Casablanca on your Plate

Sandeep Panwar,executive chef at the Metropolitan Hotel in Connaught Place,who has worked with middle-eastern food during his stint at Dubai’s Burj al Arab hotel,feels that Moroccan is a palate pleaser with Indians as it is spicier than other middle-eastern cuisines. “Moroccan and Indian dishes have many common spices such as cumin and cardamom. We have quite a few Moroccan dishes on our buffet spreads and they are hot sellers,” he says.

The city hasn’t warmed up only to Moroccan restaurants but also to Moroccan flavours in party and catering menus. Caterers say that tagines,roasts,cous cous and spicy Moroccon rice dishes share space with Indian festive staples such as the biryani and kebab. “Moroccan food,like Indian cuisine,stresses on kebabs,but also has its own distinct character such as Zattar,a spice mix similar to the garam masala,” says Lucy Holliday,who heads Damsons Pop Up Restaurants,a niche catering and supper club company. Damsons has catered to Moroccan-themed supper club events and private parties. “We create a lot of mezze platters,kebabs and tagines. It appeals to the modern mindset because there’s less oil and one spends less time in the kitchen,” she says.

Mousim Sidana,chef-owner of The Supper Club,another exclusive catering service,agrees. “We have tried out Moroccan dishes like char-grilled peaches with mascarpone,honey and pine nuts that have received a positive response from clients,” says Sidana.

Chefs and foodies are upbeat about the future of Moroccon cuisine. Unlike French and Spanish cuisines,which trended in the last few years,Morocco is set to have a longer run on eating-out menus. As Bogart would have said,“Here’s looking at you kid.”

Morocco menu

Zerzura

Located in the Qutub Hotel at Katwaria Sarai,Zerzura’s decor has a Moroccan palace-cum-Delhi nightclub feel. Apart from an extensive Moroccan menu,the restaurant also boasts a cocktail menu comprising thirst quenchers such as Aini,a date-infused spiced Captain Morgan rum with cointreau and Jaffa oranges,served on the rocks with date juice

We recommend

Lamb cutlet,harissa and fennel tagine: A tender lamb cutlet with a thick gravy resting on a bed of buttered cous cous

Potatoes,chorizo and dates: Chorizo and potato chunks sauteed with dates

Meal for two: Rs 2,500

S-Bar

It’s earlier avatar,Shalom,was a popular Delhi lounge with a laidback Moroccan ambience,low seating and tasseled booths. In it’s new avatar,the lounge retains the exotic Moroccan experience in a glitizier format

We recommend

MALSOUKA: Freshly baked Saffron flavoured Chicken with Ricotta Cheese stuffed in Filo pastry. Served with pickled Lemon Butter sauce

DAJAJE BELIMOUNE: Saffron flavoured Chicken tagine cooked in an Orange sauce

Meal for two: Rs 1,500

Casablanca

The Moroccan specialty restaurant at Double Tree by Hilton serves up authentic Moroccan food in swish surroundings

We recommend

CHELO KEBAB: Char-grilled Mince Lamb kebab,marinated in Sumac and Saffron. Served in fresh pita with spicy tomato dip

Meal for two: Rs 3,500