Marrakesh Authentic Moroccan

• Marrakesh Authentic Moroccan website

• Location: NW 23rd (restaurant row)

• Price to fill up two people: About $40

This was unfortunately a miss. I went in early (5:30 or so) on a Friday night a couple of years ago, and the staff almost overwhelmed me with fervent attention–I was the only one there. Settled into the cushions, did the rosewater handwash thing, they turned on the authentic Moroccan music CD and I was thinking “wow, this is kinda fun.” Then they brought the food and spoiled the whole thing.

Moroccan food is usually on the sweetish side, but this was drowning in rosewater syrup. Sweet course after syrupy course it went on, until I hailed the entree with relief–FINALLY, something savory. Unfortunately, the giant mound of beef was literally dripping with syrup. And as I contemplated whether to send it back or simply pay for the meal and escape, they brought dessert: Baklava. I gave up and fled…and the waiter chased me out the door with a doggie bag.

To this day–and given the great reviews it’s gotten–I can’t decide if the chef simply had a bad day…or somebody was bored and wanted to see if the American lady would actually eat that stuff. Still haven’t gotten the courage (or the stomach) to go back.