Casablanca
19 Hoolai St, Kailua, HI, 96734
Casablanca Menu
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Address :
19 Hoolai St
Kailua, HI, 96734 - Phone (808) 262-8196
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Arleen B.
Casablanca is more than a great restaurant, it's an experience! I was prepared for something different, but not expecting much from the service due to other reviews. From the moment we got out of the car, we were greeted by Sherry, our waitress who happened to be walking in, stopped and welcomed us before we even made it to the door. We were on time, but knew our party would be late as the traffic on the Pali had been horrendous! It was a week night, so they didn't have many reservations, and she was very understanding. We had one bottle of wine with us and had hoped to have time to stop for more. Sherry suggested a little place around the corner which we walked to and grabbed a second bottle for our party. Sherry brought us a wine opener, wine glasses and water. She then said we should have a little something with our wine and brought us their bread. It was fresh baked, slightly savory, slightly sweet, with the very faint scent of anise. For those of you who don't like anise - no worries! The flavor of this bread is so delicate you'll gobble it down! Waiting for our friends to arrive we were transported off the island to a far away land. I imagine this is how royalty of years passed dined in early Morocco. The walls are covered in carpets, and other rugs are scattered across the floors of three rooms. The ceiling is covered in pleated fabric adorned with Moroccan plates and metal lanterns with colorful glass that cast a beautiful glow. Along the walls are built in couches with pillows with low tables with wood inlaid patterns. On the outside of the tables are large colorful leather bean bags. No these aren't the bean bags you sat on as a teenager. They are like low large sturdy stools. The meal commenced after our friends arrived and we were not disappointed! This is truly authentic Moroccan cuisine! We tried 2 different lamb dishes, several chicken, rabbit, and beef. The sides brought out during the meal are fantastic! There is something for everyone, even my husband who's not the most adventurous one when it comes to food! It's now one of our "go to" places for a group! Save room for the B'stilla! This is a strange sweet meat pastry dish that will delight your senses! The baklava is home made goodness! Wash it all down at the end of your meal with some mint tea and it's one feast that won't punish you for over indulging! If this was just a tad cheaper, we'd be here once a month! A perfect escape to an exciting land without the hassle of traveling!
(4)C H.
Easily 5 stars: great decor and ambiance, washing your hands with the warm water while sitting on cushions on the floor takes you out of Hawaii. It's really fun. The food was fantastic. 5 courses (like $37-42 per person) with no need for utensils: Amazing soup (loved it), the salad plate was by far my favorite (tabouli, marinated tomatoes, eggplant (that even my husband liked, hummus and spicey carrots all with bread. It was demolished. Then B'stille (phyllo dough covered in powered sugars and cinnamon filled with minced chicken, almonds, saffron... ). Then the main course. We both ordered lamb (skewers and chops). Both were amazing. Finally dessert (biscotti and chabakkia) and fresh mint tea. There is also some kind of rose water that they pour on your hands and head. That was a shocker. Ha Best part... BYOB with no cork fee. This place is out of a dream. Love it! Btw, I'm sure I messed up the spelling of a lot of these meals but hey I tried. Check it out unless you're super bland taste buds that can't handle delish food.
(5)Jessica S.
4 stars is probably pushing it... I think I'd honestly go with 3.5.... but since that isn't an option, I round up. This is a fun and unique restaurant. My husband and I have been here twice so far. The first time was almost a year ago. We went on an awkward double date with another couple who the wife was very much not into trying anything different from the normal Hawaiian cuisine. Which made for a decently odd experience. I really can't base my review off that experience. We went again recently to celebrate a friend's birthday. We must have seemed like alcoholics because we showed up with 4 bottles of wine and champagne in tow. One for each of us! Kidding, kidding, mostly. Food is decent. Honestly the main course and dessert in my eyes are what is lacking. Everything else is awesome! Like everyone has said the menu is a set menu allowing you to choose your entrée. As hubby and I are vegan and another in our party was vegetarian we asked if they had a vegetarian option for their set menu. They did. So our table went that route. I had the couscous with veggies as my entrée. Although this was good, I was a slight bit disappointed in the lack of flavor. All around though the whole meal is quite tasty. Though, I am a dessert person, and I just can't be a fan of the dessert they serve here. Everyone else in my party loved it though. Service is wonderful (Same women both dining experiences). She was very kind about our probably decently loud party and more often then not laughed a bit (Probably a "you got to be kidding me" laugh) as she would serve us and checked in on us. Love the quaint unique atmosphere of the restaurant. Also love the table you sit around - such a good place to come with a group of people who is willing to indulge in something different!
