Gingko — Restaurant in Cairo

I (a solo female traveler) am a regular visitor to Cairo (since 2013), about 4-5 times a year, so I am quite familiar with many dining outlets of major 5-star hotels along the Nile. So far, my favorites are Onyx at Fairmont (Grills & Pasta), Saigon at Fairmont (Asian & Thai), The Grill at IC Semiramis (Steaks), JW Steakhouse at Marriott Zamalek (Steaks),  Vivo at Ritz Cairo (Italian) etc.  Some of the familiar managers from Onyx Lounge (Fairmont) have encouraged me to try their new outlet (this Gingko over the Nile view with a bar setting) several times, so I decided to try Gingko during my visit this June for the first time. I sat at the bar outdoors, ordered a salad as an appetizer & grilled salmon along with a glass of wine. The view is nice, the Vibe is fine, and the dishes are of the same quality that I used to order at Onyx. However, the quality of service I experienced at Gingko was quite different from what I used to receive at Onyx, which was very attentive and careful to any feedback in a professional manner. While I was already disappointed with the disorganized service at the time of my order, the service attentiveness and quality in general were even worse. To be worse, I got upset with a sort of "lecturing attitude" from a bartender when I inquired about the waiting time for the dish, as the dish was taking quite a long time. In the end, I raised this issue of "lecturing attitude/response" to the simple inquiry to the concerned manager of the outlet, but he only kept repeating to say sorry (sounds very superficial) and gone, so I was not sure if it was a genuine one after understanding the issue appropriately. Later, the bartender guy offered another glass of wine with an attitude like he's giving me a favor so I simply refused it.  No I don't recommend this outlet and won't be back again. Fairmont management should better rethink of service training of the staff at this outlet, which should be appropriate at the caliber...

We had dinner at Gingko on our last night in Cairo. The manager approached us at the pool and invited us to dinner and ensured us the music would be great. The music was definitely club like and added to the roof top vibe. Our server, Ahmed Tito, was extremely friendly and accommodating and he went the extra mile to make sure our group pictures were great. The food was also amazing. We had a great time

Update: Although the above is true, I have to say the service was a bit slow and the restaurant was not busy at all. The server asked me to write a review, which I was going to do anyway, but I was enjoying dinner with my friends and really didn't want to write a review right then. He insisted I do it right then and literally stood directly over my shoulder at the table as I wrote it. He didn't even let me finish writing it before he "reminded" me to add his full name. I don't know if they get some sort of bonus or something for having a good review written about them but I've never felt that kind of pressure to write a review on the spot and certainly never had a server read it over my shoulder...

The service is really nice and everyone was very attentive and carefull with food allergies, whish is very important! We were 8 people, and were placed at two round tables very quickly in the terrace area. Despite everything, and being covered and sheltered, as it was very windy outside, so it was quiet cold. We asked for different main dishes: salmon teriyaki, sol del mare (my option, which is very good but has too many rice for the sauce portion), angus tenderloin (the mushroom puree with truflle was so so good) and angus filet mignon (one of which, unfortunately, was overcooked instead of rare. However, the mistake was quickly corrected, as they brought a new filet mignon, rare, as requested and were even kind enough to offer a cocktail). Also, the deserts presentations was excellent and the flavours were very good. Another less positive aspect was the music, which was sometimes too loud and didn't...