Catercorner from the Bijou Theatre, the First Tennessee Building and, er, a parking lot, the Mirage of Gay Street is not the most opulent attraction in the early dinner hours, despite what the name might bring to mind. Once inside, however, the fervid energy and busy decor washes over you and for just a moment the illusion that you’ve skipped over the Atlantic to a nestled corner of the Mediterranean becomes total.
From the Arabic-inflected music blasting over the loud speakers to pleasure palace of the hookah lounge, the Mirage, or less colloquially the Cairo Cafe, encourages you to not only relax, but literally sink into the very fabric of the place. Dining patrons sit at the bar and in booths, while the cushioned lounge allows for smoking while enjoying authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare and perhaps a few drinks.
Open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. most days and 5:30 p.m. for dinner, the Cairo Cafe’s menu offers serving sizes for any gourmandizer. Lunch consists of sandwiches with the option to add a soup or salad for $7, or $8.50 for both. This particular part of the menu is a boon for vegetarians, with three delicious veggie-friendly sandwiches, four salads and five soups to choose from — try the falafel, tabouli and molokhia combo for an flavor excursion on a budget.
Dinner, on the other hand, can be a bit pricier, with entrees ranging from $12 to $26. While all of the sandwiches from lunch are available, though, it is still possible to grab a very filling meal for under $10. That’s not to say, either, that you should avoid the entrees.
From kebab to chicken penne, the dinner menu has a slice of every culture around the Mediterranean. The kebabs come in pairs, which with some tabouli and rice will easily leave leftovers for tomorrow. Chicken penne, the sole Italian dish on the menu, may seem a bit out of place but then again, the BBQ pork sandwich also goes to show that in the South, some concessions must be made for every crowd. A recommended wine pairing is offered with each entree on the menu, enhancing the dining experience.
For a date, the Sultan’s Meal might be your best bet. With three kebabs, a lamb chop and your choice of desert, not to mention the tabouli and rice, this platter of succulent beef and lamb with roasted vegetable will leave you feeling like a king — rich, powerful, maybe a bit bloated.
If you’re looking for more of a culinary expedition, here’s a tip — go with a few friends and order different appetizers. Priced on a sliding scale, a single app goes for $5, while you can get three for $12. I tried the tabouli, Sophie tomatoes and stuffed grape leaves with the Shawarma Grille sandwich, and am on my third meal in writing this. For dessert you can choose one of four tasty regional treats or perhaps a hookah bowl among friends. The Cairo Cafe’s hookah lounge is the secret to a full night on Gay Street among friends. While the stigma around smoking may keep some potential customers at bay, think of it this way — hookah smoke is not meant for inhalation and at $10-$15, you and a few friends can each chip in the price of one decent draft beer, relax and not have to worry about the hangover resultant from a heavy night of drinking.
With so many jewels in its crown, the Cairo Cafe may seem a Mirage but I assure, it’s real. Go down to Gay Street and seek adventure, ye Volunteers, and educate your palate.
