Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
She Said:
There’s just something sexy about eating with your hands.
This is why brett and I decided to venture into Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant for our Date Night last Thursday. Moroccan cuisine is a very diverse cuisine, with many influences, due to the interaction of Moroccowith the outside world for centuries. But I think what makes it stand out most from other cuisines is that you eat with your hands.
Marrakesh, located in the heart of Belltown on 2nd and Battery, puts on a spectacular show for you the minute you walk in the door.
You are greeted by staff dressed in full Moroccan garb, and escorted to your table – low to the ground, giving you the option of either sitting on the floor cushion or the low bench...
There are no windows in this restaurant, and the walls and ceilings are draped with Moroccan décor – from rugs to lamps to furniture – that you really feel as though you have been transported.
We ordered our drinks – Brett a genuine Moroccan beer, and myself a Riesling – and sat back to enjoy the surroundings. It was a busy night, and groups were gathered around the tables laughing and enjoying each others company. Our drinks arrived, and shortly thereafter we ordered. The way Marrakesh works is that you each order your entrée separately, but you share fixed-menu starters ($18.50/person for a 5 course meal). If you go with a group, there are several options on how to order. It’s meant to be a sharing experience, which makes it even that much more fun. The Marrakesh dining experience provides much conversation fodder, perfect place to bring your sweetie.
Brett ordered as his main: Tagine of Chicken Honey and Prunes (Served with light honey sauce, almonds, prunes, and sesame seeds) and I ordered Couscous Marrakesh (Steamed semolina grains topped with lamb or chicken, and seven vegetables).
Our waitress brought over a large and ornate metal basin and watering can and proceeded to rinse our hands for us.
Awesome.
Our starters arrived almost immediately.
We dove into our Salads Marrakesh (a spicy puree ladled in the center of an ornate serving dish, garnished with a mix of chopped tomato, celery and cucumber – and rustic house bread to play host to all of the above) and a traditional lentil soup (was lukewarm, and we really hoped it was supposed to be – either way, it was fabulous).
After cleaning our plates, our 3rd course arrived - B'stilla Royale.
We had no idea what this was, but devoured it regardless.
Sweet meets savory, the B’stilla Royale is phyllo dough enclosing shredded chicken and scrambled egg, and topped with powdered sugar. Phenomenal.
One our table was cleared, our mains arrived almost immediately. Brett’s honey dates burst in your mouth with flavor unlike anything I’d ever tasted (giggity). My couscous was cooked to perfection. The flavors were rich, and we truly enjoyed ourselves. They do bring you forks, in case you are weary of using your hands for the ENTIRE meal. Couscous is pretty fun to scoop into your mouth though. :)
Once we finished our mains, our table was cleared once again, and we were asked to hold our hands out yet again for another washing.
With pleasure!
Our waitress then sprinkled our hands with orange blossom water – it smelled sensational!
Once we were all cleaned up, she brought us a traditional mint tea and gave us a little show as she poured it from three feet above the glass. This came out along with dessert – a coconut pudding of sorts, which Brett devoured. I gave him mine, as I was stuffed to the brim!
The food was amazing, the ambiance like none we’ve experienced elsewhere – you are truly transported to another land during the feast.
And although it is five courses of fabulous, we were in and out in just over an hour. I recommend taking a bit more time than Brett and I did (we were STARVING and could not help but inhale our food), and enjoy how Marrakesh can tickle all 5 of your senses at once.
And for under $20/person, this trip to Morocco's sights, smells, sounds, and tastes cannot be beat!
There’s just something sexy about eating with your hands.
This is why brett and I decided to venture into Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant for our Date Night last Thursday. Moroccan cuisine is a very diverse cuisine, with many influences, due to the interaction of Moroccowith the outside world for centuries. But I think what makes it stand out most from other cuisines is that you eat with your hands.
Marrakesh, located in the heart of Belltown on 2nd and Battery, puts on a spectacular show for you the minute you walk in the door.You are greeted by staff dressed in full Moroccan garb, and escorted to your table – low to the ground, giving you the option of either sitting on the floor cushion or the low bench...
