What to see in Casablanca: Villa des Arts

Looking for the perfect place for a romantic date? Forget all the coffee shops and snob terraces, bring your date to the Villa des Arts for an special meeting that will last in your memories: "in our first date, Mustapha took me to a museum", sounds better to me than "we went to starbucks". Villa des Arst is a heavenly place in the very center of Casablanca, and they usually have on show nice exhibitions...and barely anyone looking at them. Split in two floors, this old Art Deco house, that dates from 1934, has also a permanent cute collection, and belongs now to the ONA Foundation. The place promotes contemporary art and other purposes, if you want you can even rent it for a party in the most pure Gatsby style. The garden is specially peaceful and we miss not having a little coffee shop on the side which be truly amazing. The entry is free and makes a good stop for tourists and residents alike.

30 boulevard Brahim Roudani Rue Abou El Kacem Chabi, الدار البيضاء 20000, Marruecos

Tel:+212 22295087

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Eglise Sacré Coeur de Casablanca...an unusual Art space

The former Cathedral of Casablanca is not your usual temple. It was built in 1930 in some neo-gothic-deco style that is not completely unpleasant for the eye and reminds for some reason the pure white churches that you find in some Greek islands. With the independence of Morocco in 1956 the building ceased all religious functions and became a cultural center where regular exhibitions are held in a space like no other. The interior is neglected yet charming, worth a visit also because is situated in the quiet Parque de la Ligue Arabe, which is also neglected and derelict, but with some rebel trees that refuse to die. Entrance is free. 

Parque de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca, Morocco

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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

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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

http://www.paul.ma

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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

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Maison Blanche Restaurant and Bar

Recalling a powerful Swiss bank or the memorable Central Station in New York, Maison Blanche is one of those places that makes you feel like a celebrity. The young team behind the project hired one of the best designers in the world, Christophe Pillet, to create a white marble palace of unique extravagance, with the only condition that had to be warm and cozy at the same time. And he delivered.

The service is discreet and effective, the people is always beautiful and rich, and the food is exquisite and carefully crafted. Gatsby is a regular at the bar and that gives you and idea of what can be going on in there, it can be a relaxed afterwork drink, one free aperitivo 'like in Milano' or even some improvised dancing on a Thursday night. Not as crowded as other A-venues, Maison Blanche is the perfect choice for the discerning hedonist.

Prices à la carte: between 300 and 500 dhs

Eating in the Bar: 150-200 dhs

Rue Mohammed abdou, Casablanca 20000, Maroc

www.maisonblanche.ma

tel. +212 5222-76476

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