Tagine
132 N. Robertson Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA
Wilshire Boulevard
310-360-7535
At the tiny Tagine in Beverly Hills, Morocco is a state of mind. Think Rick's place from "Casablanca" updated for the 21st century, with a trio of savvy young owners standing in for the Humphrey Bogart character. One of them, wearing a fedora, sits at a back table, doing the accounts on his laptop while cool jazz -- Chet Baker -- plays on the sound system. On second thought, maybe it's the wine list he's working on. Christopher Angulo used to be a sommelier at Water Grill; Ryan Gosling, a movie actor and another owner, is our waiter and the front of the house. The chef Abdessamad "Ben" Benameur is the third partner, and the only Moroccan. The three met working at Water Grill.
-- S. Irene Virbila
Times Restaurant Critic
Jan. 18, 2006
Hours: Tue.-Sun., 6-11 p.m.
Venue Details
| Cuisine |
African
,
Middle Eastern
|
| Rating |
|
| Ambience |
Charming Moroccan boîte with velvet banquettes, Moroccan lanterns, flickering candles, and a cool jazz soundtrack. Small and intimate, without the usual Moroccan shtick.
|
| Best dishes |
Traditional salads, shrimp and scallop briwat, grilled kefta, bestila, braised lamb shank with honey, Cornish game hen, sea bass with charmoula, shrimp tagine.
|
| Best table |
The corner table in the window.
|
| Drink picks |
Wine and beer.
|
| Of Note |
Street parking. There are plans to open for lunch beginning in mid-February 2006.
|
| Prices |
Appetizers, $6-$14; main courses, $12-$21; dessert, $6; set price menu, $32 per person; vegetarian version, $27 per person.
|
| Service |
Relaxed and informal.
|
| Wine list |
Modest one-page list that includes a Moroccan red, and some pricey Cabernets. Corkage, $15.
|
