08/09/09

Morrocan Heaven

by CarlosG

We want them back in Silverlake! This is an excellent restaurant. Fine food, gorgeous decor. We have been going there for years fearful that the quality would eventually drop, but it has not. Au contraire.

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: Odd neighborhood

09/01/08

Nothing like it

by Jbatchelor

First, I'd like to talk about some of these awful reviews that are completely ridiculous. Not original? Excuse me, if this restaurant is not original then I don't know what is. Now the guy who felt insignificant in Chameau. Well hate to break it to you, but you are.

Now for MY review. The chef is amazing in the kitchen. The lamb, couscous, diverse wines, preserved lemon dip, should I go on? There should be a Chameau in every city.

• Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: None

French for "camel," this Fairfax District favorite offers adventurous foodies a delicious taste of Morocco.

by Randi Schmelzer

Tucked among the bakeries and shops of Fairfax, the copper facade of this windowless eatery might not look like much from the outside, but inside it's a colorful (although suprisingly tiny) space with an geometrically designed dining room and blue-hued retro coffee shop-style bar. Mediterranean-leaning starters include chilled watermelon-cucumber salad, olive and eggplant tapanades while ntrees range from olive-crusted baked halibut and roasted lamb to vegetarian-friendly options and the signature couscous tangines, covered plates steaming with fresh meats or seafood and couscous. House-made desserts such as almond pastries and the incredible "bastilla au lait," a monster-size, super crispy, paper-thin tortilla-like fried treat topped with berries and wild berry cream are perfectly paired with hot Moroccan mint tea.

07/02/08

Avoid Kelly

by MrsOBrien

Kelly Klemovich is the older lady who does all the catering for movie sets and things like that for Chameau. The food is alright, however once it gets to location it is usually not very hot anymore. My biggest complaint about this is how inappropriate Kelly is with the clients. She is very ditsy, always late(which probably explains the cold food), and she kisses all the guys and jumps on them and hangs all over them whenever she sees them. She calls them hunny and sweetie and all kinds of pet names, and acts like they have a relationship outside of work. She is married, however it is to a gay man, and for tax reasons only, so shes like a cougar on the prowl. I have never been so disgusted by someone's total lack of professional etiquette, she must not have any formal business training of any kind, because because those of us who have know that one of the first things they teach is how to behave with customers and such. So if you like being harassed in a bad way at work when all you are trying to do is feed your crew, then shes the one for you. This comment is not made to be nasty, it's more like constructive criticism for her to learn from.

• Pros: You get fed
• Cons: Kelly is completely inappropriate for a business situation

01/17/08

Great dining experience

by kfarrin

I have been meaning to write this place up for a while because I had such a great experience here. I took my sister to Chameau when she came to visit - I had never been so I was a bit nervous, but everything was wonderful. First, our waitress brought out Moroccan bread with a preserved lemon dip that was to die for. We had the duck bastilla as an appetizer - sort of like a savory pie with layers of thin dough and duck, which was wonderfully done. I read that Chameau is the only Moroccan restaurant in LA that makes the traditional bastilla dough rather than substituting phyllo, which is easier to work with. All I know is that it was excellent. For our main course, we split the lamb shank with quince and had sides of baby onion couscous and market vegetable tagine - all really good. I especially liked the mix of flavors in the lamb, which was fall-off-the-bone tender. We even had dessert - again, a bastilla, but sweet, and really enjoyable.

The service is something else I feel I should mention as it was impeccable. Our waitress was attentive and incredibly friendly. She knew how to explain the food and the cuisine, and let us know that the main courses were meant to be split so we didn't order too much food. She seemed to really enjoy working there, which isn't something you experience a lot in LA.

And finally, the sangria at Chameau is excellent - better than anything I've had at tapas restaurants in LA. Seems like someone finally understands that a good sangria needs spices!

Chameau was great all around. I can't wait to go back!

• Pros: food, service, sangria
• Cons: none

11/06/07

Always Terrific

by mrfhills

I've loved this restaurant since its Silver Lake days on Hyperion Avenue. The food is so special. The Fairfax location has a warm feel and friendly service.

07/28/07

Great food, friendly service

by bruindre

Went here to try something new - what a great experience! Everything we tried on their new summer menu was delicious (the menu now is 'designed' for entrees to be shared). The place even has Moroccan wines to choose from. The staff was extremely friendly and honest (told us, after allowing us a taste, that Moroccan wines are merely a novely for the restaurant). Parking can be a pain, but beyond that, a great, relaxed environment.

• Pros: excellent food, relaxed surroundings inside.
• Cons: parking is tough, service was a little slow.

04/28/07

examplary customer service

by mometo

So friendly, unpretentious, gracious stuff! The decor is cozy, funky but also very inviting. The food is out worldly and ?nouveaux?, so do not expect to see the usual Moroccan fair like Moroccan chicken or Harira. If you want to eat well and to feel like you very well deserve it this is the place!

• Pros: service, ambiance, food
• Cons: hard to find

11/01/06

The BEST food, environment, & drinks in Los Angeles

by jessbert

I love the cozy yet cool environment that this place provides. It's intimate and romantic but also a great place to go with a group of friends. I've eaten at this place about 6 or 7 times and every single time I leave there with every expectation met and more. The white sangria has become my new staple and it's really hard not to leave there drunk! (so make sure you have a DD if you're drinking the sangria.) The duck bastia is one of the most perfect appetizers with the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The lamb melts in your mouth and the cous cous and veggies go perfectly as sidekicks to the lamb. Dessert is irresistable! Oh and don't forget to get mint/green Moroccan tea with dessert!!!

11/13/05

Horrible service

by onefootskinny

I've never felt more insignificant in a restaurant before. We were seated promptly, but to wait 15 minutes before we had a glass of water. When we were trying to compare 2 or 3 bottles of wine, our server was clueless. "Ah, that one's very good. That is also very good." We both really enjoyed the food. It seemed the guy that delivered our food was more attentive than our server. Our water was filled once...since I was particularly thirsty when arriving, I drank my glass within a couple of minutes of it being poured. I didn't get a refill untill just before the check arrived. We didn't stick around for dessert. This was a special occasion, and though the food was tasty, the service was extremely poor and odd- almost distracting. Will not return. Awful experience.

• Pros: tasty food
• Cons: bad vibe, incompetent service, easily hear neighbor