Marrakesh Philadelphia

Lil and I decided to extend our restaurant week exploration by trying out a Moroccan restaurant in Philadelphia called Marrakesh. Located close to South Street, I was pretending to know the Philadelphia road network by trying to find street parking. Bad idea #1. After a half hour of trying I finally found a spot only to end up without change for the parking meter. So after buying a drink just to get change for the meter we finally made it to the restaurant a half hour past our reservation. Bad idea #2. Marrakesh is designed as a restaurant at someone’s home. So you actually have to knock on the door before being let in. How would you feel if a guest showed up late? The restaurant was busy but I was still looking forward to the supposed 7 course meal. 7! not 3 – not 4 but 7. Bad idea #3. Apparently for restaurant week Marrakesh had downsized the menu to a measly 4 course meal – something I found out only at the end of the supposed feast. The trio of salads was interesting – I couldn’t really tell what I was eating since the restaurant isn’t lit that well but there was definitely enough salt to give my doctor enough to talk about when we next meet. The second course was a dish called Bastilla which is essentially layers of chicken, eggs, crushed almonds all put together in a delicate pastry and finally topped with powdered sugar. The third course was lemon chicken – delicate and extremely tasty. Alas, thinking that I still had four more courses to go, I was so disappointed when the waiter brought out baklava and mint tea and subtly hinted at the bill and increasing line of waiting people. Overall, Marrakesh didn’t meet my expectations and I wish the waiters did a better job of explaining the various dishes but who wouldn’t go back to a restaurant just for the baklava?