On Friday night, my cousin
Gem returned from a week-long 'job-hunting' trip to New York. On Saturday, we celebrated her birthday as well as her success in securing a full-time design job in the big city. She leaves for a permanent move on Tuesday and I can't help but feel really sad. Gem is the cousin who I am closest to on my Dad's side of the family and while I'm ecstatic for her and the amazing opportunity she has earned, I am going to miss her sorely.
Goodbyes aside, we managed to have a grand birthday dinner for Gem at
Marrakesh in Newport Beach. I had been there one other time before and both times have been fabulous! The experience begins with a waiter passing out full-sized bath towels to serve as your 'napkin' for the eating as the meal requires the use of your bare hands for some parts. This is followed by a communal hand-washing ceremony. With all hands gathered around a basin, the waiter pours warm rose water adding a pleasant scent and supposed cleanliness to the guests' hands. Depending on what you order, the courses come out as follows.
1. Drinks. I highly recommend Casablanca-a very light Moroccan beer. I'm not a beer drinker myself but this is truly something else! Not only is it very light but it has some notes of fruit in it.
2. Lentil soup. After squeezing a wedge of lemon into this piping hot soup, you drink it straight out of the bowl. It truly does awaken your senses!
3. Four different kinds of salads-eggplant, cucumber, carrot and potato. Each one has a distinct flavor but when mixed together, it creates an explosion in your mouth. It's quite hard to describe but they are distinctly delicious!
4. Bread. It is recommended that you use the salads as 'filling' for the bread creating some sort of sandwich. The Moroccans know what they're talking about, trust me.
5. Bastilla. This is the round pastry looking dish in the collage above. It is a baked dish made out of filo dough stuffed with chicken, eggs, and almonds topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I know, it sounds like dessert with chicken but it is amazing! This is my favorite dish from this place and always will be.
6. Main Meal. Couscous with lemon-olive chicken and tender lamb. Just when you think you've had enough flavor from the previous dishes, the main meal comes out. Honestly, my favorite part of the main meal is the couscous and the cabbage! I can do without the meats.
7. Baklava. Too sweet for my taste but gets an A+ for flakiness.
8. Moroccan Mint Tea. This delightful concoction of mint, chamomile and honey is the perfect ending to an extravagant meal. I could drink this stuff all day long. There is nothing like it. And if there is, someone better tell me where!
To top it off, belly dancers circulate throughout the tents during the course of the meal making your experience that much more authentic. Marrakesh is definitely a place to go to with a big group. It is quite loud inside but you have semi-privacy by being in your own little tent. I must not forget that there is nothing more comfortable than sitting on a couch while eating one of the best meals you could ever have.
Good luck in New York Gem! I'm going to miss you cousin!
