In the busy rush of college life it is hard to find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy a meal with a friend. Casablanca restaurant, 2488 S. University Blvd., provides this very opportunity.
This small, traditional style Moroccan restaurant is an unexpected jewel near DU. It provides not just a place to eat a meal but a full body experience. Every part of the dining experience is considered from the food, to the atmosphere, to the music and the furniture.
The first thing to draw my attention was the furniture, which is made up of plush chairs on one side of the table and heavily pillowed couches on the other side. The distinguishing factor is that all of the furniture is low or directly on the ground.
At first it is hard to get used to being so low to the ground and reclined in a public restaurant, especially when the host encourages you to take of your shoes. But soon, it is easy to get into the laid back swing of the restaurant. The Moroccan music that is always at a low volume helps to ease your way into the experience.
The menu is a set, four-course feast that features soup, salads, appetizer, entrCB)e and tea. The price is either $23.95 or $27.95 depending on the entrCB)e that you choose. As everything is already set, all you have to do is choose your main dish.
At the beginning of the meal the host brings out water so that diners are able to wash their hands. The water is poured out of a large kettle onto the customer’s hands that are placed over a large bowl that has a slotted top.
From there, the food begins to roll out of the kitchen. The first thing was a flavorful soup that is made from lamb, lentils and chick peas. The soup was not heavy or greasy. The menu said that the soup features cilantro, and the usually overpowering spice was merely an accent. The homemade traditional bread was dipped into the soup. It was easy for me to want to make a meal out of that alone, but it was just the beginning.
The next course was a medley of three salads, all served on one plate. The first salad had grilled green peppers and tomatoes; the second was a roasted and smashed eggplant salad; finally, there was a fresh cucumber, tomato and onion salad. Moroccans don’t use utensils while eating, in lieu of a fork you use bread to scoop up the salads. The salads are served on a communal plate.
Next is the appetizer course which is completely communal. It is called a b’stella pastry. The pastry has a shell of phyllo dough and inside has eggs, chicken, almonds, raisins and spices.
The whole thing is then covered with powdered sugar and honey. While it seems like this should be an inedible combination, it is delicious. It is a scrumptious one of the best mixture of savory and sweet.
At this point in the meal you should be getting pleasingly full. But your entrCB)e is still on its way. The entrees are chosen from a massive list of dishes. There is a section for seafood that has salmon or shrimp.
There is also very extensive section of chicken and lamb dishes. Most are served in rich sauces.
The sauces are all built around foods that are native to Morocco, such as apricots, olives and dates.
You eat the meat with your fingers and soak up the sauces with your bread. Another entrCB)e option is a traditional couscous that features meat or vegetables.
Finally, a traditional Moroccan mint tea is served that offers the perfect closure to the meal. It has a smoky, sweet flavor that is probably impossible to duplicate. The meal is over when the host brings out the kettle to have the diners wash their hands again, and he sprinkles you with orange scented water.
The entire meal is served by the host, executive chef and owner Said Benjelloun. He is reason enough to try the restaurant with his open warmth and friendliness throughout the meal. He makes you feel at home and welcome. There is no rush to leave and you are welcome to linger and chat with your companions.
Due to the intimate and communal nature of the meal it is a perfect place to go with a significant other or a small group of friends.
A large group would be hard because of the shared plates that would have everyone’s fingers in them. However, it can be done, and would be an interesting alternative to the usual restaurant fare.
The restaurant is open daily from 5-10 p.m. And for lunch with a group of 15 people or more. However, in a month they will always be open for lunch.
Sit back, enjoy the ambiance, sounds and, of course, the tastes oft this restaurant that provides another worldly experience.
