I have never been a big fan of putting anything into my mouth unless I am completely aware of what it is I am eating; however, part of this whole "50" adventure is to not only to go places I have never been but also to do things I have never done. To this end, my dear friends Scott and Keri (sorry you could not make it Jess) took me to Marrakesh for a birthday dinner. This is a wonderful authentic Moroccan restaurant in downtown Portland. Before we even entered the restaurant, I knew I was in for quite a treat just by the smell that was wafting down the street. As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by the hostess, who was dressed in authentic Moroccan attire. We were seated at a table that sat very low to the ground, on very plush cushions that you must center yourself on or you will fall off of. The inside of the restaurant looked exactly like what I would imagine a Moroccan tent to look like.
There were authentic rugs on the walls, ambient lighting, fabric hanging from the ceiling to make it seem as if you were inside a tent, servers who were dressed in Moroccan attire, and wonderful Moroccan music playing to set the mood. Your experience begins with your server placing towels in your lap rather than napkins. You use towels because you will be eating this meal with your fingers. I highly suggest you dine with people you really, really like since you will be eating with your fingers. The meal is a 5-course affair with lentil soup, salad, an appetizer with phyllo dough, the entree, and a wonderful mint tea for dessert. Your server will bring a large bowl and set it in the center of the table, after which she instructs you to place your hands over the bowl, and she takes a pitcher of warm water and pours it over your hands so you can wash them. Our meal began with lentil soup, bread, and a salad. Then came our appetizer, which was a perfect combination of wonderful flavors, an amazing blend of sweetness and savoriness. The entrees, wow...there are no words to describe the array of flavors that were going on there...we had apricot chicken, beef kabobs, and a chicken couscous with vegetables. After you have ate all this food with your fingers, your server comes back with the bowl and pitcher of water so she can wash your hands again. Those of you know me know that I am not a huge fan of hot liquid, but if I could drink this mint tea, I would do it every day. It was wonderful.
As we were finishing our tea, I saw Scott and Keri smile at each other and about that time a belly dancer emerged and danced her way through the multiple dinning rooms. It was quite entertaining. The whole experience was incredible, one I would definitely recommend. Check them out at: http://www.marrakeshportland.com/index.html
I have never been a big fan of putting anything into my mouth unless I am completely aware of what it is I am eating; however, part of this whole "50" adventure is to not only to go places I have never been but also to do things I have never done. To this end, my dear friends Scott and Keri (sorry you could not make it Jess) took me to Marrakesh for a birthday dinner. This is a wonderful authentic Moroccan restaurant in downtown Portland. Before we even entered the restaurant, I knew I was in for quite a treat just by the smell that was wafting down the street. As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by the hostess, who was dressed in authentic Moroccan attire. We were seated at a table that sat very low to the ground, on very plush cushions that you must center yourself on or you will fall off of. The inside of the restaurant looked exactly like what I would imagine a Moroccan tent to look like. 
There were authentic rugs on the walls, ambient lighting, fabric hanging from the ceiling to make it seem as if you were inside a tent, servers who were dressed in Moroccan attire, and wonderful Moroccan music playing to set the mood. Your experience begins with your server placing towels in your lap rather than napkins. You use towels because you will be eating this meal with your fingers. I highly suggest you dine with people you really, really like since you will be eating with your fingers. The meal is a 5-course affair with lentil soup, salad, an appetizer with phyllo dough, the entree, and a wonderful mint tea for dessert. Your server will bring a large bowl and set it in the center of the table, after which she instructs you to place your hands over the bowl, and she takes a pitcher of warm water and pours it over your hands so you can wash them. Our meal began with lentil soup, bread, and a salad. Then came our appetizer, which was a perfect combination of wonderful flavors, an amazing blend of sweetness and savoriness. The entrees, wow...there are no words to describe the array of flavors that were going on there...we had apricot chicken, beef kabobs, and a chicken couscous with vegetables. After you have ate all this food with your fingers, your server comes back with the bowl and pitcher of water so she can wash your hands again. Those of you know me know that I am not a huge fan of hot liquid, but if I could drink this mint tea, I would do it every day. It was wonderful. 
As we were finishing our tea, I saw Scott and Keri smile at each other and about that time a belly dancer emerged and danced her way through the multiple dinning rooms. It was quite entertaining. The whole experience was incredible, one I would definitely recommend. Check them out at: http://www.marrakeshportland.com/index.html
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