CLOSED

22 Clifton Country Rd Clifton Park, NY 12065

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A secret theory that many civilians of Clifton Park solemnly understand is slowing becoming a reality as time goes on. In the Clifton Park Center Mall, there is one certain corner lot that every year is shown a new restaurant, but the next year is leaves. Next to Sakura, the Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse, the vacant lot is open to any adventurous owner that dares to start a business. Usually, and for the past couple years, the spot has been taken up by Mediterranean cuisines. Marrakesh was a Moroccan restaurant that had potential to be successful, if it wasn’t for the lack of diversity in Clifton Park. It seemed that even though food may be served of the highest quality, it takes more than that to survive in the restaurant business.

I visited Marrakesh on Christmas Eve. Me and my girlfriend thought it would be a great place to check out, since we were both dying for fine dining food, as well as food that occupied a new style and technique. It was very sad to see that Marrakesh is now closed, since in my opinion, it had some of the best food in the area. The containment of freshness, as well as love and care with the food, was unlike any other place in its league.

It was a dark night, and a rather snowy one. If anything it was the perfect day to celebrate a Christmas dinner with my girlfriend. As we entered the dimly lit room, the air was filled with a gentle, perfumy Persian scent. As we looked around the place, we realized quickly that we were going to be in for a nice time. Not only was there classic seating, but also traditional Muslim seating. There were colorful couches, hassocks, round, brass tables, tapestries, and beautiful ceramic constructions.

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It is quite rare to find an atmosphere so soothing and luxuriated. The decorations and the style of the restaurant were unlike anything of any other restaurant around, and it even compares and beats many in Albany and on Wolf Road. The artwork was classic Moroccan, mimicking Safavid or Berber styles. The Moroccan star, resembling bravery, valour, and strength is designed in all of the hassocks. When it was light outside, the sun filled up the room, reflecting the colors of the gorgeous walls upon the interior. At night, the dimly lit restaurant made for a romantic setting and feeling.

Our waiter came up to us very excited, as if he hadn’t seen a customer in a week. One of his questions was: what type of seating did we want? We could choose between the normal, table or booth seating, or the traditional seating: on a couch or on an ottoman. Obviously, as someone who loves to take risks and try new things, we chose the traditional seating. The experience was lifted even higher when you experience things the way that they are made to be. It was a new element, and it added quite a lot of charm to the dinner.

After a few minutes of looking into the intensive and exotic menu, we decided we wanted to start with a Falafel appetizer. It took some time for the dish to arrive, but it was worth the wait. From the first bite, I could tell that the amount of passion put into the dish was extravagant. Everything about it was perfect: the duel texture of moist and dry in the falafel, the bitter yet sweet tahini sauce, and the lovely presentation of the lettuce. From the looks of it, it seemed that it took some time to get it right, and it was worth it.

The dish that I ordered was the Marrakshee Tagine. It was an expensive dish, at $22.99, so my expectations were quite high. The components are meatballs in a tomato sauce with olive oil and parsley with a hint of the special Harissa sauce for some spice. It took a reasonable amount of time for it to be prepared and taken out, but from the experience with the past dish, I was willing to wait. I was given the option of rice or bread, and with or without egg. I chose the bread and the egg, to try it out.

My one complain about the dish is the presentation, but it is not a big one. When it came out, it was a little weird in presentation. It did feel like that there could have been some components missing, but there was some allure to it. It was a new dish for me, after all. The taste is what I am the most concerned about.

I was quite impressed with the dish; the tangy and sweet contrast, the addition of the egg as a separate texture to the meatballs, the seasoning of the meatballs, and the flavor of it all combined. The wonderful tomato base was a little bit runny for me personally, so if I was to order it again, I would get it with rice instead of bread, even though the naan was cooked to perfection. As a whole, the dish was fantastic. It truly did live up to my expectations. I can say the same about my girlfriend’s Kefta Style Beef wrap.

Clifton Park people are not looking for food outside of their comfort zone. That usually is the reason why many of these places do not last very long. The expensive prices, longer waits, and the exotic food is not everyones cup of tea. It is sad to see that such a passionate restaurant can die out in under a year, especially with the expense it must have costed them to start up. The chances seem grim, but I hope the area can learn from Marrakesh.

Service: 10/10

Setting: 10/10

Food: 9/10

I really miss this place.