flavours with a little USA-Southern spice, where you can find anything from a curry to cous cous, sticky barbecued ribs to the adorably delightful "popcorn shrimp".  With that, we started our night with the ostensibly named "Bongo Bread", which unfortunately made no musical sound whatsoever, and this happened to make me a little angry. Angry enough to eat it in fact, and happily enough this distant cousin of the personal pan pizza did make sweet, sweet music to the taste buds. Covered with cheese and a pinch of fresh tomato salsa, it was a good way to start.

The "Bongo Bread"... liars.

Choosing a main course at Radio Cairo is easily the most difficult part of the experience, as frankly everything just sounds so...damn...good. It's a place to take friends and order a multitude of items so as to guarantee yourself a bit of everything. Tonight my past experience was calling out "Lamb Shanks, sloooow-cooked lamb shanks!" but instead we settled on the Grilled Lamb Mechoui and the Kenyan Beef & Potato Curry. The cute and cuddly popcorn shrimp were crying out, but alas there was no room on this table, especially not after ordering a large bowl of the, step back and throw down your arms people... cous cous. No seriously. We're being rebels tonight.

Grilled Lamb Mechoui - Lamb Skewers served with yoghurt dipping sauce

First out of the mains, the Lamb Mechoui is a modest plate of grilled lamb strips tossed in smoky Moroccan spices and served with a tangy yoghurt dipping sauce. How could you go wrong? The lamb was tender and subtly spiced, balanced nicely by a cool and refreshing yoghurt sauce, bravo.

The Kenyan Beef & Potato curry was, on account of all two of us at the table, fantastic. A tomato based curry not unlike an Indian style Masala or Vindaloo. In fact, I likened this version to that of a slightly milder Beef Vindaloo that thankfully doesn't lead to hours upon hours of self-aided bowel reconstruction and uncontrollable profanity. In other words, tasty!

Kenyan Beef & Potato Curry - No profanity here!

Finally, I honestly never thought it'd come to this, me writing an entire paragraph hailing a dish like cous cous, but the delicate pasta deserves at least a few sentences. To put it simply, Radio Cairo's cous cous tends to beg the question, "why can't my cous cous be this light, fluffy and flavoursome? Damn you Ainsley Harriott, I did add butter!" Whilst I'm not going to hold a welcome-to-my-life parade for it as otherwise suggested by this eulogy, the tomato base and citrus flavour really stand out in Cairo's cous cous, along with the soft and smooth texture. A great accompaniment for any main course.

The Cous Cous - to be awarded a prize for the best dish EVER.... err... no, just the Cous Cous.

Radio Cairo is an oft-neglected gemstone of the North Shore restaurant circuit and definitely deserves a visit, by you, your family, or anyone you love. Take advantage of the Cinema Hour discount (20% off if you're out by 7pm) or bring a group of friends and make a night of it, either way you can't go wrong. Unless you forget to order the cous cous.

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