For those of a certain age – Casablanca – has become immortalised for the wrong reason. That Humphrey Bogart probably never set foot in Maroc, and – Exit papers signed by General De Gaulle himself – would have had absolutely no value here during WW2, does not let one pass up the opperchancity of dining at – Rick’s Cafe – and yes there is a pianist, and he did – play it.
For more on film making in Maroc, visit Ouarzazate.
In 2015, Marg and Hector made the journey north from Marrakech by train. Apart from laying the above ghost to rest, we were here to meet up with Hassan and his Good Lady – Amel, once of Cafe Salma (Glasgow), a much missed Curry House.
Firstly, Hector found himself in the souk purchasing the ingredients for a Vegetable Curry with which to entertain Hassan and his friend Mustafa. The following evening we were royally treated and fed at Hassan’s home before promenading at midnight along the southern shores of the city at Ain Diab.
Ain Diab is a modern beach resort to which people appeared to throng after dark. By day it was actually warmer back in Glasgow, in July!
As for the city itself, little remains of the colonial architecture, high rise accommodation is aplenty. Adjacent to the Grand Mosque lies the Casa Port area and marina which was under development in 2015. One may deduce that eventually, this could become another magnet for locals and tourist alike.
In 2015, we were in Maroc during Ramadan, most bars/restaurants were closed. Hector did find quality Bier, albeit in an atmosphere that verged on the unhealthy. Maroc may never introduce a smoking ban, however…
We’ll always have Paris.
Restaurants and Bar visited:
Rick’s Cafe – 248 Rue Sour Jdid, Casablanca 20000
India Palace – 25 Rue Ahmed Mokri, Quartier Racine, Casablanca 20000
Rock Feller English Pub – 128 Bd d’Anfa, Casablanca 20000