so I know I haven't posted in awhile.. (and Brian hasn't posted ever!) but here's an interesting restaurant that we went to on Friday night with Taletha to celebrate Brian's written qual being over.
Casablanca Restaurant
19 Ho'olai St., Kailua, HI
Moroccan food. They have two dining rooms: a front dining room and a back room. The back room is much nicer (it has A/C) with Moroccan-style lamps, rugs and a couch running all the way around the perimeter of the room. There are about 15 tables all spread out and on the side across from the couch they have these leather ottoman things that Taletha said are very comfortable, but Brian and I sat on the couches. Only thing about the back room is that they'll only let you in there if you are going to have the prix fixe menu, which is at least $31/person. It was excellent though. and an experience for sure.. no forks etc. - you have to eat with your hands - very sensual. and a little messy. Also it's BYOB. There's a liquor store about a block away, unfortunately we didn't know that so we walked to one 3 blocks away, but we got a good Gewurtztraminer chilled. It went pretty well with the food. A little spicy, a little sweet, and light.
Pre-course 1 - the water lady gives you towels which are your napkins. She brings this silver basin thing to the table and taking turns you each put your hands over it and she pours warm water while you wash your hands.
Course 1 - a soup. thick, brown, lots of spices, and veggies (I remember corn especially) at the bottom. Very good. Warm but not too hot. Good viscosity for sipping from the bowl (no spoons either).
Course 2 - actually served while the soup with still on the table. Bread (in pie-shaped slices) was offered from a big basket and a large platter to share was placed in the center of the table. It had 5 or so things including hummus, some pepper/tomato thing, something with cucumbers and something brown, gooey and spicy (but not spicy-hot) and cooked carrots along with olives in the center. Also very good. Basically licked the plate clean.
Course 3 - something called a B'stilla (I think). Filo dough wrapped around a nut, saffron chicken and something mix and baked into a little pie. Covered with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Excellent.
Course 4 - Main course - this one you have a choice of about 10-15 entrees. Taletha had the veggie couscous, which she liked, Brian had the Shrimp Mamounia, and I had the lamb with honey. The lamb was excellent. Slow-roasted and falling off the bone like a beef spare rib that has been in the crock pot all day. and the honey sauce was wonderful with it.
Course 5 - Dessert - Speramint tea (yummy) with funnel cakes drizzled with honey. They were pretty good, but not the best part.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mostly for the eating with my hands part. Brian says he liked it too but it was a little expensive for every week. On another note, they do have vegetarian meals (just tell them) so you can go with your veggie friends.
Casablanca Restaurant
19 Ho'olai St., Kailua, HI
Moroccan food. They have two dining rooms: a front dining room and a back room. The back room is much nicer (it has A/C) with Moroccan-style lamps, rugs and a couch running all the way around the perimeter of the room. There are about 15 tables all spread out and on the side across from the couch they have these leather ottoman things that Taletha said are very comfortable, but Brian and I sat on the couches. Only thing about the back room is that they'll only let you in there if you are going to have the prix fixe menu, which is at least $31/person. It was excellent though. and an experience for sure.. no forks etc. - you have to eat with your hands - very sensual. and a little messy. Also it's BYOB. There's a liquor store about a block away, unfortunately we didn't know that so we walked to one 3 blocks away, but we got a good Gewurtztraminer chilled. It went pretty well with the food. A little spicy, a little sweet, and light.
Pre-course 1 - the water lady gives you towels which are your napkins. She brings this silver basin thing to the table and taking turns you each put your hands over it and she pours warm water while you wash your hands.
Course 1 - a soup. thick, brown, lots of spices, and veggies (I remember corn especially) at the bottom. Very good. Warm but not too hot. Good viscosity for sipping from the bowl (no spoons either).
Course 2 - actually served while the soup with still on the table. Bread (in pie-shaped slices) was offered from a big basket and a large platter to share was placed in the center of the table. It had 5 or so things including hummus, some pepper/tomato thing, something with cucumbers and something brown, gooey and spicy (but not spicy-hot) and cooked carrots along with olives in the center. Also very good. Basically licked the plate clean.
Course 3 - something called a B'stilla (I think). Filo dough wrapped around a nut, saffron chicken and something mix and baked into a little pie. Covered with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Excellent.
Course 4 - Main course - this one you have a choice of about 10-15 entrees. Taletha had the veggie couscous, which she liked, Brian had the Shrimp Mamounia, and I had the lamb with honey. The lamb was excellent. Slow-roasted and falling off the bone like a beef spare rib that has been in the crock pot all day. and the honey sauce was wonderful with it.
Course 5 - Dessert - Speramint tea (yummy) with funnel cakes drizzled with honey. They were pretty good, but not the best part.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mostly for the eating with my hands part. Brian says he liked it too but it was a little expensive for every week. On another note, they do have vegetarian meals (just tell them) so you can go with your veggie friends.
posted by Carrie at
4:37 PM
