The Nile Egyptian Flavours

While I wouldn’t put it on the same level as other Egyptian places I’ve been, The Nile offers a very alternative non-​Asian experience in the heart of Soho. Compared to the rest of the neighboring western spots, it feels like an easy going spot to enjoy drinks and a vegetarian friendly menu.
It is quite loungey at The Nile (as was its predecessor, The Wheel). So much to the point where I’ve drank here much more often than I’ve sampled food. The small puffer seats and smallish tables are better for drinks than platters of food. When the AC is on blast, it feels so cool and comfy that I could see myself nodding off here in the late night hours.
The food won’t knock anyone’s socks off. I’ve had better meat platters (kofta, rack of lamb, merguez sausages, etc.) elsewhere and for a lot less price wise. For a few platters and a drink, one could probably end up in the $ 300+ per person range (#1). The Nile may serve to be a better date venue than a casual, «let’s just get together and snack» kind of place, and I would steer clear of any groups beyond 6 – 8 people.
Service is always going to be outlier at places like this, though I’ve often believed the higher the price point, the better the service should be. It’s been a mixed bag for all of my experiences and as a result, I can’t give it better than 3 stars. I’m in Soho often enough to where I’d see myself coming back again and hopefully by then, The Nile (as opposed to Denial) will have improved.
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(#1) That Hollywood Road rent is no joke I’m sure.

So, we were told by a person who is actually from Egypt that this place is legit when it comes to Egyptian/​Mediterranean food. I guess he’s right because I wouldn’t know what authentic Egyptian food tastes like.
But to me, some dishes were really good, and some dishes were just OK. The pricing doesn’t match the food for some dishes. For example, the plate with various meats that’s kind of like a sample platter that costs about $ 250 hkd was a FLUKE. (see my pictures)
But my absolute favorite one was the eggplant that was beat to look like hummus. It was soo good with the flat bread! Other than that, I wouldn’t come back. The food doesn’t «speak to me». LOL.
The service is SO-​SO. If you ask for tap water, they won’t give it to you. Even if you asked for hot water, they will still say no. Apparently, it’s their policy. DUMB. So we fought them for the water. LOL. Eventually, they gave in, probably because we were a party of 15 and making a big noise about it. There’s power in numbers.
They do have hookah if you’re in the mood.

What a dinner. We walked in, enjoyed the ambience, lamented that it wasn’t a dancer night, said hi to the owner, and sat down.
Two bottles of nicely recommended wine, one mezze, two salads, two couscous and vegetable soup, one falafel tagine, one chicken, and one lamb tagine, lots of pita, a few pots if Moroccan mint tea, and one dessert (and one shot) later, and this clam is happy!
Got pretty loud and smokey after midnight so be ware of that.

An unexpected surprise in the Soho neighborhood of Hong Kong. Tamer is a fantastic host and author of the excellent dishes on the menu. London-​trained, he recently returned to Hong Kong to oversee this restaurant. The basic like hummus are well seasoned and tasty. We shared the mixed grill for two and it was outstanding. The best part was the vegetarian soup served over cous cous. The seasonings made the aroma and tasted amazing.

Ate here twice in January 2015 with a party of 5. Wonderful food and great staff. The wine kept flowing even after our bottle ran dry. Made for a grand and delicious evening.

The Nile is a great new Egyptian (basically, think Lebanese/​Mid East food) restaurant that has popped up under the esco walkway in Soho. It is in what used to be The Wheel, yep that awful old geezer pub that was permanently dark.
The Nile, is still a bit dark, especially with the esco walkway blocking out all light, but at least it is looking a lot nicer inside, having had an Egyptian make-​over.
The food they serve is fairly typical; lamb koftas, falafel, cheese spring rolls, humous. When I dine there, I tend to go for a number of the mezze starter dishes, rather than the mains. The mezze dishes are well prepared, come in a large variety and flavours, so the veggies and pescatarians can be satisfied. A real highlight is the halloumi salad, which is so good, Mrs L and I often get two! I am also a fan of the meaty potatoes and the salmon «nuggets», much to Mrs L’s chagrin. Unfortunately, the mains are not great. It’s all meat and couscous, which wouldn’t be bad if the meat was better prepared, and the couscous wasn’t so bland. Just avoid the mains, and you should be a-​ok.
What is really great about this joint is the staff and the manager. They are so friendly, maybe not the most efficient, but so on the ball with trying to serve you better each and every time. The manager is a really good bloke, and I am ashamed to say that after two introductions, I still cannot remember his name. I have now lapsed into a series of «mate, buddy, boss, geezer, bro». Nonetheless, he always finishes our meal off with complimentary sparkly and baklava treats.
A great addition to HK Mid East food culture.