THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Marrakech highspots

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Marrakech highspots

In Marrakech recently, The View from Fez team dropped in at Dar Cherifa to view their latest exhibition.

In a stunning 17th century house, this cafe literaire has lots of books to pore over and regularly holds exhibitions - right now it's photographs by Francoise Atlan, perhaps better known for her performance of Catalan, Ladino and Sephardic song. Dar Cherifa is a wonderful space to escape the bustle of the medina and enjoy tea or lunch on the patio or up on the roof terrace.

tea at Dar Cherifa

Dar Cherifa is also home to Marrakech Riads which has a range of beautifully restored and simply furnished guesthouses in the Marrakech medina. With prices starting at Dh550 per room per night, these make a good-value option.

a bedroom at Dar Baraka

Part of the same group is one of Marrakech's finest restaurants, Dar Zellij. Dinner here is a special treat, with soft oud music, scattered rose petals, excellent service and memorable food.

One of the dishes on offer is trid, a Marrekchi speciality that we haven't found anywhere else. Layers of fine pastry similar to the warka used for b'stilla, are wrapped around gently-spiced meat - in this case, pigeon - and coated with smen (not unlike ghee, or clarified butter). It's a hearty dish and definitely worth a try.