food experience of all time

I think Marrakech is one of those places that you don’t go just to eat, but enjoy the incredible experience and ambiance that goes along with it.

The first time we went to Marrakech was with a Christmas gift card we received from Chris’ dad and step mom.  Boy were we impressed!  We practically giggled in amazement as each course came out and the belly dancers jiggled all over the room.  The second time we came was last year for our 2nd anniversary.  And of course they wowed us again!  Last night we went back with Chris’ dad and step mom to celebrate their retirement and also their new cabin they will be retiring to in Colorado soon.  While we are so happy for them, Chris and I are going to miss them terribly.  They are so cool to hang out with for soon-to-be in-laws!  They like wine, food and having a good time.  They will be surely missed, but it will be fun to visit!  We’re hoping we can make it up there for Thanksgiving.

I just wanted to share with you some of the experience.  This place is terrible for pictures because the lighting is very dark, but it’s still pretty neat.  If you have one in your area or ever get a chance to go I would highly recommend it!

Here is the 6 course menu as you enter:

There is Moroccan style shrimp scampi, lentil soup, marinated vegetables with hummus, kebabs of filet mignon, cous cous platter with vegetables and game hens, and of course pastilla for dessert!

There were four of us and we even took home some leftovers.  This place is well worth the price tag because it is delicious!  I would also recommend bringing a few extra dollar bills to tip the dancers :)

Here is a view from the inside.  Everything is covered in gorgeous fabric with Moroccan flair, plates and antique type items adorn the walls, and you sit at short tables close to the ground.  As you step into the curtains, it’s like your going to another realm.  Wait, am I still in Vegas??

I love this picture, it looks like the light is enveloping the walls of fabric like fire. . .

Everything was lit by mostly candlelight . . . very romantic! but terrible for food pictures.

 

Tiny tables and chairs!

 

The waiter came and asked for our drinks, and then washed our hands in rosewater!  This smells so floral and fragrant and made my hands feel so soft.  It’s also a plus because most of the courses are eaten with your fingers.

We had a wonderful Moroccan wine with dinner called Amazigh.  It’s a very easy red, like a merlot and very fruity.  We can’t find this anywhere in Las Vegas!  It was $35/bottle, dang restaurant mark-up, but it’s still cheaper than getting it by the glass.  We ordered two bottles.  Let me remind you that Chris’ dad and step mom really can hold their liquor!  I had about 1.5 glasses throughout the two hour dinner :) Oh yes, and plan at least 2 hours because there is much food, conversation and belly-dancing to be had!

First course was shrimp scampi in the most wonderful garlic, butter and parsley sauce, along with some great bread to dip!  I had 4 shrimp and 1/2 slice of bread.  I was trying to pace myself!

 

Second course was lentil soup that you drink and hold the bowl in your hands.  This is so good, but I only had about 1/4 of it.  I get sooo full on soup very easily.

Third course is my favorite!!!!  Marinated vegetables with hummus!  Oh my gosh I love how they makes this.  The veggies are slightly crunchy, slightly blanched and enveloped in a wonderful sweet/ tangy vinaigrette.  Yum!  The marinated beets were so good.  There were also carrots, cucumber, onions, maters, and olives.  I had a good portion of this one :)

Fourth course was filet mignon kebobs in a giant pineapple!  What a presentation, eh?  It was weird I wasn’t feeling the meat at all.  I actually felt the veggies all tasted better than the meat.  Don’t get me wrong, all the big carnivores at the table were very happy :)

 

Fifth course was cornish game hens with veggies and cous cous.  Yum!  The meat was so tender, but I loved the carrots and butternut squash.  There were also raisins in the cous cous which I love.

Next came the mint tea!  They pour it from way up high and manage not to spill it everywhere.  I love mint tea after dinner because it really helps to aid digestion, but this one is a bit sweet for my taste.

For dessert we had a pastilla they call it.  It’s basically phyllo dough wrapped around warm apples, nuts and cinnamon and topped with a lot of powdered sugar and more cinnamon.  This is not my kind of dessert, unless of course it came a la mode :)  But it was really good and not too sweet. 

 

This was such a great experience and I’m sure Chris and I won’t be able to go back here for awhile.  So yummy!

Do you have a favorite restaurant ‘experience’ that just blew you away?  I’d love to hear!!