Marrakesh Restaurant

02/15/09

CHEAP SERVICE FOR AN OVEREXPENSIVE PRICE!

by Razmig1

We called to reserve on Valentine's eve. A very rude hostess answered the phone and told us that on Valentine's, there would be a special menu. We asked if we'd still have the choice between this "special" menu and the ones we were used to (yes, we had been there before), and she replied with a dry "yes".

We got there on Valentine's to be told by one of the waiters that we had no choice, and that the special was actually the usual menu minus the soup that they serve as an appetizer, WITH an extra 15 dollars charge!!

So this is the second time we felt we'd been lied to (the first time being the "couscous royal" mentioned on their website, when they actually haven't had the required merguez for about a year! And they don't even adjust the price as well).

Now, you'd expect something really special for $40 a person? YES!! You get that:

The waiter who brings you towels when you ask him for a knife, and who doesn't understand the signification of the word "straw", and who even writes you on the check the amount of tip that he wants.... WHEN YOU'RE JUST A PARTY OF 2 (TWO, DEUX, DOS, ZWEI, YERGOO !!!)!

For an extra 15 dollars/person, you'd also expect something special about the food, right? Well, if you're a party of 2, you have to share one single plate of the appetizer's salad and pancake (same thing if you're 5, like the table next to ours: ONE S.I.N.G.L.E PLATE). But let me reassure you! This is not limited to Valentine's day. That's how it always is over there.

So when we caught the hostess after dinner and told her that she had given us a wrong information, she didn't even apologize. Where did the extra $15/ person go? I don't really know, but the service was cheap, the quantities were cheap and you basically end up paying $40/person just for a plate of couscous.

• Pros: I was seated promptly not to be waited on correctly
• Cons: All the rest! Don't go there!

02/04/09

Authentic Moroccan Style!!! Had a blast!

by Kelley22

I just got back from Paris where I had eaten at an authentic Moroccan restaurant. When I got back home to Los Angeles, I was DYING to take my family. I found this place on citysearch and off we went. We had a blast. Valet parking is really easy and only costs 3.50. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with dim lighting, Arabic music, and lovely authentic decor. They will provide you with a wine list menu that offers either by the glass or bottle, but the waiter will recite the dinner menu to you, so I would check out the menu on their web site before visiting. All meals come with the soup, salad (which is served on a plate with three different yummy Moroccan tasties), and Bastille which is a famous Moroccan appetizer (chicken, milk, eggs and almonds inside a light dough and dusted with powdered sugar) and its a HUGE portion. You will then have different choices for your final dish which the waiter will describe to you. SUPER friendly staff. The seats are low and there is a belly dancer who will come wiggle at your table and ask you to dance. Did I mention the super friendly staff? They are so proud of their food, tea, and restaurant that they really take pleasure in visiting with you and ensuring your experience is A++++. Cant wait to take my friends!!!

08/26/08

Beautiful Place Fun and Exotic

by yummieyums1

I have been here three times and have had a great time every time! The food is very specific however. I would not be afraid to ask the waiter to explain some of the choices. IT IS FAMILY STYLE, so make sure you go with friends who are fairly easygoing and willing to eat with your hands only. Nothing less fun than having a member of your party pouting because they need a "fork." Also, Ladies, don't wear outfits you can't sit and move easily in. Low benches and small "tuffets" to sit on.Bellydancing a blast and the dancers are very friendly and encouraging. To those who complain about the surprise amount of the bill. If youdon't know the price,and have never been there, ASK FIRST!!!!!!!!!! Great time, everybody in my party would go back!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: Decor Experience Food Fun
• Cons: diet specific

05/18/08

Good food, nice atmosphere, & a chance to learn to belly dance

by Topper101

We just ate there yesterday, so we have some helpful advice:

1. Check their menu online and see if you like it, because when you get there, you realize there are no written menus and your waiter will recite the menu to you. Also, there are only 4 entrees to choose from, and it's family style meals. What this means is the ENTIRE party will be eating the same food, and you can't order individually.

