Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant

Recommends

mikeyboypdx

Joined 7 years ago

My favorite restaurant, hands down. I go here as often as I can afford it. I have to fast all day before I go because you get a LOT of food. The handsome waiters are always very attentive, I love the traditional hand-washing to start off. First you get some great lentil soup and bread....oh my god, the bread is soooo good. Second course is salad marrakesh, which is also incredible. My favorite course is the b'stella royale, a puff pastry stuffed with eggs and chicken, then topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. This fanciful mix of savory and sweet always leaves me satisfied.....but wait, the entree is still to come!!!

I have tried the braised hare, the lamb m'rouzia and the chicken with honey and prunes.....all of which are great and gamey and authentic. I can imagine an honored guest at dinner in a tent in Morocco, being treated to the very best of what the family had to offer.

Finally, there is dessert....but not before your hands are washed again and aspersed with orange blossom water. Sweet mint tea is always served, and I've had fresh fruit, custard, and tarts for dessert.....they change it up.

For those who had bad food experiences....I honestly doubt it. You probably just have never had rabbit or lamb before and don't understand it can (and should) taste a little gamey. For those who complain about service: here's a hint. I always go RIGHT when they open at 5 pm. There's never a crowd at first, and I have the server's full attention. By the time I finish dinner, the place is starting to fill up, and I really don't like crowds so it's great to be able to leave just as it starts getting crowded.

If I could eat here once a week, I would, but with the current economy I manage maybe once every 6 weeks. Highly recommended, and don't believe the negative reviews.

Doesn't Recommend

SarahK729

Joined 4 years ago

An experience!. Fun experience and the food was good. It's always fun to try something new. However, we went on my birthday with a large group. I made a reservation, but it was still quite cramped. Perhaps they could try to treat the customers they do have with quality service instead of trying to get as many people as possible into the restaurant! The man on the phone was rude not once but twice when I called. We set up a reservation ensured that we would view the belly dancing, but the dancer started down stairs and never came up stairs. We were there for an hour past the promised time. Our waitress said we could take the kids down to see her and was told, "you are in the way", by a waiter. We ordered an expensive bottle of champagne and was drinking it waiting for the belly dancer to come up stairs and was told by the waiter to go pay by the door because there are people waiting for our table!!! So, great experience, but don't expect good customer service. I won't be going back. Go for something different and take it for was it is...an experience.

Recommends

MikaylaCork

Joined 4 years ago

Awesome food, Awesome service, Good entertainment. I love this resteraunt. I was taken here for the first time less than a week ago and had such a good time. It is well worth the $18.50 a person. It included the 5 course meal (which was amazing) and I loved the authenticity of it all. From sitting on the floor to eating with my fingers it was all good, but I have to say one of my favorite parts was the belly dancing. Everyone was involved and had a blast. And don't forget to try the sweet mint tea!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

MathGeek13

Joined 4 years ago

Good Food, worst sevice I have ever experienced--the watier actually tried to start a fight. We went to Marrakesh on New Years Eve with friends. The girl on the phone had told our friend that it was $20 per person, but when we arrived we saw that it was $28/person. We stayed, even though the "special" feast wasn't really different from the menu they advertise on their website for $17.50/person.

After about 20 minutes, the waiter returned to take our drink orders. He also asked if we were ready to order our meals ("Yes"). My husband ordered a Sierra Nevada Porter and the waiter said he would return with our drinks and to take our order. About 15 minutes later, the drinks finally came and instead of a beer, the waiter brought sparkling water. The waiter disappeared so quickly that my husband couldn't correct him on the drink mistake. He also still hadn't taken our food order. Nearly 10 minutes later the waiter comes back and my husband informs him of the drink mistake. He explained that he had ordered a beer and the waiter responded with "Well, we don't have that." He left to fix the drink, still without taking our order. Nearly an hour passed before we even ordered our food. The waiter didn't write our orders down and returned later to confirm the orders which he had clearly gotten wrong. We corrected him (he still didn't write it down) and the other food (salads, pastries, etc) started coming out. When the entrees started coming out it was clear that he had still screwed up the order and he had to go back to the kitchen several times.

Finally, he charged my friend $129.50 on her credit card, when she owed $29.50. We had to talk the the manager to get it fixed. The manager asked if there were any problems and we said that yes, in fact there had been. The waiter stepped out from around the corner and said "It was you guys that had the problem, not me"

Whatever! The manager didn't even apologize for the waiters behavior and we left with a horrible taste in our mouths. We spent over 3 hours there waiting and fixing mistakes.

Recommends

bulapdx

Joined 5 years ago

Enjoyable and delicious foodie experience. I've ran/walked by this place on multiple occasions and the food smell in the air when passing always caught my attention so I finally decided to try it out for New Years Day.

Service: Very pleasant on the phone in taking our reservations, quick to seat us. The server explained the menu very well and make suggestions where needed. We didn't feel rushed at all when eating the 5 courses (yes, 5 courses) which was a different experience. Most places try to get you in and out.

Atmosphere: It can be very romantic (you can cuddle on the couches while eating, although we didn't do that) and family friendly at the same time. I love the decor.

Food: Delicious! I'm a vegetarian and my partner is a meat-lover and we were both well-satisfied. I was really stuffed by the time the entree came and I had to box two-thirds of my entree. The pudding dessert with the mint tea is to die for. They complement each other so well at the end of a very satisfying meal. I can't wait to go back.

I hope to catch the belly-dancers next time.

Recommends

Cabodogg

Joined 5 years ago

Had a great experience. Four of us went to Marrakesh for the first time last night and had a great experience. We were greeted promptly and given a choice seating arrangement by our request. The server was friendly and helpful answering our questions about the different menu items. The food was abundant and delicious. We are very picky eaters and all of us found the wonderful flavors a real treat. I would definitely go back again.

Recommends

crabbykitty13

Joined 5 years ago

Yummy and Fun!. I had a wonderful meal and excellent service. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was wonderfully well prepared. The meat was tender, the bread was fresh, and the lentil soup was delightful!

I really enjoyed the orange blossom water splash, mint tea and pudding for dessert.

I can't wait to return!

Recommends

scrosby32

Joined 5 years ago

Very fun, always good food. I have been to this place several times over the years and have always had a wonderful time. It is a great place for a date, or a large group. With just two of us I have been able to get in even on a Friday night without a resv, or too long of a wait. With a larger group you should make a resv. The service is great and the food has always been pleasing (apricot chicken is yummy). The moroccan red wine is good as well. Highly recomended for those who are looking for a relaxing, fun, and stimulating meal.

Doesn't Recommend

complain

Joined 5 years ago

Bad service. I was trying to make a reservation over the phone. The man who answered the phone "interrogated" me with very rude manners. He told me if I want to watch the show (start at 8:30) I can't get there at 6:30. If I get there at 6:30 I have to pay twice ( one for the earlier seating another for the show). I can't imagine what treat I would get if I show up...better not to take that kind of risk. BAD SERVICE!!!

Recommends

120260

Joined 5 years ago

Best food I have ever had!. I never write reviews, but the food was so good, I had to write something. This was the best food I have ever had in my life! I love food with a lot of flavor and this sure did. I'm a picky eater, but agreed to at least try everything they brought out. Each course was unbelievable even though a few sounded weird. For the quantity of food you receive, the price is totally reasonable. I will go back everytime I head back to Portland. Our waiter was awesome and showed us how to eat the food as well as a taking care of our every question. We did notice one waiter who did seem a little "put out" and I will assume that is the waiter that others are complaining about. Bottom line... if you like food with a lot of flavor, you will love this place!