(4)Sheila S.
This is a good choice for a date. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are at another part of the world. There's rugs hanging from the walls, decorative serving trays, and pillows to sit on the floor around lowered tables. The food is outstanding. It is a five course so bring an appetite. I love spicy food, so I wouldn't recommend if you don't care for spice. It's also expensive. It was 100 for two.
(4)Oliver K.
Def 5 stars!!!! authentic delicious marroccoan food!!! great authentic atmosphere with very neat decor!! service is great too and all the dishes are explained. Only downside is the price for the menu ...
(5)Sally P.
Five friends had dinner at Casablanca and had a convivial evening indeed. You can byob which is fine to share wine (or beer or other) that you choose and want to drink with the cuisine. The decor is very Moroccan in feel and the appetizer course is served on attractive ceramic plates. As other reviewers have mentioned, the resto offers a set menu for $37.50 or $42.50 if you order the nightly special. This includes harirra soup, a mezze platter with five mezzes for sharing,one bastilla (a flaky pastry with chicken and spices) for sharing, a main course, a dessert and mint tea. While I thought the food was good it did not nearly meet the flavorful levels of really good Moroccan food that we've enjoyed elsewhere (not in Hawaii). At its best Moroccan food is intensely but subtly flavored, redolent of spice and with layered tastes. This food was sort of one-dimensional though pleasant. We also were unclear that the 'special' of the day meant a special price-- $5 more than the tagines and couscous entrees. We thought the waiter might have clarified that but he did not, only citing the special which was rack of lamb the night we had dinner at Casablanca. I had the fish preparation of the day which was not liable for a supplement. Wild salmon with a sauteed pepper sauce-- it was tasty but not particularly Moroccan. So in sum, I'd say if you would enjoy a pleasant evening with a progression of tastes in a pretty middle eastern feeling room go to Casablanca. If you know alot about Moroccan food and have had delicious Moroccan elsewhere I think you might be a tad disappointed.
(3)Leah S.
Loved this place! Great food and ambiance. Perfect for a date night. Tons if food and all food was delicious!! Will def be going back again!!
(5)Cristyn T.
If you want to escape to foreign country without having to fly for 20 hours, Casablanca is a great excursion right here in Hawaii! When you walk in, you'll immediately notice the elaborate decor, couches and cushions to sit on. Great ambience that'll make you forget where you are. They'll even wash your hands for you as you are supposed to eat with your hands here. It's a prix fixe menu and you choose your entree. I ordered the fish. The highlights for me were the b'stilla, which is sort of like a sweet and savory pastry, the fish, and the mint tea! Oh, and the orange blossom water smelt amazing! It's definitely a restaurant to go to if you're looking for a fun and unique dining experience. Save a few hours in your schedule to go as it's 5 courses and can take awhile to get through. Don't forget to make reservations ahead of time as we saw several people get turned away.
(4)April S.
This place is tiny but so romantic! The food is so fresh, I was completely impressed with the food. It is by reservation only and it's byob they do not have any alcohol to purchase. My husband and I reserved a table for our anniversary. We cuddled up with a bottle of wine and got the meal for 2 people. The food kept coming and the little atmosphere was perfect. We didnt deal with the hassle of waikiki. Tips: Don't go in a rush and don't bring kids! Kick back and enjoy. Ps their tea is the best on the island. 1 last thing I want to mention, the main server is fantastic, she's there all of the time and works her butt off! She is key to this place being so successful.
