When Tutti Matti first opened people didn’t know what to make of it and were probably surprised by their higher-than-average pricing, especially there are various cheaper spots down the street.
Tutti Matti is Italian for “all the people are crazy,” and they DID manage to get a crazy following. Suddenly, their balcony overlooking the tree-lined narrow Road 9 in Maadi was packed. Every single evening.
Slowly, their numbers began dwindling with the events of Egypt’s revolution and the stiff competition from roughly five new restaurants opening on the same street.
I spoke with one of the owners, Marie Mehany, months ago who excitedly told me that Tutti Matti’s concept was to offer high-quality ingredients and cooking. That explains their higher pricing, but their loyal following understands the price is worth it for real quality food.
A new menu has been in the works for a while now, but other changes have taken place: They switched out their comfortable but hard to clean canvas-covered sofas and low tables in their side open-air patio with stainless steel chairs and average café tables.
Natural-coloured wood, off-white cushioned wooden chairs and brick walls are particularly refreshing surroundings, especially considering the visually-noisy, dark settings other establishments gravitate towards.
Breakfast
Tutti Matti’s breakfast buffet is convenient if you are in a hurry or hungry and just want to jump into action. Two warm choices (sausage and eggs) and the rest are cold, continental-style.
But if you’ve got the time and the stomach space, go for the Colazione Tutti Matti!
An excellent deal at LE49 you get: Eggs of your choice, up to six stuffings for your eggs and three side dishes (recommend the beef bacon, hash potatoes and sautéed mushrooms or spinach).
Out comes the waiter with a huge white plate so large that two of them barely fit on a table - and only uncomfortably so.
Breakfast at Tutti Matti is served until … a glorious 2pm for sleeplovers.
They offer the typical American coffee, Turkish, espressos, macchiato, etc (which my Italian friend balked at for having to pay 16LE for) hot chocolate, teas, etc. ranging between 12 – 19. They also offer milkshakes, smoothies and frappés.
Notably, they chose to go with Nespresso - Nescafe’s answer to the espresso boom. I’ve had Nespresso elsewhere and it was sweet, yet strong. Maadi friends shook their head in disgust, telling me to stay away from Tutti Matti’s coffee - and when I had my cappuccino I understood why. If you like your coffee strong and bitter, this is the place for you.
In the end, this editor thinks that if Tutti Matti maintains their food quality and good service that they will be one of the restaurants that will survive and come out on top during the economic cold.
More about their menu
Their menu is broken down into proper course categories:
Antipasti (salads) go from LE35 – 55, with their insalata de formaggio d capra an interesting choice.
Zuppa (soups) range from LE18 – 49. Onion Creamy bisque with sautéed seafood is one of the choices that stands out.
Pastas are the most economical, between LE29 – 49, with the most unique being
Gorgonzola (blue cheese) rigatoni served with beef bacon and creamy gorgonzola sauce at LE39.
Risottos range from LE39 – 49, although it seems to be simply a short-grained rice and not a proper risotto. The calamari in the seafood risotto is soft and not chewy and the shrimp is clean decent-sized - thank you for not going cheapo.
I’ve ordered their quatro formaggio pizza (LE50), which was small but good on taste and ingredients. Their range for pizzas is LE35 for the Margherita – LE56 for fruit di mare.
They have a list for Secondi Piatti (second plate) and the Carne section allows you to choose your meat: grilled beef filet, striploin or rib eye (LE89 – 185) and served with your choice of sauce and garnish, including mushroom, blue cheese, mustard, and choice of mashed potatoes, veggies, etc. for your side.
They have absolutely great-sounding meat choices (LE69 – 115) other sides include rosemary roasted potato and pollo mozzarella.
On their Pesce (fish) menu, they include a sea bass, salmon and catch of the day, starting at LE80 -115.
Each of the items on the Dolce (dessert) menu are at LE35: fondue, chocolate crème brule, banana chocolate spring roll and crumble tart.
Sandwiches e Panini (LE29 – 39)
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Address
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49 Road 9
(Close to McDonald’s)
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District
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Maadi
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Hours
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7:00am – 1:00am
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Telephone
Delivery? Yes
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0227507750
01122500000
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Internet
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Yes
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Smoking
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Smoking permitted in outdoor areas only
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Price range
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Breakfast LE120 – 140 for two people
Dinner, varies greatly based on what you order
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Short link: