Le 25 Casablanca, Afterwork Heaven

Go to Le 25 Casablanca for the finest Happy Hour everyday and enjoy the complimentary free food in a fashionable and luxurious frame

Bacco e Venere, a Slice of Italy in Casablanca

An unpretentious yet state-of-the-art Italian Restaurant perfect for a spontaneous romantic dinner or just to have fun amongst friends...waiter...more Chianti!

Shop like there's no tomorrow in the Morocco Mall

The biggest Shopping Mall in the whole Africa, 250.000 sqm of luxury and brands to please all pockets from Zara and HM to Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana, it comes with IMAX cinema, cafes, restaurats and the most appreciated FNAC for book hunting

The Sweetest Catwalk in Paul Villa Zevaco

Casablanca seems to be full of people that dont work. And it is. You can find them all, including yours truly, around 17h sipping a cafe or an orange juice with some delicious cakes. Dresscode: high heels and Fendi Bag.

Thursday 31 October 2013

La Bodega de Casablanca...Fiesta Loca


La bodega de Casablanca is loud, untidy, haram, antichic and incredibly fun. Split in two levels, at the groundfloor you find a tipical “taverna” style restaurant, with wood tables, low lighting, some candles and some couples holding hands that come for the nice vibe and the more than edible food at reasonable prices. Very close to the Marché central, they don't have any excuse not to be getting the best ingredients, but let's face it, no one comes here for the food. La bodega is one of those places that is always packed and always fun, everyone in their 20's has come at least once to celebrate someone's birthday and has fueled a memorable hangover here. Then there is the basement, that they call something like the bar Latino. This is the interesting place to be, you can also get the tables and the same food and the ambiance, but all doubled in intensity. Girls are often drunk and end up dancing on top of the tables, romantic exchanges are common and widely accepted and even drinks are generous in proportion and very well done specially by one barman I forgot his name but that has a beard. It is advisable to come here for dinner around 10 never later since it gets very crowded and the security man limits the entrance unless you're Gatsby. You can come only for a drink but as I said, never come after 23h or entrance will be complicated unless you have boobs. Age is not really important, everyone mixes here from 18 until 40 you're on the safe, if you're older..shouldn't you be married and at home?

Of course it works as a nice hub for soccer fans during the rest of the week, showing all the matches and is generaly a good place to take someone visiting the city that wants to know how local people have fun in Morocco.

129, rue Allal Ben Abdellah, 20.000 Casablanca, Morocco

tel. 05225-41842










Wednesday 30 October 2013

Irish Pub in Casablanca


Have a drink explaining your old boring stories like a professional in this really fun bar. The Irish Pub in Casablanca works like many of the other Irish pubs scattered around the globe, the decoration is warm and woody, with plenty of stuffed animals, they show on live TV the most important matches of the season, they sell huge amounts of beer, and there is live music that no one pays really attention to. But in order to become Gatsby-friendly they have to offer much much more. And they do. They happen to prepare one of the best mojitos in town, at 80 dhs, you are getting about half a liter mojito. If you stay (and consume) long enough, they will bring free chicken wings to your table, which is unheard of in Morocco. One of the good things about the Irish Pub is the location, location, location, right in the heart of Gauthier, so it makes perfect sense to meet up people there. Thanks also to the right kind of advertising the place is full with cool tourists that look happy enough to find something they could have at home, and starting a conversation with a neighbor table is completely normal. Quite a lot of pretty girls also and generally “new” Moroccans without drinking complexes. So if you're looking for a nice atmosphere in a place where no one really cares if you came by Audi or walking I'll see you there.

Avenue Hassan Souktani, Quartier Gauthie, Casablanca

Tel.: +212 5 22 20 02 10
 

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Elite Model Look Morocco 2013 Winner is...


A quick update for all the fashion lovers out there. The winner of the Elite Model Look Morocco 2013 is.... Nouhaila! For security reasons Im not giving you her surname (she does not want marriage propositions through Facebook since she is just 14 years old), but certainly I am keeping her number myself and I might use it in 5 years time, since she was really one of the most beautiful candidates that we remember in Elite Model Morocco. She will proudly represent Morocco in the grand final night in Shenzen, and if she wins she will sign a contract for 150.000 euros, which is much better than anything that Gatsby was doing at 14. We can only wish her the best of luck, come on Nouhaila, kick some ass in Shenzen!!

