Reviews
REsTAuRANT
hommous and a salad of slow cinnamon, nuts, raisins and
MARhbA MOORish cooked peppers – all won- topped with icing sugar and
LOuNGE AND bisTRO derfully complemented by ground cinnamon. Although
Review by Joseph fresh and warm Moroccan it looked too good to eat, we
Downing and Gaenor bread, which is all baked on tucked in and were delighted
Levington. the premises. A real treat with the tender and perfectly
in the middle of bustling was the Harira, a Moroccan flavoured chicken, crisp nuts
Bayswater, Marhba Moroccan lamb, chickpea and tomato and pastry adding an interest-
restaurant is a family run soup, which reminded us of ing crunchy texture, topped
business serving traditional our time in Morocco. when off with a hit of ground
cuisine; a glorious mix of teamed with the unlikely cinnamon.
meats and vegetables cooked partner of small spiced honey we finished our meal
with luxurious spices and cakes the results are amazing, lounging on the sofas with
fruits. typifying the way Moroccan Moroccan tea. The mix of the
Decorated with a won- food effortlessly blends com- finest Chinese gunpowder
derful mix of modern chic plex flavours. it is no wonder green tea and fresh Moroccan
Music
style and traditional fittings, that this delicacy is a favour- mint gives a sublime and per- YusuF - GuEss i’LL TAKE
Marhba is reminiscent of the ite in North Africa during fumed brew, and the smell MY TiME TOuR - LONDON
classy North African restau- Ramadan. transported us back to the Review by Robi
rants found in Paris. The main courses, how- Medina of Marrakech. As is “That was a legend! You just
we were welcomed warmly ever, were even better. The common in North Africa, saw a legend. i hope you know
and ushered over to a large vegetable cous cous was won- with its French colonial past, that.” - These were the words
table with a very comforta- derfully flavoured with the Marhba offers French patis- of an emotional father mak-
ble Moroccan sofa. There is a vegetables perfectly cooked. serie alongside North African ing plain to his young son
choice of conventional chairs Both main courses, the sweets. we opted for the tra- as the exit doors opened and
and tables, making for a more chicken with green olives ditional Moroccan pastries, thousands poured out in glee.
versatile dining experience: and preserved lemons, and with a mix of almond paste The buzzing crowds left
one can eat at a chair and table the lamb with cinnamon and and orange flower water. the last date of the “Guess i’ll
and then move onto a sofa to prunes, came bursting with Marhba blends sublime Take My Time” tour, Yusuf’s
relax with some Moroccan flavour. in both instances the cuisine with real Moroccan first tour in over 30 years,
tea and take advantage of the meat was authentically slow hospitality and, as a bonus, knowing they had just seen a
free internet. There is also a cooked, resulting in a won- does so at a very reasona- very rare show.
separate outdoor terrace for derful buttery tenderness ble price: around £15 a head Most of the audience were
dining al-fresco in the sum- complemented with the sweet for a full three course meal older – a middle-aged crowd
mer months. and sour taste of the fruits. with drinks. This is what the who probably went to see Cat
The starters we received The highlight, however, was owner, the warm and charm- stevens at the height of his
were excellent: smokey auber- the pastila, a filo pastry parcel ing Youssef Benazha, was fame in the early ‘70s. The show
gine and tomato za’alouk, stuffed with spiced chicken, aiming for. He can be found at at London’s Royal Albert Hall
Marhba most nights, and his saw a relaxed Yusuf, comforta-
presence increased the sense ble with himself and his return
of hospitality the place con- to music, giving his fans lots
jures up. if you want some of old hits from albums such
world-class North African as Matthew and son, and Tea
cooking at great prices with for the Tillerman; as well as
some priceless Moroccan hos- new material from his recent
pitality thrown in, head down albums.
to Marhba as it really does it is clear that Yusuf wants
deliver on its names meaning to use his public popularity
in Arabic: “welcome”. to subtly give a little goodness
back to the wider audience.
Marhba Moorish Lounge when he announced that pro-
The Colonnades, ceeds from the concert went
26 Porchester Road, to support an interfaith centre
London, w2 6es to build understanding there
020 7221 8898 was a great cheer.
96 emel magazine |
www.emel.com
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