Moroccan Retreat
Tagine, a sexy, discreet new restaurant in the heart of Beverly Hills opens its doors to the perfect Moroccan retreat. Designed as a hideaway by actor Ryan Gosling, partners chef Ben Abdessamad and Chris Angulo, Tagine offers traditional Moroccan delicacies .
This lantern-lit sanctuary mingles aromatic, sublime cuisine and hip jazz and Bossa Nova beats. The intimate dining room, plush and pillow strewn, is charmed with seductive lighting and fashionable Moroccan furnishings.
"Tagine is like an upscale cafe on the streets of Casablanca with authentic food prepared with great care, excellent service and an atmosphere that is relaxed and seductive," says Moroccan-born chef Ben Abdessamad, co-owner of the Mediterranean paradise. "I use my grandmother's recipes and treat our guests like they are family."
The menu changes frequently due to the market and chef Ben's whims but dinner begins with the most creamy, fragrantly spiced hummus and fresh baked pita. Then a selection of savory appetizers like the vegetable salads that include paprika-tinged eggplant and carrots with house-preserved lemon or, a true feat, the bastilla, a roasted chicken filled pastry with almonds and cinnamon. The entrees, an array of exotic comfort food such as the Persian fig and honey lamb, herb rubbed striped bass and slow-roasted hen with preserved lemon and olive. Dessert offers house-made Moroccan treats served with fresh fruit and traditional, sweetened mint tea.
The menu also offers opulent tasting menus that allow guests to sample the chef's pick of appetizers, entrees and dessert with optional wine pairings. The extensive wine list offers cuisine complementing Moroccan wines and hard to find California wines selected by co-owner, sommelier Chris Angulo. The sangria is house-made by co-owner Matt Maniscalco, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York.
Tagine is located at 132 North Robertson Blvd. (just north of Wilshire) in Beverly Hills, California. Moroccan delicacies are served Tuesday through Sunday nights from 6-10pm. Reservations are highly recommended. Exclusive events, private parties and catering are also available. For more information please call 310.360.7535 or visit www.taginecuisine.com.