I would tell you about the cocktail in Sofitel and the afterparty that followed in Le Cabestan, but rivers of Möet & Chandon cloud my memories...but some clouds are better than the brightest sunshines.


Global Director Foued Allik, with Host Alessandro Ferrando, Bettina de Boisse and fucked up musician Mad Sid

Blend Gourmet Burger


A relatively new place in Casablanca, Blend Gourmet Burger has established himself as the reference in terms of burger quality in the city. With an easygoing look in the usual New York style, the place manages to make you feel at ease, simple tables, fun bathrooms, open kitchen and the detail I liked the most...free pickles in each table...just help yourself! With the cheapest burger starting at 75 dhs the place is obviously not a bargain, but quality stands up, and you get good meat, decent home fries and a very tiny micro salad, not for humans really. They didn't ask me how cooked I wanted the meat, which is a very bad thing since I like it rare and it came well done, but the taste was good. Unfortunately the mayonnaise was not homemade, but what it was homemade were the juices, that came in giant pots and were very very good, one was a mixture of green elements mixing apple and broccoli and other fruits, and a red one with beetroot and carrot amongst other ingredients.

The place is packed with youngsters and some cool families, and generally people you would not be ashamed of be seen with. The place does not serve alcohol, which is a good thing if you're inviting someone but a bad one if you actually want to have fun.

So basically a good place for lunch in an area with plenty of life and choice and very little parking space.

Rue Theophile Gauthier,9, Casablanca ‎
tel +212 5224-91122









Saturday 26 October 2013

Marché Central, Popular Chic


One of my favorite plans in the weekend is actually one of the cheapest eats in Casablanca, in a sunny day like today there is very little things that can challenge a visit to the famous Marché Central. Located in what it used to be the center of Casablanca, the area feels now a bit neglected, but its on its way to recovery and a lot of money and effort are put into making it a decent neighborhood. Surrounded by gorgeous Art Deco buildings, the Marché Central means literally the Central Market, the place where you can find the freshest fruits, vegetables and most specially seafood. Snob people would typically send their chauffeur, make them buy and cook it all at home ; chic people like Gatsby prefers to buy it there and give it to one of the snack restaurants that will cook everything to your taste, prepare you a refreshing Moroccan salad and offer you a not-really-sugar-free mint tea. The seating area is open and its really a pleasure to sit down in actually quite comfortable plastic chairs and see what real life is all about in Casablanca, far from the bling bling of Le Cabestan. Service including cooking, drinks and salad cost about 30 dirhams per person, and the prices of seafood inside the market depend really on how touristy you look. Oysters are about 10 dhs unit, so less than a Euro, and are amazingly good. Its always a good idea to carry kleenex with you since their kind of napkin is not quite as you may like. There is usually no problem for parking there, and with the new tram is even easier, there is one stop right en front of it called very wisely "Marché Central". You can't get lost.






Tuesday 22 October 2013

Les Frères Gourmet, more than a Tea House


Les Frères Gourmet is the kind of place where a writer can go and sit during hours and hours. No one bothers you, the service is very polite, they smile all the time, and never try to rush you so the table is free for some other client. The decoration is contemporary yet very elegant: plenty of bookcases, nice wallpapers, old photographs scattered everywhere...they have a cute little terrace for the 300+ sunny days that you get in Casablanca and is located in the most civilized of streets, where you can find Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard and many other jewelers. I know what you're thinking, but actually the clients are not as snobbish as one may imagine, they come in beautiful cars and smell expensive, yes, but they're more the connoisseur type rather than the judgmental bitch. Gatsby is a regular here, and specially enjoys the best hot chocolate in Town, thick and made out of real chocolate, not some Nesquick powder. Ice creams, sandwiches, omelettes, Frères Gourmet is a good alternative to a regular restaurant since the feeling is much nicer than in some real ones, and the prices are really affordable. Its interesting that in the upper floor they sell cute handmade arts & crafts from candles to cushions and the kind of Jewelery you could find in Ibiza...and that you can only wear in Ibiza. As many other places in chic Casablanca, they offer a car park valet.

