Da Nile...

Some would say that I am a "food whore!" I don't disagree, my favorite pastime is trying new restaurants, but that got us in trouble tonight...

Following Lakeside Live, Shirley and I were trying to determine where we should grab a bite to eat. Driving up Scottsdale Road and headed towards my house we decide to go to Papago Brewery. As we pull up to Papago we noticed it was packed and we weren't feeling that scene. Looking for plan b, we see this little Mediterranean restaurant called, The Nile. Feeling a bit adventurous, we figure we'd give it a whirl. Our first hint should have been that there was only two other people in the whole restaurant.

Shortly after being sat, the owner brought us complimentary hummus plate which was very good. To be honest, the food was good, but that really isn't the point of this posting.

Midway into a conversation, Shirley bursts out in laughter. With my back to the kitchen, I turn around to see what she is laughing about. There was a women in a very reveiling gold outfit--tassels included! Being that we were in a Mediterranean restaurant it didn't seem that odd for there to be a belly dancer, until I caught glimps of the five-foot sword she was carrying.

Mind you, this chick was sporting a hugh WT butterfly tattoo on her lower back and really should not have been wearing that outfit, if you know what I mean! Before Shirley and I know it, she is balancing the five-foot sword on her head and gliding in our direction (aahhh!). Trying to pull it together, the two of us are practically crying we are laughing so hard. Let me tell you, it's not fun to inhale a mouthful of rice!

Realizing the other table had tipped the dancer, we felt obligated to do the same. Little did I know, I was going to be required to stick the money in her skirt as she shook her hips-ughh! At that very second, I couldn't remember if I was at Skin Cabaret or in a dining establishment! After receiving our "private dance" she says, "if you stick around, you'll see me eat fire!" Say what?!

The music FINALLY stops and there is no sign of the dancer. Just as we think we can escape, the owner comes by our table and offers us a complimentary Baklava, that his wife had just made. To avoid being disrespectful, we agreed to a piece.

All of a sudden the lights begin to dim and Shirley and I realize that we are about to witness something special. The dancer comes to our table once again, but this time she has two burning sticks in her mouth. After seductively spreading fire across her arms and stomach, she looks at us and says, "That was hot!" Ewww… I think she may have enjoyed that a little too much!

Two hours later, I’m now left with a stomach ache and traumatizing visuals. I think we both learned something tonight, when in 'Da Nile', chose pizza for dinner! Don't opt for a strip mall Mediterannian restaurant. And, if you do, make sure it's take-out!