Two days have already passed where I learned endless things about Algeria's wonders and traditions. Unfortunately good food is definitely not one of its wonders. I am desperately searching for something good and decent to eat... And I am still searching... And will continue searching... Waking up for the second day in this country, it was time to try their five star hotel breakfast.
Breakfast at the hotel is served between 6 and 11 am in the hall next to the lobby. A high ceiling room, lit with dozens of windows, pleasantly welcomes you while the classical light jazz music playing in the background. I chose one of the many round tables covered with pink table cloth and waited to be served.
AbdelKader, the smiling waiter approached me and made sure to guide me along the buffets choices:
Mediocre! So I asked him for a cheese omelet followed by a chocolate crepe. I just wanted to eat something this morning...
The wide and endless choices at the buffet? "A disaster"
- One single choice of cheese with 4 slices left
- One empty salami plate
- Oranges and apples, nothing else
- 5 choices of cakes and croissants
- 7 choices of bread: but to eat with what? This unique yellow cheese?
- Salad for breakfast: Olives, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers
- Three cereals dispensers
- A couple of yogurt pots
- Orange juice
- Boiled eggs
- Merguez Sausages
- Coffee
I walked around the buffet looking for something to satisfy my hunger, especially as yesterday's dinner was a total mess. I couldn't find anything but one plain croissant and another chocolate one. Wow! I have never tasted anything so bland in my entire life.
The omelet, even tough it is not beautiful to look at, is acceptable. As for the cold and oily chocolate crepe, it is up the standards of this country's culinary level. A restraint choice of bad food is the only choice you have while visiting Algeria. I would definitely stick to these choices after what I saw on the streets yesterday. Insects and flies devouring pieces of cakes before people eating them. I am shocked by the very low culinary level standard people accept to live with in this country. A five star hotel which is supposed to be the best around has the standards of a three stars in Europe with food under the tolerated humanitarian acceptable minimum. I don't even want to imagine what other hotels are serving...
I honestly decided this morning to stop here and not adventure further into hostile territories.
It's 10:35am, and even though breakfast time ends at 11am, the hostess, rolling like a basket ball asked us to leave, since they need to prepare the room for a wedding ceremony. Professionalism at its best!
