Le Paradis du Fruit, much more than smoothies

Probably not a destination in itself, but if you happen to be in Anfaplace doing some shopping or simply strolling in this gorgeous Norman Foster project, Le Paradis du Fruit is a very interesting option to grab a bite and a healthy juice. With ultra-modern Stark design and nice views, its a total pleasure to sit in the comfy leather sofas and see the life go by. The menu was surprisingly complete, and even if they specialize in fruit they have salads, pastas and one of my favorite things in the world...ceviche! So I decided to give it a try and was very good, if presented slightly different from the original recipe, the salmon was very fresh and good size for the price, 60 dhs. The juices were also very good and very very large, but at 40 dirhams is exactly what you expect. They have ultrafast wifi and offer free parking also. 

Unfortunately, even if in in the menu there is alcohol printed, they couldnt get the license...it would have been to good to be true.

Anfaplace, Boulevard de la Corniche, 20.000 Casablanca, Morocco

 
tel. 05227-96909

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More