Recommended as a top spot for a delicious dinner and even better entertainment, Le Comptoir Darna is the restaurant to visit in Marrakech. Described as a place where celebrities frequent (I’m not sure if this is just a rumour), and a fashion hot spot, the lighting, décor and dancers definitely convinced me it was a stylish fusion of Arabian Nights and Soho London.
You’ll need to book to ensure you get a table and I’d suggest a 9pm seating at the earliest so that you can enjoy the party atmosphere. There are two floors, with the ground level being the more formal dinner area and upstairs feeling more like a bar lounge.
Ladies, if you’ve had a little black dress hanging in your wardrobe for some time, this is the place to wear it. The staff wear tighter and shorter ones than I’d perhaps dare, but they do look pretty hot. Plus, they look underdressed next to their late night friends. I played it safe, in a leopard print red number.
First things first though. The food.
The menu features Moroccan classics and more familiar westernised dishes. Everything that I tried was bursting with tasty flavours. Really, really lip-smacking good flavours. Even the complimentary olive, sundried tomato, and plain rolls were delicious.
I went for the assortment of seven Moroccan salads, which arrived on a tower of, you guessed it, seven plates. Heads turned as the waitress presented little me with plate after plate. Ever the obliging guest, I devoured caramelised pumpkin, glazed courgettes, sumptuous tomatoes…the rest is a bit of a foodie blur.
Jay was a little more restrained and went for the soup of the day.
My main was heaven on a plate, though Jay is quite adamant that his was the best dish. Despite the website listing salmon in a teriyaki sauce, the restaurant menu is correct. It’s salmon with tandoori sauce and it is divine.
The mashed potatoes with homemade crisps are a delicious side-kick to the plump salmon.
On recounting his encounter with the shredded lamb in Atlas Mountain herbs Jay looks as though he might melt. He swears it is the best lamb he has ever had and that he’d quite happily go back to Marrakech to eat it all over again.
I doubt him and think his memory is tainted because that’s the point in our evening when the belly dancers arrived. We’d been told Le Comptoir Darna was where the best dancers were showcased and we definitely enjoyed the show.
You’ll see ladies carrying massive trays of candles on their head, not to mention sexy ladies shaking their booties. There is so much going on that you won’t know where to look. It is amazing and really well choreographed.
I was really praising the dancers to Jay, saying how sexy yet classy they were and that I loved it was tasteful, when typically, one hopped up on a neighbouring table. Sighting the 20 euro note she clearly fancied some pocket money and notched up the shimmy shakes to another level. That said, it was never vulgar and I still enjoyed it all.
Well, after all that excitement, all I can say is brace yourself for dessert. Seriously guys, you know I love chocolate and am fully qualified to certify a true chocolate masterpiece.
The waiter did a double take when I tasted the first mouthful of the rich ‘molten dark cake’. I don’t remember if I groaned or said ‘wow’, but either way he got the message. Compliments to the chef and then some. I’m told the caramel tart with smooth toffee and homemade sorbet is delicious too, but quite frankly I only have eyes for the molten.
By about 11pm the DJ on the second floor is ready for the partying to start and the music gets going. All in all it is an amazing evening and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’m even thinking of looking into belly dancing lessons…! X
Read More…
Born Again in Marrakech (Hammam experience)
Understated Glamour in Marrakech
Things to Do and See in Marrakech
That food sounds like heaven!! I think I may have to try this place when we visit Marrakech. Purely for research purposes of course ;)
Was going to message you to say you HAVE to try the molten cake. So. Good.
Bring me some home?!
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