Price of the best hot chocolate in town: 30 dhs


Rue AÏn Harrouda,9 (ex. Jeanne d'Arc), Casablanca
tel.+212 522 94 60 00


Final Night Elite Model Look Morocco 2013


Like Oscar Wilde used to say: Beauty makes princes of those who have it, and is precisely that princess that Elite Model, the renown worldwide models agency, is going to find amongst the last 10 candidates choses from the whole geography of Morocco. The beautiful Bettina, director of Elite Morocco, is preparing a bing-bling event charged with catwalks, music, and a host of exception, also known as yours truly. The place chosen is the prestigious Sofitel Tour Blanche, used to this kind of luxurious nights, and there will be a cocktail after the show I haven't drank all the champagne. The official after party is officially secret, but Gatsby promises to behave and maybe post the most embarrassing moments of the night.


Monday 21 October 2013

Sojou, quick and tasty lunch


Sojou is the healthiest option in the neighborhood when it comes to have a quick and tasty lunch before going back to work, or as Gatsby does it, enjoy the cute little terrace trying one of their smoothies when others go to work.
The daily menu changes constantly, depending on the season you can have a really nice courgette soup, broccoli soup, leek soup or even gazpacho (Spanish raw tomato soup) in summer. They propose quiches at amazingly good value, and also wraps and sandwiches. The star of the place are the self composed salads, you can choose all the ingredients and add as many of you want for as little as 0.5 dhs each, the final price might not be as cheap as the traditional Moroccan place round the corner serving tuna-can sandwiches, but the BIO label, the cleanliness and the friendly staff are spot on. If you still have doubts just try the tiramisú dessert or another of my favorites, the lovely cheesecake.
Tip: ask for the member's card and have one free dessert every ten times you come. Like Tesco says, every little helps.

Price à la carte: 50 to 100 dhs




90 rue Moussa Bnou Noussair, 20050 Casablanca
tel. 05224-72200
From 9am to 8'30pm daily



Sunday 20 October 2013

Pestana Casablanca, the Independent Republic of your Room


Pestana's concept is simple, besides a room, you get a proper kitchen and a reception area with TV, so basically you're staying in an independent flat. The whole thing used to be called apart-hotel, but because it doesn't sound cool they prefer to be called Suites & Residences. And the trick works. For a starting price of 1200 dhs you get around 40 sqm of brand new state of the art design, even the kitchen looks like we are in 2078, especially because in the future they may cook with other technologies since I couldn't find any pot. The bathroom is big and functional, with a basin. The whole hotel feels light and relaxing, the grey tones bringing good karma to our sleep.
The location is probably is the best thing altogether, belongs to the ultra new Anfa Place designed by Foster, overlooking the sea and attached to a really nice cute shopping mall. Around you can find coffee shops like Paul, and restaurants like Fluxia o Pizza Pino. The Megarama cinema is a jewel less than 4 minutes walking and the rest of the Corniche (the promenade that runs along the seaside) is right there with its infinite choice of pools and restaurants. No need to bother with other pools since you get one in the Pestana, but I would certainly recommend trying Le Pilotis for lunch. So basically if you are planning on taking a holiday in Casablanca and you have no business that force you to be in the loud center, Pestana is a good option at a moderate price. The service is kind and professional and they try their best to make you feel at home. That said don't bother about the breakfast or the lunch since there are more interesting options at a stone's throw.