(5)Tania T.
Brought our mom to Casablanca for the FUN experience. I've eaten here twice and both times I have had very good service with a relaxed atmosphere. Decor is cute and fun. As for food the pre fix menu at $37.50 wasn't to expensive for the amount of food you get. In order to get the full Moroccan "experience" you really need to try the set menu and keep your mind and taste buds open to new ideas. Food ranging from the salad, soup, b'stilla was very tasty with lots of different spices. Also, the rack of lamb, cornish hen with prune and honey as well as seasoned lemon and olives, calamari and fresh fish was the best. Our family got to share each entree and it was tasty and my taste buds were so happy. Side note: Select few.... who have reviewed this restaurant are so critical and sarcastic about the decor, flavors and culture (probably the NON FOODIES writing insensitive negative reviews) . YOU come here for the experience and if you don't want to eat with your fingers then you shouldn't even eat here. Pay some respect to the culture of the restaurant. So stop complaining so much about things that do not matter too much. Review the heart of the food and the experience. Seems as if nothing will make these kinds of people satisfied.
(5)Kelly S.
Great food and great service! We came here because we wanted something other than ramen or Hawaiian BBQ, and were so happy we did. Every single item was flavorful...from the marinated vegetables, the spiced coffee, the rack of lamb to the honey dessert. The fixed menu allows you to try a range of different things, and the portions are pretty generous for the price. We also sat at a table where I could see into the kitchen, and I can confidently tell you that the chef handles all the food with cafe and makes the entrees to order. They keep the dishes running at your pace...slower if you're chatting with friends and sipping wine (the neighboring table) and faster if you're inhaling your meals (me and my boyfriend). Overall we had a wonderful experience here!
(5)Lauren M.
It's just not living up to the hype for me. Tried it twice, and I was too hot to think about eating. The lamb was chewy. I still love the delicious appetizers and appreciate the unique experience. I'd try it again, maybe third time is a charm.
(3)Debi V.
The food was good. There are five courses and it's an experience to eat with your hands. The service was good. .
(4)Paige S.
Is this good for date night? I don't know, maybe it would be better suited for a girls night out or day with friends.....it is not equipped to do a romantic or fun date night. Parking: There are a couple stalls in front of the establishment but we parked in the "blockbuster" strip mall across the way. Ambiance & Seating: Upon walking in, you feel like you're in a different place. The lighting is low, but not too low (I expected it to be darker and more intimate but it was not) and that immediately sets a different mood. There are wrap around couches on all the walls and small tables with little floor seating pillows. The roof is a canopy style and the walls have intricate carpets/designs on them. There are a couple small dangling Moroccan chandeliers as well. Service & Meal When we got inside we were greeted after a couple minutes by the only lady server. She said hello and told us to give her a couple minutes. We stood around for what felt like almost 7-10 minutes too long in a door way while they tended to other patrons. We had a reservation, so I was irritated that there was no place for us to sit and wait and that we were standing around watching people which felt awkward. I honestly feel like even though you are supposed to be in a Moroccan setting and transported to a different place that there should still be a host/hostess stand and that there should be a small themed waiting area. The waitress finally came to see us and brought us to our table. We were nestled off in a section with other couples, the vibe was calm and we were prepped on the menu. Casablanca does a pre fixe menu ($35+ dollars) in case you didn't already read. There are 4 things already set and then you pick your entree. After talking with the male waiter about the menu, we handed back the menu and waited. We expected to wait a bit since a restaurant like this is more about the whole experience so we people watched in our small area and scoped the restaurant. After maybe 10 or 15 minutes the waiter came by with a kettle filled with warm water and a basin to wash our hands since we would be eating with them. Food: Shortly after they brought out a Moroccan salad, tomato bisque with some pieces of bread. The Moroccan salad itself was several different things on a platter, hummus, tabouleh, babaganoush, olives, carrots and some other things that we are fabulous with the bread. The tomato bisque stayed hot for a long time and it also