"A place that stays crowded 24/7 deserves props. Follow the lead of the cab drivers who frequent this swankier version of the original Cleo’s to get a whiff of owner Tarek Madkour’s vision. There are Egyptian dishes nodding to his heritage, including an awesome, multi-dish breakfast, plenty of seafood, and earthy sauces like the herb-driven zhoug and toum, the whipped garlic spread that improves everything. There’s another location on Decatur Street in the Quarter, where the no-frills decor is replaced by lacy arabesque designs and a warm Mediterranean vibe." - Beth D'Addono
