Kairo Kafe and Jasmine Hookah

I really enjoy hookah. Though I wouldn’t consider myself an avid hookah smoker, I believe my having taste buds gives me adequate qualifications to make hookah judgments; and from what I can tell, jasmine is by far the best flavor I’ve had yet.

I’ve only been to a handful of hookah bars in my life, and the majority of my hookah experience has taken place in Fort’s apartment, the flavors being limited to relatively obnoxious fruity flavors.

But last night, a few friends and I decided to go to the Kairo Kafe, a new hookah bar and eastern Meditarranian restaurant near Rutgers University. It had a nice atmosphere with cute café tables, romance lighting, vintage chandeliers with candle holders instead of bulbs (though they were unlit, sad) and an all-round gypsy more-restaurant, less-bar feel. The oddly-placed techno-dance musice actually made me enjoy the experience even more.  I would have liked it if they’d conformed to a more standard vibe with some lounge-style seating options to make it less like a regular restaurant, but it was still nice atmosphere.

The pretty waitress lacked training and was hardly attentive, but suggested the jasmine flavor to us, which in my eyes, redeemed her. I’m not entirely sure how to describe the taste with the most accuracy, but I can say that it was deliciously sweet without an overwhelming sugar taste. Though I’ve never tried eating a jasmine flower, I felt as though I could have been nibbling on the soft white blossoms right then and there.

As far as food goes, I wasn’t particularly excited about my lamb sandwich. I’m not sure if it was the meat spices, the tahini, or merely the combination with the jasmine hookah, but something put me off. The potato wedges were absolutely wonderful; just crisp enough, full of potato goodness, and they didn’t leave a glimmer of oil on my fingers. One friend fully enjoyed his shrimp, though disappointed by the portion size (three jumbo shrimp for about 6 bucks) and another friend completely cleaned her bowl of hummus (and I tasted the pita bread, which by itself was quite yummy).

If you should happen to be in the New Brunswick area any time in the future, and don’t mind dance music with your smoke (the hookah, by the way, was only $12/flavor, min. one hookah per two people) and poor but attractive service, try the Kairo Kafe. Now that Sahara doesn’t have hookah anymore this alternative is decent enough to try on for size. 

This post was mean to be less about the actual place and more about the jasmine flavor, but I’m just too opinionated for my own good.

With Alotta Love,

zee zee cakes

Tags: Add new tag, hookah bar, kairo kafe, new brunswick, restaurant, rutgers