Marrakesh - (818) 788-6354

I've attended Marrakesh before, the one in Costa Mesa. For Valentine we decided to visit the one in Studio City because it was closer. Service, attention, and food was same as Costa Mesa, (minus the tent) but I did not like the fact they write in their tip, that to me, killed the spirit. We are going to Marakesh tonight, again, but we are doing the extra drive to Costa Mesa.

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.

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!!!