I reached my goal!
It is July 4, a year from the day I set my goal, to experience 50 culturally different dining adventures in a year! I wasn't sure I was going to make my goal a couple weeks ago. I had nearly 50 countries on my list, but I had about run out options...unless I was going to get on a plane. Luckily a diner at a Uruguayan restaurant quizzed me about my list and let me know there was a Moroccan restaurant in Houston! 5 bonus points for one dining adventure leading to another!
Not just Moroccan
This funny little place on Richmond Avenue is actually Moroccan and Indonesian. The restaurant is owned by a man from Morocco and his wife from Indonesia.
Lots of restaurants serve 2 kinds of foods, but this is a pretty unusual combination! 5 bonus points for that!
Lots of restaurants serve 2 kinds of foods, but this is a pretty unusual combination! 5 bonus points for that!
Sigi and Lilian, of The Twits
The Twits is a group I've dined with for years, so no first time in the blog bonus points for them.
However, I must give 2 bonus points for Sigi and Lilian because they joined me on the evening of July 3, so I could reach my goal! (all other Twits seem to be out of the country!) We had a nice toast and Sigi even made me a certificate! I guess we could have celebrated further with a little Hookah fun...but that didn't seem to be happening.
However, I must give 2 bonus points for Sigi and Lilian because they joined me on the evening of July 3, so I could reach my goal! (all other Twits seem to be out of the country!) We had a nice toast and Sigi even made me a certificate! I guess we could have celebrated further with a little Hookah fun...but that didn't seem to be happening.
Inside
We arrived around 7 and found our little restaurant very quiet. But that makes it easier for exploring and picture taking.
Atmosphere
We can't give bonus points for lots of activity or even music. Too bad it wasn't belly dancing night. That could have given us mega points for making our evening memorable! I will however give 10 bonus points for curious items decorating the cozy restaurant! I love the window to the kitchen, with colorful plates and tiles surrounding! And the unusual metal and jewel lamp above! I only wish I could have gotten the stories behind each item. Why didn't I find out which items were from Morocco and which were from Indonesia?
Shelves and mirrors...pots and candle sticks...
There were many intriguing pieces of decor worth photographing. But there were a few things I missed capturing.
Things like window air-conditioning units. I don't think I've ever seen a window unit in a restaurant since I moved to Texas.
1 bonus for that bit of retro! And 1 bonus point for Al Jazeera TV with its soccer matches and Arabic news. I don't actually like TVs in restaurants, but it did add some Middle Eastern flavor.
Things like window air-conditioning units. I don't think I've ever seen a window unit in a restaurant since I moved to Texas.
1 bonus for that bit of retro! And 1 bonus point for Al Jazeera TV with its soccer matches and Arabic news. I don't actually like TVs in restaurants, but it did add some Middle Eastern flavor.
Moroccan Food
I've had Indonesian food, but never Moroccan, so I ordered Beef Tangine with peas and artichokes. This stewish dish was served with a choice of rice or bread. I chose bread, since that is most common. But Moroccan bread is hard to duplicate in The States evidently. This pita bread was not worthy of the rich flavored stew.
Couscous
Sigi ordered the Chicken Couscous with a nice combination of buttery vegetables and grilled onions. I actually liked this better and Sigi liked mine better. 3 bonus points for having friends who like to share!
Indonesian Food
Lilian ordered 3 of these little round Bergedel appetizers ...which tasted much better than they looked. These potato treats were piping hot and filled with vegetables and minced beef. She also shared some of her Mee Hoon Goreng, which I didn't manage to photograph before we dug in. This Indonesian dish looked like a mountain of rice noodles, stir fried with egg, veggies, seafood and chicken. All 3 of our dishes were fun and different. Great variety and reasonable prices! 5 Points for food at Casablanca.
People Encounter
Rini, was very gracious serving us. She is from Indonesia, which gives us 3 bonus points! She was a bit shy about having her picture taken, but I showed her on the camera and she seemed pleased with the results. I'm pleased because I look taller than 5'3'' in this photo!
Rini was less shy with the family dining beside us with 2 young children. I couldn't understand their language, but it was clear that they were also from Indonesia.
As we departed, we promised Rini we'd be back. And now that I've reached my goal of 50+ different countries, it's time sort out all those good dining memories and revisit my favorite places!
Total of 35 points for Dining at Casablanca!
Rini was less shy with the family dining beside us with 2 young children. I couldn't understand their language, but it was clear that they were also from Indonesia.
As we departed, we promised Rini we'd be back. And now that I've reached my goal of 50+ different countries, it's time sort out all those good dining memories and revisit my favorite places!
Total of 35 points for Dining at Casablanca!
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