Anfa Place Living Resort, Boulevard de La Corniche - Ain Diab, Casablanca
tel. +212 (0)522795700


Lizarrán...get some Tapas


Do you ever feel like you should be in Estepona, the lovely village attached to Marbella, getting some prawns 'al pil pil' and sipping a good Rioja wine? Well I do, and when you live in Casablanca sometimes that urge remains unfulfilled...that is until I discovered Lizarran, even if apparently I was not the only one cause the place is always packed. The reasons are simple, the quality is good, there is live music most days of the week, and the price if not cheap, is fair for Casablanca. You can get a gazpacho at 50 dhs, or some patatas bravas at 40 dhs, you can even have a paella if you're willing to wait 30 minutes...and don't care is not exactly like the one my friend Cristobal does. During lunch is more like a employees place, later it becomes a place where you could easily go around 19h to have a drink, since they serve alcohol, and the right time for dinner is around 21'30h 22h, where sometimes it can be difficult to get a table. The place is split in two levels, is loud and a lot of anniversaries take place there, especially in the lower floor; Gatsby prefers the more intimate upper floor where you can sit in comfortable sofas and eventually dance a bit when the wine and the music spice up the ambiance...and it always does.

Price à la carte: 100-300 dhs


92, bd d'anfa walking street (behind starbucks), Boulevard d'Anfa, Casablanca, Maroc
Tel :+212 5222-02050



Saturday 19 October 2013

Hippopotamus...Best Steak Tartar in Town



Whoever has driven in French motorways knows that there are only two human options if you want to have a decent meal when you're on the road, Buffalo Grill and Hippopotamus. The first one has yet to come to Morocco, but the second one happens to have a very very good restaurant right in the middle of the snobbish neighborhood of Gauthier. Hippopotamus is an easy one, there is never much people, no one really cares about you (sometimes not even the waitress) and its extremely fair priced. The decoration is much like in France but for some reason in this specific Hippopotamus Gatsby likes to feel that the light is specially romantic, maybe because he had lunch here with a very beautiful woman that happens now to be his girlfriend. Perfect for a secret date or a business meal, there is nothing in Casablanca like the steak tartar they serve here. First for the quality, and secondly for its price, around 90 dhs with home fries and a garlic mayo that you will come back for. In the menu you can find all kind of meats, since its the house specialty, but the pastas are also good and you can even find some salads. They serve alcohol at competitive prices and the Tarte Tatin is one of the best desserts in town.

Price à la carte: 150-250 dhs


Place de la Chaouia angle rue Mustapha El Manfalouti, Gauthier Casablanca

tel. +212(0)5 22 27 97 47



Paul Villa Zevaco


If you like the idea to see and – specially- be seen under the x-rays of all the ladies-who-lunch and that maybe are looking also for a lover or a second husband just go to Paul Villa Zevaco around 17h to have a coffee or an overpriced orange juice. Lodged in the imposing house of the famous Zevaco architect, Paul is at the same time a bakery, a pastry shop, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a garden. The fireplace room is perfect for the rainy days but the exterior seating is perfect all year round thanks to the mild Casablanca weather. The place is centrally located and makes an easy meeting point with plenty of parking space for your Panamera. It feels better than any Venezia Ice and its undoubtedly the starting place for any respectable wannabe social celebrity. Unfortunately (or maybe thanks God) they do not serve alcohol. The food is not great either, so better stick to sweets and juices.


Boulevard Abdelkrim El Khattabi et Boulevard Moulay Rachid, Anfa , 40000, Casablanca, Maroc
tel.+212 5 22 36 60 00

Bacco e Venere, new Italian restaurant on the block!


We all like Italian restaurants. For me it comes with my passport, for other people is because it makes the perfect spot for a date, for a casual time with friends or even for a family treat, all without breaking the bank balance. Bacco e Venere is a wonderful mix of cool restaurant, the one that you could easily find in Tribeca or in Covent Garden, but without the tourist feeling and some seriously yummy food, with probably one of the best two pizzas in Casablanca (I will tell you about the other sometime soon). They serve alcohol at moderate prices and the music takes you back to the glorious times of the Rat Pack team, almost as if Dean Martin was sitting on your right. The salumi antipasti (pork...mmmm!) are specially generous and is imported straight from Italy, you may continue with the spaghetti carbonara with either real bacon or an equally tasty halal option, and if somehow you're still hungry you can go for some Italian classic desserts: tiramisú, pannacotta...or as Gatsby does, treat yourself with the gorgeous cheesecake.

Price à la carte: 120-200 dhs


50 Avenue Hassan Souktani, Casablanca, Maroc
tel.+212 5222-74173