اكشصنيف بمراكش "Rating Marrakesh"

*Price: Chief of Staff

With a few nice Junior Hill Staffer appetizers that work as a light main course

Accessibility: Metro accessible

Less than two blocks from Dupont Circle metro stop (red line)

Atmosphere:

Small fountain in main dining section where the belly dancer comes out; traditional Moroccan clothing, decorations, and dinnerware lining the walls; seating was a blend of what you would expect at a Moroccan restaurant (sitting on the floor with pillows, or on very low couches) and traditional American dining with half of the table on normal chairs and the other half on raised couches--traditional American dining tables were available in the front of the restaurant

Food: 8.4 of 10

Every one of our bellies danced after our meal. Not the dance of a belly that has visited South America for the first time and tried food from a street vendor either, it was a dance of delight, perhaps something like this.

While everything we tried received high marks, the tangines were the highlights. I scarfed down the lamb and artichoke tangine and one DC Dinner "clubber" called his chicken mkali, "the best chicken I've ever had."

Note: He prefers to be called a "clubber" as it fills that void in his life left by marriage. Nothing brings him more joy than telling his co-workers at the United States Department of [blank] on DC Dinner Club days that he is "going clubbing tonight." Sadly his refusal to drop the "g" in the words "going" and "clubbing" is a dead giveaway that he is full of it.

Very high marks were also given for chicken pastry appetizer and all forms of couscous.

Portions:

Another "clubber" commented at the conclusion of the meal, "I'm not overly stuffed, but the thought of eating more food is gross." Don't take that as a negative, it was meant as a positive. The portions were not huge, but the food was filling and any appetite you might have left when the belly dancer comes out will quickly vanish.

WTF Experience of the night:

Belly dancer attempted to get each of the males in attendance, who were clearly sitting with their wives, to get up and dance with her...and her belly...bellies. Here she is in all her glory once again.



Word to the wise:

The waiter will tell you your only option at dinner is the group dinner at $30 a pop and that you may not be able to order a'la carte, but we believe that was just a sales play as he relented very quickly.

So, while the jury is still out on whether or not free refills are offered on sodas, Marrakesh at 2147 P Street NW is a place we all plan on returning.

*Pricing Chart:
Intern = <$10
Junior Hill Staffer = $10-15
Chief of Staff = $15-20
Lobbyist = $20-30
I Live on River Road in Potomac, MD = >$30