Moroccan Delight!

Before we ate at Marakech, my only association with Moroccan food was from a scene in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day are dining in a restaurant in Morocco, and Jimmy's character is taught to eat in keeping with the local custom: holding food with only two fingers, only using the right hand.

Our hosts weren't as strict at Marrakech Cafe, our December pick. Service was excellent, probably the best we've received of any restaurant so far in my opinion.

Those of us lucky enough to enjoy caffeine started with hot mint tea which was sweet and delicious. (I admit: I had a few drinks of it, but only to provide our dear blog readers with a review.) The sampler platter was a nice mix of exotic dips, pita-like bread and the most delicious chicken ever. It was spicy and so tender that I cut mine with a fork.

I ordered the beef couscous as an entree. The beef was chewy and flavorful, with all kinds of spices (maybe even cinnamon?). The couscous was fluffy and delicious and topped with roasted vegetables--carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini and turnips. Yes even the turnips were tasty. (I had to ask the waiter if they were in fact turnips. I just didn't know they could taste that good.) My entree was enough for a huge dinner and huge lunch of leftovers the next day.

I gave the restaurant 4.2/5 stars. I'll definitely be back to order Richard's dish (and their specialty): the beef tagine which was the most unique thing I tasted. Slow-cooked beef in heavy spices with a sauce made of dried apricots. Yum! Kudos to my fellow dinner club colleague (and wonderful husband) Justin for this pick.