‘Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine’…..from the film Casablanca
Mar 9, 2017
Well, we have arrived in Casablanca after a 7-hour layover in Lisbon’s comfortable republican lounge and stocked with a good selection of Nespresso coffee pods and plenty of Natas ( a flan-like concoction surrounded by a flaky buttery pastry) they taste like MORE, plus plenty of other delectable morsels and drinks.
Upon arrival n Kasa we were meet plane side by a representative of our travel company and quickly whisked through immigration and customs – later to find out during dinner conversation that we have sparred a chaotic and frustrating experience.
Casablanca or Kasa as the locals call it had its origins in the 7th century BC and the original name of the city was Anfa, in the Berber language. After the Portuguese took control of Anfa in the 15th century AD, they rebuilt it, changing the name to Casa Branca, the Portuguese word combination meaning “White House”. The present name, which is the Spanish version came when the Portuguese kingdom was integrated into the Spanish kingdom. During the French protectorate in Morocco, the name remained Casablanca. In the 18th century, an earthquake destroyed most of the town. It was rebuilt by the Sultan who changed the name into the local Arabic which is Ad-dar Al Baidaa’, although Arabic also has its own version of Casablanca.
And the 1942 movie of the same name staring Bogart/Bergman engraved forever its name in celluloid.
Don’t be fool Casablanca is not the city of the romanticized film but a modern thriving, noise, traffic-clogged, fast food craved ( yes the Americans have invaded McDonald’s and Starbucks are peppered around the city) business center. Our guide mentioned that modern Moroccans are enamored with anything American, wonder if they would like to take our President.
Our guide for the trip Nadar, and our driver Budder seems likely like a perfect duo to guide us through the wonders of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Our drive from the airport to the city took about an hour, our Hotel Le-Doge is situated in the old part of the city n a narrow street off one of the city main boulevards The building, public spaces, and rooms are a bastion of Art Deco. None of the rooms are numbered but rather named by an artist of the period ours is the Charlie Chaplin Room with its velvet-lined walls, black marveled bathroom in period style furniture, a small inside patio, with the soothing sound of noisy birds. The building origins a gift of an italic architect to his wife, that’s what I call ❤️
The hotel restaurant is rated as one of the best in the city for its atmosphere and food and patronize by locals…….so let’s our palates explode…….
Starter’s; macerated olives and tiny red round pepper, Moroccan Salad 6 small tangine containing, eggplants, pumpkin, beans, tabouli, calf livers, and artichokes, Pastiste think of it as a Moroccan Empanada filled with shrimp and fish, Harrisa the national soup, know what I will be having the rest of the trip…….pure yumminess David ask for the recipe and was told that it was a family secret of the chef.
Main plates; David order the lamb ribs and I almost reached over and grabbed one, needless to say, he was gnawing at the bones. I order monkfish baked in the best tomato sauce ever and with the wonderful basket of bread served there was plenty for dipping all that tasty wonderful sauce.
Shamefully to full to order dessert.
We also enjoyed a lovey bottle of French wine.
We shared dinner conversation with a enjoyable well travelled couple from Maryland
Now you might ask what was the cost of this feast, half of what I spent at Dead Lobster for my goddaughter’s birthday dinner.
Fully satiated we retreated to a well deserved sleep.
Tomorrow on the road to Fez…..