There are no windows in this restaurant, and the walls and ceilings are draped with Moroccan décor – from rugs to lamps to furniture – that you really feel as though you have been transported.
We ordered our drinks – Brett a genuine Moroccan beer, and myself a Riesling – and sat back to enjoy the surroundings. It was a busy night, and groups were gathered around the tables laughing and enjoying each others company. Our drinks arrived, and shortly thereafter we ordered. The way Marrakesh works is that you each order your entrée separately, but you share fixed-menu starters ($18.50/person for a 5 course meal). If you go with a group, there are several options on how to order. It’s meant to be a sharing experience, which makes it even that much more fun. The Marrakesh dining experience provides much conversation fodder, perfect place to bring your sweetie.
Brett ordered as his main: Tagine of Chicken Honey and Prunes (Served with light honey sauce, almonds, prunes, and sesame seeds) and I ordered Couscous Marrakesh (Steamed semolina grains topped with lamb or chicken, and seven vegetables).Our waitress brought over a large and ornate metal basin and watering can and proceeded to rinse our hands for us.
Awesome.
Our starters arrived almost immediately.
We dove into our Salads Marrakesh (a spicy puree ladled in the center of an ornate serving dish, garnished with a mix of chopped tomato, celery and cucumber – and rustic house bread to play host to all of the above) and a traditional lentil soup (was lukewarm, and we really hoped it was supposed to be – either way, it was fabulous).
After cleaning our plates, our 3rd course arrived - B'stilla Royale.We had no idea what this was, but devoured it regardless.
Sweet meets savory, the B’stilla Royale is phyllo dough enclosing shredded chicken and scrambled egg, and topped with powdered sugar. Phenomenal.
One our table was cleared, our mains arrived almost immediately. Brett’s honey dates burst in your mouth with flavor unlike anything I’d ever tasted (giggity). My couscous was cooked to perfection. The flavors were rich, and we truly enjoyed ourselves. They do bring you forks, in case you are weary of using your hands for the ENTIRE meal. Couscous is pretty fun to scoop into your mouth though. :)
Once we finished our mains, our table was cleared once again, and we were asked to hold our hands out yet again for another washing.
With pleasure!
Our waitress then sprinkled our hands with orange blossom water – it smelled sensational!Once we were all cleaned up, she brought us a traditional mint tea and gave us a little show as she poured it from three feet above the glass. This came out along with dessert – a coconut pudding of sorts, which Brett devoured. I gave him mine, as I was stuffed to the brim!
The food was amazing, the ambiance like none we’ve experienced elsewhere – you are truly transported to another land during the feast.
And although it is five courses of fabulous, we were in and out in just over an hour. I recommend taking a bit more time than Brett and I did (we were STARVING and could not help but inhale our food), and enjoy how Marrakesh can tickle all 5 of your senses at once.
And for under $20/person, this trip to Morocco's sights, smells, sounds, and tastes cannot be beat!
RATINGS:
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
www.marrakeshseattle.com
2334 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-1710
(206) 956-0500
Romance: 5: Super romantic!
Cool Ambiance/Interior: 5: One of our favorites in Seattle, hands down!
All Around Service: 3: Wasn't the nicest waitress (seemed a bit annoyed when we asked for anything), but the rest of the experience made up for it. Plus it was busy. But they go the extra mile with the hand washing and tea pouring. :)
Cost: $18.50 per person, not including alcohol (5 course meal!)
Would we recommend it? 5: Yes! And can we come with you?
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
www.marrakeshseattle.com
2334 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-1710
(206) 956-0500
Romance: 5: Super romantic!
Cool Ambiance/Interior: 5: One of our favorites in Seattle, hands down!
All Around Service: 3: Wasn't the nicest waitress (seemed a bit annoyed when we asked for anything), but the rest of the experience made up for it. Plus it was busy. But they go the extra mile with the hand washing and tea pouring. :)
Cost: $18.50 per person, not including alcohol (5 course meal!)
Would we recommend it? 5: Yes! And can we come with you?
**Photos courtesy of the Marrakesh website**
1 comment:
Fun. Hubby wants to do this sometime soon!
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