Moroccan cities are a labyrinth of winding streets and souks, filled with treasures behind unassuming doors which offer no pretense of the magic that waits inside. On a recent jaunt to Morocco, I was led to the green arched door of Dar Zellij on an obscure neighborhood street in Marrakesh, and welcomed into a lush, tree-filled sanctuary filled with tables dusted with rose petals and faint aromas of jasmine and mint in the air. Sure – it may soon become evident that you are amongst an international crowd of tourists, but in this case it’s not a hindrance to the overall experience. Donning Fez hats, the servers are pleasant and professional as they zigzag through the maze of tables and incite the wave of delightful courses. Surrender to their guidance and take it all in – from the spread of Morrocan salads (diced beets, fava beans, carrot puree, and eggplant ratatouille), to the sweet pigeon pastilla and stewed beef with prunes and blanched almonds, it is a sweet and savory gastronomic affair washed down with a bottle of Guerrouane rose. For dessert, dashed cinnamon on fresh orange segments and sweet milk and almond pastilla are delightful. Not only does Dar Zellij excel as a restaurant, but it serves as an enchanting venue for wedding receptions and private parties where the menu is customized for the occasion and the beat of the African drums carries along the fine rhythm of a dreamy evening.
