Tagine (Restaurant)

Exiting another Northern Line delay ridden disaster, we arrived sweaty, flustered, but most importantly late and in no mood for pleasantries... Once through the velour drapes at Balham’s Tagine Morrocan restaurant, we were shown to our tables without protest or judgment.
 
Menus in hand, I noticed that the place was indeed fully booked as advertised, replete with what I imagine a backstreet Marrakech joint might look: shisha smoking utensils, low slung chairs, rugs, curtains and chandeliers for good measure.
 
Right, to the food. A quick menu scan reveals three groupings for mains: tangine; couscous; or grill, in a choice of chicken/lamb/fish. I opted for the chicken cous cous, while the blonde sitting across from me solicited lamb tangine. Due to our late arrival, we brashly ordered a safe bet for entree. Just some basic pitta bread and hummus. Usually boring, but this serving arrived sprinkled with olive oil, well presented within an absurdly long plate. 
 
As any Saturday night we were thirsty, and ready for wine. And for the liquour inclined in you, you must remember to bring your own, as this joint ain’t licensed. But if you are somewhat forgetful, before you panic and make a run for it, there are two well-stocked wine specialists around the corner.
 
Halfway through our first glass of red, someone dimmed the lights, and as if they had all done it before, the clientele began clapping to loud, and what I assumed was North African music. The spirit of Marrakech was indeed in Balham, and as we learned a few times that night, this music was promptly followed by the arrival of a birthday cake at the lucky patrons table... Why not I say, though I must question the odds of at least 4 birthday parties at one place on any given night.
 
The chicken couscous is a 2 dish affair served in earthware pots – juicy chicken pieces served with cous cous in one, while the second contained the brothy sauce and veggies. Mix it your way. You can call this food many things but dry is definitely not one of them. The blonde sitting across from me was unusually quiet, happily munching away.
 
At this time we got a tap on the shoulder, and after some wild gesticulating and futile reasoning, we were asked to move to another table. Nobody was smiling. We quickly learnt in a scandalous fashion that Tangine has a 2-hour turnaround policy, and the Manager made no attempt to hide his haste in getting as many people seated as possible.
 
Unfortunately for the establishment instead of leaving you with a final thought on the quite reasonable food, I say don’t be late, or consider taking your time, and you might leave with a good taste in your mouth....read more