Casablanca
Living in Saigon, every now and then I find myself in a bit of rut. I go to the same places, see the same people, and do the same things. So when the opportunity came along to explore even slightly further afield than Districts 1, 2 and 3, I leapt at the chance. To be fair, Casablanca, in District 10, is only ten minutes by motorbike from Saigon’s epicentre, so it’s not exactly the place on the map marked ‘unknown territory’, but it’s far enough out of my usual stomping grounds to give the evening an air of adventure. Tucked down a quiet alley, the restaurant makes its home on the ground floor of the owner’s house, giving it a comfortable, cosy feel. The menu is succinct but enticing and wonderful aromas emanate from the kitchen. Appetites piqued, we order a wealth of food.
Casablanca Moroccan Cuisine
The first Moroccan restaurant in Saigon’s history has an intimate, cozy setting. Couscous mains start at around VND100,000, while couscous with lamb, chicken and beef is just under VND200,000. Other Moroccan specialties such as slow–cooked lamb with almond and plums and roasted quail with sweet mrozia sauce are also on the menu. Chef Riahi’s home–made pastries such as baklava and “gazelle horns” filled with almond paste are a rarity in the city.
58/9 Thanh Thai, Q10, Tel: 3862 8859. Open 6pm to midnight. Closed Monday
