L'Avenue Restaurant Review

Dine on excellent food in Marrakech's newest neighbourhood

With its vast menu of French and local vintages, l'Avenue surely has the best wine list in town. But that's not the only reason to recommend this new eaterie in Marrakech's trendy Guéliz district.

Owner Nordine Fakir has dressed the dining hall with stylish contemporary furnishings, lending a debonair air, but this café-brasserie, which serves up a mix of French, Italian and Moroccan dishes, remains suitably cosy.

The menu is also a dream, with chef Guillaume Mautalent fusing Moroccan flavours with Italian techniques. Starters include beautifully presented carpaccio of sea bream, dorade and lobster, and perfectly tender squid with sautéed artichokes. Mautalent also offers a couple of mains from star chef Joël Robuchon, such as his lobster and foie gras ravioli, which is light and magnificently flavoursome. Other highlights include classic tournedos and huge battered scampi, with simple desserts of baked chocolate mousse and raspberry trifle.

Part of an emerging trend for great French-Italian food in Marrakech, the staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, while the DJ-spun music creates the kind of laid-back, sophisticated vibe that Marrakech is famous for.

A three-course meal costs 500MAD (€45) pp. Angle Route de Targa and Capitaine Arigui, tel: +212 (0)524 45 8901, lavenuemarrakech.blogspot.com

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