You know the old saying – “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, Morocco is a GREAT example of this!
So many friends and various sources said – “when in Marrakech, one must eat at Dar Yacout”. So, with reservation in hand, the car started in that direction. All the while wondering where in the world are we being taken?? Literally, down a dark alley where a typically dressed Moroccan was waiting to be the escort into another world –
Yes – this is the place even with very nice linen engraved napkins await.
The destination is an old riad that has been beautifully redone – all the way to the rooftop bar which overlooks Marrakech. This is the first stop for the evening to relax and enjoy a drink with a view. Don’t hurry! You will be escorted to your table – covered in flower pedals – when the time is right.
Beautiful night – beautiful views!
No need for menus – it is a 5 course (with extras) set meal. Each course is ceremoniously presented in a large, decorative tajine looking piece by a very happy server.
Course 1 – salads
Course 2 – chicken tajine
Courses 3 & 4 – lamb tajine and couscous with vegetables.
Course 5 – HUGE pastilla! And, VERY delicious.
Made it through all 5 courses with a smile and ready for tea, only to be brought Moroccan sweets with the tea;-)
Finally done with this exquisite evening. The food, service and atmosphere were all superb! Oh – forgot to mention, there was also fantastic, live background music throughout the evening. AND – all this for the dollar equivalent of $70 per person. You read right. A fantastic evening at an incredible value. Don’t miss it if you are ever in Marrakech;-)
In case the above dinner doesn’t intrigue you – perhaps a cooking class with Fatima at Chef Tarik’s would. Again – don’t judge the book by the cover as we were driven to the middle of nowhere and stopped at this gate. Once through, we were in another oasis.
Are you sure we are in the right place?!?!
As is typical, the first stop was a welcome with Moroccan tea. Only this time you learn how to make it and how to ‘salute’ but with the Moroccan “bessaha” – –
The chef and her assistant teaching how to make the traditional Moroccan tea.
The menu for the class is very similar to the dinner had at Dar Yacout. First salads, then chicken and lamb tajines and couscous. All in a couple of hours! But first, one needs to know and understand all the spices that are used in these dishes. And, there are many – –
Beautifully presented.
The lamb tajine is started first, as it takes the longest to ‘simmer’. It is followed by the chicken tajine and then the couscous. (Notice all the cooked dishes are done over charcoal fires. This is done in the homes also, as electricity is very expensive. We’ll experience this at the next stop.) In between, the carrot and zucchini salads are prepared even leaving time for a tour of the grounds.
Chef Gary with the lamb tajine.
Chef Elizabeth with the chicken tajine.
The tomato rose from the tomato skin (made by Elizabeth!).
Bread preparation in the wood oven (not done by us thank goodness).
All of the food having been prepared and cooking, there was a tour of the facilities. As said in the beginning, this was an oasis beyond the gate in the middle of nowhere;-). This setting was just completed and moved into a few weeks prior to this visit. The move was to accommodate larger tour groups. Today was perfect, as there were no other groups – so the chef was all ours!
Fabulous setting.
They also raise much of what is used in the cooking.
Now, time to enjoy the fruits of the labor. The two tajines, couscous and the two salads (notice the tomato roses atop the salads). The chefs can be very proud of themselves as all was delicious! Oh – and not to worry – there was delicious dessert that we did NOT have to make. Just enjoyed;-)
Bessaha!
Our teacher – Chef Fatima at Chef Tarik Cooking School.
This was another wonderful experience. If one has enough days to take a morning and visit the Chef Tarik Cooking School to learn traditional Moroccan cooking and enjoy the lunch it is well worth it. Enjoy!
Just a few additional spots to visit after all the food. Off to Dar el Bacha Musee. This lavish palace was the home of the governor of Marrakech from the early to mid-1900’s and was renovated in 2017 to house a museum. A drawing card here (besides the beautiful artisan work) is Bacha Coffee. Check it out.
Superb tile work.
One more stop for the music fans – The Museum of Music. A small but informative display of African instruments and three nights a week there is a live performance – –
Three very full days in Marrakech – but a lot was seen and done – AND EATEN! Marrakech should not be judged by its cover. Really dig in and explore and enjoy.
E & G – Having enjoyed Marrakech moving to the High Atlas Mountains
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 