Food

Date Night : Zizou Tagine, Balham

When it comes to date night, if we don’t plan, we drive around wondering where to go and invariably end up at a favourite.

However, I love a recommendation and trying somewhere new, so we were delighted to be invited to Zizou Tagine in the heart of Balham.  This was one date night we knew what we were going and couldn’t wait!

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We arrived at Zizou Tagine, to an authentic entrance with the embroidered Moroccan straw bags lining the heavy set Moroccan style door. You can see my debut YouTube clip off of me outside about to go in here.  (Don’t laugh – I am just learning, it took a few takes!)

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMiCRPTpPzA[/embedyt]

It was like stepping into a restaurant in Jemaa el-Fnaa. We were greeted with a warm welcome by the manager (who was the manager at Momo’s in the West End for 5 years) and showed to our table in the corner.

The lighting was low and colourful and the tables low with genuine Moroccan wares dotted around.

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One of the great things about this restaurant, is it’s Bring Your Own, so no searching a wine menu for your old favourite – just bring it with you.

We started with lots of small sharing plates. A highlight was the honey coated bitesize beetroot plate and aubergine dip.

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We were gently advised not too eat too much as we had plenty more to try on the next course. We went with the manager’s recommendation of trying the Lamb Barkouk Tagine (prunes) and the Chicken Djaj Tagine (with lemon and olives) accompanied by cous cous and Moroccan bread. Yummmmmy.

We finished with Moroccan sweets and the most delicious mint tea. I am usually adverse to anything ‘herbal’ but it was sensational.

Compliments to the chefs!  Loved the open kitchen.

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At the weekends, the downstairs is open too.

If you are a loss and want to branch away from your usual haunts – you won’t go wrong going to Zizou Tagine! We are thinking of taking the kids back one weekend to give them a different cullinary experience…

 

Rating 0-5

Ambience : 5  This is a great place in the evening, especially as the nights draw in.

Service :  4 We didn’t feel rushed but they were attentive when we needed them.

Value : 4 Very reasonable and the BYO is a good way to keep the cost down.

Taste : 4 If you like Moroccan, you will love it!

Overall 4/5

zizoutagine.com

 

 

 

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