by Seth Aronson
Hot Mint Tea ~ served traditionally by waiter Damien
Whether you begin your hip Casablancan adventure with a fragrant Moroccan Kiss (champagne, pomegranate juice, St. Germain Liqueur & a whisper of orange blossom), a Mor-Chilcano (Piscologia Pisco – a sublime Peruvian brandy – blended with ginger beer, mint & lemon juice), or perhaps a perfectly sweet Hot Mint Tea, before delving into unique Moroccan Tapas, you know you’re indulging at a restaurant infused with passion: in this case the passion of its owner/creator, Mouman (pronounced like Newman, but with an “M”).
Small touches – thrice steamed couscous, bread baked in-house, selecting the intriguing world music soundtrack himself – sear Mouman’s unique signature into the very essence of Kous Kous. There’s a reason why it’s the only restaurant which opened between 2005-2007 in the neighborhood that’s still around. While Mouman humbly claims his insistence on top quality ingredients merely keeps things “simple”, the delicate, yet phenomenally complex flavors of his B’stila Roll (baked Phylo stuffed with tender herb saffron chicken, orange blossom water & honey cinnamon almonds) suggest something deeper.
Spread some delicious Zaalouk (roasted eggplant flavored with cumin, olive oil, and lemon) over fresh baked bread, or hit some lentil stuffed Endive Pockets with a drop of hot sauce to get started. Try the Jewish Moroccan Shak-Shouku (roasted tomato & bell pepper, garlic, cumin and paprika, served with grilled pita), or perhaps an intriguingly tasty Tomato and Cucumber Morrocan Salad (with feta cheese, cumin, lemon juice & extra virgin olive oil, w/ grilled pita), or Moroccan Sliders (ground lamb/kefta beef /roasted veggies in house baked pita rolls with sharmoula aioli) from the Tapas menu…
Indulge in an array of Kebabs (Filet Mignon, Shrimp, Chicken, Ahi Tuna, Lamb Sausage, etc)… or delve directly into a main course. Try the perfectly seasoned House Sea Bass Special, served with rice or cous cous and fresh steaming bread; or Lamb Chops (char grilled with herb butter sauce); or maybe one of eight delicious Tagines (Moroccan slow-cooked stews braised at low temperatures, with mouthwateringly tender meat, aromatic vegetables and sauce – traditionally cooked in a tagine pot). Any way you choose, your palate will be tantalized and intrigued.
Whether you chose to explore the enticing, exotic flavors of Kous Kous as described above, or indulge instead in one of their Morrocan Feasts (served family style), by now you’re full, of course, so relax for a bit, enjoy the ambiance, and let the phenomenal juxtaposition of flavors settle, because you’re going to want to order dessert. Perhaps an Orange Blossom & Vanilla Bean custard (with toasted almonds, dates and cinnamon) to round out the evening?
Visit Kous Kous at http://kouskousrestaurant.com/or better yet, in person, with an appetite!
Kous Kous ~ Moroccan Bistro and Lounge
3940 4th Avenue, Suite 110,
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295 – 5560
Sun-Thu: 5pm-11pm
Fri & Sat: 4pm-11pm
Twitter:
@KousKousSD
Facebook:
facebook.com/kouskousrestaurant
A second location is set to open in Shanghai this winter.
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