2. If you are expecting really, and I mean REALLY authentic Moroccan food, you might be dissappointed. We got the chicken and olives, and it tastes like something mom would make -there were strong, ethnic spices or anything.

Overall it was a good experience, food for 4 people came out to $108. Be warned, the chicken/ egg/ almonds appetitzer thing they bring out before the meal is AMAZING and you will wish there was more of it. The food tasted great, the atmosphere was very good, and the belly dancers were very nice, and if they beckon you, go ahead, get up and let them show you how to belly dance! When we went, we decided to go up and dance with her when she came around, and then everyone got in the mood, and at least one person from every table got up and danced with her. HAVE FUN!

• Pros: ambience, food
• Cons: lack of selection

02/05/08

Really really really good

by johankharabi

Great food...really great food. The atmosphere is one-of-a-kind, they even have a pretty sweet bar and eating at this place is really an awesome experience.

• Pros: The food, atmosphere
• Cons: the price

12/28/07

would be a higher rating if...

by scorpiogirl10

I would give it a higher rating if they gave more choices on the menu. The foods great, service is fine. But it's so annoying not to be given a menu and not being able to choose a la carte. Its great if youre wanting to spend quite a bit for dinner, even if it is a lot of food. But I don't like having the choice of paying less to get less. i've wanted to go so many times and chose another restaurant because of the lack of menu choice.

It's terrible for party's since it's a fixed menu and if someone just wants to eat a little like an appetizer and a drink. It's very inconvenient for people to estimate what they owe.

It would be wonderful if the owners would read our common comments and make adjustments. I'm sure it would increase their business.

• Pros: food, atmosphere
• Cons: fixed price, lack of a la carte menu

09/25/07

Great food, great ambiance, but they added a service charge for four people

by loves_good_food

The food was great Moroccan food. There was four of us and they gave us a lot of food for four people. It was lame that they don't give you a menu, but there's one online and we decided what we wanted before we got there. I enjoyed the food and the belly dancing was nice too. I went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded at all, but there were people there.

What I didn't enjoy was the service charge they tacked on. We were planning to leave a 20 dollar tip for the four of us, but when the bill came, they wrote on a 25 dollar service charge. We didn't say anything because it was a good meal, but it would have been more professional of them to have a sign or tell us. Still, the food was worth it and I do plan to go back again. But when I do, I'm definetly going to ask them to take that service charge out because it is seriously ridiculous.

• Pros: Tasty food, ambiance, authenticity
• Cons: waiter told us the menu, added service charge

Moroccan eatery with exotic dancers and exotic cuisine.

by Contributor

In Short
This vibrant eatery brings a touch of exotic flavor to suburban L.A. Low, tented ceilings and a myriad of tassels set a sultry mood. Servers in traditional costume initiate a cultural infusion with a hand-washing ceremony, and belly dancers shimmy to feverish tunes. The mixed grill starts with a garbanzo and lentil soup and anise-flavored rolls served with a garden of salads. Bastilla is sweet and savory: chicken, egg and milk wrapped in phyllo dough, then dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

09/20/06

Shake It But Don't Break It

by therealdiningdiva

Very pricey. Bill was $400 for a party of five. And we are NOT big eaters or drinkers. The belly dancers shaking their stuff was fun to watch as they ask for crowd participation. There is nothing funnier than watching someone drunk, try to belly dance.

07/28/06

Excellent Food & Service!

by gidgetscout

This is my favorite restaurant! The food is worderfull and the service is great. Everyone I have brought to the restaurant has loved it. I've gone there with groups of two people to six and there is always more food than we can eat. I recommend going on a week night, Friday and Saturday the place is packed. I don't recommend it for children unless they have diverse tastes in food. You'll love the atmosphere, the chance to sit for hours with friends and not feel like the staff is trying to kick you out. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience!

• Pros: Excellent Food, Ambience, and Service!
• Cons: parking, busy on the weekends.