09/29/09

Rude service ruined our evening

by msmith24

Do not believe the 5-star reviews, likely from the owners and friends. The food is OK although overcooked, but the service is very poor and rude. We left feeling like we had been ripped off and it spoiled what had been planned as special occasin for my wife and me. Do not waste your money (or your time) on this restaurant.

• Pros: Feels like thie inside of a tent
• Cons: Rude service, overcooked food, dirty restrooms

06/03/09

Read the New Year's review!

by CourtneyP

The review written by MathGeek13 was spot-on!

Lucky for these guys they didn't actually get into a fight with that guy. My boyfriend and I did! The time that it takes to get drinks and food is unbelievable! We refused to wait that long (they lost our reservation on top of it!) so we left. That guy came running after us and picked a physical fight with my boyfriend. We did not "dine and dash" because we never had our food!

I stepped in-between my boyfriend and this guy and had to push him away and off of us. Way to go, buddy! Getting into a fight with a girl! Don't fall into the trap of a unique experience. It was definitely unique- but one I could have done without! Do yourself a favor and never go here. You wallet and self respect will thank you later

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: where should I start?

04/05/09

My favorite restaurant, hands down

by mikeyboypdx

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.

• Pros: Incredible service, atmosphere, best food in Portland
• Cons: A little on the spendy side

03/01/09

We wont go back.

by lalelod

WE have eaten at Marrakesh before and loved it. Last week was another story. We were there to celebrate a birthday. All of us ordered the beef kabobs. The meat was inedible. It was so tough and overdone that no one ate theirs.

We called this to the attention of the waiter but he just looked puzzled and shrugged.

We won't be going back.

• Pros: It's fun
• Cons: The food was awful

02/21/09

An experience!

by SarahK729

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.

• Pros: Food and a different dining experience
• Cons: Customer SERVICE!!!!

02/06/09

Awesome food, Awesome service, Good entertainment

by MikaylaCork

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!!!!

• Pros: Good food, fun environment, nice people
• Cons: Don't wear clothes that aren't suited for sitting on the floor

01/03/09

Good Food, worst sevice I have ever experienced--the watier actually tried to start a fight

by MathGeek13

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.

• Pros: Good food, interesting atmosphere, lots of selection.
• Cons: Horrible service, rude waiters, unapologetic managers, spendy.

01/01/09

Enjoyable and delicious foodie experience

by bulapdx

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.

• Pros: Laid-out menu, food was well worth the price, excellent service
• Cons: Limited seating during busy nights

12/31/08

Had a great experience

by Cabodogg

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.

• Pros: Food, value, portions, service
• Cons: Sitting on floor cushions got a little uncomfortable

12/31/08

Yummy and Fun!

by crabbykitty13

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!

• Pros: food, ambience, service
• Cons: We sat close to the door and it was a bit breezy when opened