paired well with the bread. My husband was not a fan of how dry the bread was and its relatively bland taste, I thought it was okay but not something you'd crave or long to learn the recipe. I'm not sure if this was indicative of traditional Moroccan bread but it was good. The next course was what many have compared to a sweet chicken pot pie. It was chicken ground almonds and several other things wrapped very neatly in a phyllo dough and topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. It is a nice mix of savory and sweet. Our main course came out just as we were finishing the 2nd one up..I settled on the lamb with eggplant and my husband got the special which was rack of lamb that was lightly breaded with couscous. The lamb with eggplant is one medium sized lamb shank topped with 4 pieces of eggplant. To me the size was more of a tasting platter type instead of a main course...but after eating it I was very satisfied. The flavor of the lamb was not gamy and it was cooked well enough that it tasted juicy to an extent and paired well with the roasted eggplant. Not sure if i'd order it again but it was good. The rack of lamb was 4 pieces of breaded lamb with a side of couscous and veggies. For my husband this plate was too small...and I could tell because he was eating really slow. I personally liked his lamb much more than mine, the crust on his was flavorful and delicious. The couscous was also wonderful. I would order this again. Completing the meal was a small little funnel looking cake dessert topped with sesame seeds and two pieces of biscotti. They sprinkled orange blossom water on your hands for good blessings and the smell of the water compliments your desserts in the best way possible. Overall, what killed it for us is where we were sitting. At first it was a corner filled with other couples enjoying each others company. Shortly after our salad the hostess placed a rowdy group of young adults right next to us. Since this place is BYOB they came prepared and a little tipsy. It killed the whole mood and the whole dinner we were annoyed by their attitude and conversation no matter what we did. Casablanca is literally a house, that has been turned into a restaruant....and while that is a very creative thought, I think that there are improvements to be made so that each customer/party has their own experince and that they are not interfering with other parties. Glad that we experienced it, don't think we will ever go back.
(3)K U.
What a great experience! We went to Casablanca for my wife's birthday, she's been to Casablanca before, but I didn't know what to expect and got an amazing Moroccan experience. Casablanca is a quaint little place with great service and delicious food! Note... Be prepared to eat with your hands. BYOB - Most of the food is sweet, so bring a wine that goes well with honey/sweet food Dress comfortably - You can sit on the couch, but sitting on pillows on the floor gives you the true experience. Parking - Casablanca only has 4 stalls and street parking is at a premium.
(5)Christa Lei S.
After years of my parents telling me how amazing this place was-- I finally got to eat here. Yes, I know. It has been YEARS. YEAAAAAAARS, and we never had a chance to eat here until this past Christmas break. Isn't that ridiculous? I was the only one in my family who hadn't had a meal here, and that was disappointing. Until I actually stepped into Casablanca and realized how amazing it was. Warning though, step into Casablanca and you have to be aware that it is not your average, run-of-the-mill, ordinary restaurant. You come to Casablanca for the experience, not just the food. Everything moves slower at Casablanca, and that is purposeful-- there are only a few workers (the night we went there, it only seemed like there was the owner... or at least the man I would assume is the owner) working at once, and it keeps the restaurant small and intimate. They close at 9, I think. Which means they'll turn people away a little before that because the experience takes at LEAST two hours to get through the whole meal. You walk into Casablanca and it takes you away. It's prix fixe, as everyone suggests. The house special is usually rack of lamb, which I highly suggest. The rest of the courses come out to share. They WILL let you order an extra entree for an additional price (my parents wanted to share an additional entree with the table, so we ordered the calamari for $12 extra.) I don't really want to keep going on and on, but this place was amazing. From the start, to the finish with the hot Moroccan mint tea and the orange blossom honey water splashes and hand-washing. It's an experience. Oh, and you eat with your hands. I would ;) You can also ask for utensils if you reaaaally need them, but I would only recommend using them to cut open the b'stilla. CHEERS!
(5)Marian T.
