For Mother's Day dinner Diana chose Marrakech in Montclair.
We love Moroccan cuisine having spent three weeks in that wonderful part of the world a few years ago. It is a beautiful country rich in culture and history.
A French influence, which Morocco gained as a French Protectorate from 1912 into the 50's, makes Moroccan an interesting Middle Eastern dining experience.
Morocco has been home to the Berber people since the first century, was annexed by Rome, overrun by the Vandals, invaded by Arabs, ally to Spain and Portugal, a Barbary State used by pirates, on and on.
While in Morocco our favorite dinners were in two 4 Star Restaurants in the Medina of Marrakech and a lunch we had along the riverside in a mountain Berber village. Marrakech in Montclair is some where in between.
I love the colorful Arabic decor it casts a magical feeling of "Arabian Nights." There are two dining rooms, a lounge with traditional Moroccan low seating. The other with western style seating. We chose the lounge.
Our dinner started with a delicious Scallop dish, "Scallops avec Fennel et Beurre au Citron", Sautéed scallops over braised fennel with apple cress salad and zested citrus sauce.
I have always loved the French influence in Middle Eastern cuisine.
The scallops were fresh and perfectly sauteed, the fennel just right. Too much flame on either and they become inedible. The apple and citrus sauce showed the same delicate touch.
Our son Pierce ordered the Cigar Marocain, a Moroccan pastry roll filled with ground beef and eggs. He devoured it, sharing just a few bites. He is a growing boy.
For our entrees Pierce had one his favorites, Duck. Canard avec Sauce de Figue, a wild duck breast served with parsnip puree, glazed carrots and haricot verts drizzled with fig sauce
Diana and I both had Tagines. Her's the Tagine d’Agneau, lamb cooked with Moroccan spices topped with prunes, almonds and sesame seeds. I had the Tagine du Poulet, marinated chicken breast cooked with olives and preserved lemon.
Some earlier reviews of Marrakech were not so favorable. They like the ambiance and server but were but happy with the food. We enjoyed our dinner completely, evidently the kitchen has improved.
Our server was charming and engaged, interested in our complete satisfaction.
With our dinner we enjoyed a delicious Greek wine Ktima Pavlidis Thema White, a blend of Greek Assyrtiko and French Savignon Blanc.
Marrakech
708 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042-2203
(973) 744-7773
http://marrakech-restaurant.net/
Review Posted 5/15/07
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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