With its pleated fabric ceiling, giant mirrors, mosaic-topped tables, and lanterns and candles throughout, Le Tagine sets the right scene for what we reckon is the best couscous in the city.
We started with a refreshing welcome drink of a curacao cocktail made with fig liqueur, orange juice and mint that slips down all too easily, and there’s also a fine wine list. Spiced carrot snacks set the tone for the food – for a starter, we struggled to choose between a pigeon pastille or the ‘brick à l’œuf’ (a poached egg enrobed in a crispy shell), but the egg won. And what a win – the crust cracks perfectly, revealing a luscious eggy interior that goes perfectly with homemade harissa.
The portions are enormous, all the better to dig into, but make sure you save room for the star of the show: the couscous. We ordered the €21 special, filled with a mix of delicious meats, including sausages and lamb marinated in mustard and saffron. The semolina is hand rolled and strewn with bits of potato, carrot and courgette, as well as chickpeas and raisins. The sauce is packed with spices and fresh coriander, making for a marvellously flavoured dish.
No Moroccan meal is complete without traditional mint tea and Arab pastries and these don’t disappoint either. Once you’ve recovered from the over-indulgence, you’ll be heading straight back.
TRANSLATION: MARIA THOMAS