Love everything about this place..the set menu..the servers..the food..the mood..just so enjoyable
(5)Johanna M.
I had a blast when I came to dinner here. We had a large group of friends and everyone brought wine to share. It is kind of pricey, but the food is really delicious. All of the courses were really yummy. The b'stilla is really great. I could have just eaten that with the hummus and baba ganoush, and been perfectly happy. The setting is great for a casual night out with friends and they graciously split our check, which is always a nice thing. We had a large group. The atmosphere is casual, they have cushions to sit on as well as comfy booths. I'm glad i was sitting in the booth, my back would have hurt if I was sitting on the cushions. The decorations are really cool. The pillows and bright curtains all added to the pretty setting. I will likely be back and bring friends. It's a great place to bring a group of people.
(3)Anne W.
Loved Casablanca! Wonderful date night place. Wanted a lot more hummus though. I totally loved the lamb!
(5)Emcee D.
Very enjoyable experience. The ambiance and decor made the place feel authentic. You get a 5 course meal with warm hand washing in between. All courses except the soup and main dish is a communal plate for your party. Their vegetable appetizer had about 4 different spreads and warm bread. I got the lamb special which was a tasty 5 piece rack with couscous. The lamb did not taste gamy. You can bring your own wine and the waiters will open and pour them for you. A very intimate and mature setting so not a place to bring kids.
(4)Ej S.
Loved, loved, loved this place. I've been to Morocco and can attest that the decor and food were spot on authentic. Three of us sat on a corner couch, one on the floor on a comfortable pillow the size of a small beach ball. We ordered the 5 course meal. The soup was delicious, the sampler appetizer had about 7 different dipping type dishes all of which were amazing, especially the eggplant. For our main course, one of us had the lamb chops and loved them - black peppercorn sauce. One had calamari with good interesting red sauce (would order that one again), and two of us had other lamb dishes which we loved. I would come here again and bring friends. About $40 per person. We brought our own bottle of wine.
(5)Alison A.
We recently went to dinner at Casablanca with some friends. I hadn't been in years. There's a reason for my prolonged absence. The service sucks. Years ago, my friends and I would eat here on occasion. Partly because it was somewhat tasty, and partly because there weren't a ton of choices in Kailua. Without fail, we would have a miserable waiter who never smiled and seemed angry at any and all requests. No waters delivered or never refilled. But, some friends wanted to go and my husband had never been, so... It's a five course prix fixe menu. The soup, "salad plate", and bstilla are really good. It's served family style with no utensils, so you better like your dinner companions. So, these courses are all great, but the main dish falls flat. No one seemed impressed at the table. The salmon was okay, but bland. My husbands cornish hen was so-so. The other folks with us didn't love the lamb they got. The dessert is a deep fried funnel cake kind of thing. Takes like sour old oil. The mint tea is delicious. Also getting sprinkled with orange scented water is kind of fun. But again with the terrible service! There were two servers in the restaurant. Both seemed like they would rather be anywhere else. Come on, I get it. We would ALL love to be independently wealthy and spending our time at the beach. But, we need to pay the bills, so suck it up! I don't understand how this place stays in business with such a terrible track record with poor service. If you're dying to try Moroccan, I guess you don't have too many other options. But, you've been warned! Plan to feel neglected and unwelcome. And fill up on the first courses!
(2)Shannan Y.
This was my first time eating Moroccan food...the verdict?! I loved it!!! You get a five course meal for $37.50 or $42.75 if you get the house special. I got the house special, which was some sort of lamb dish. Everything was delicious...everything...even the tomatoes (I usually hate tomatoes)! You are served on platters (family style) and you eat with your hands. In the beginning of the meal, the waitress walks around with some warm water and a catcher to wash your hands before the meal begins. I recommend making a reservation. Walk-ins tried getting a table and ended up turning around and walking out. If you're a wine drinker, you can bring your own wine. Ask them for a bottle opener and some wine glasses, and you're set! You are seated at a short table, like a coffee table. You can either choose to sit on cushions or a bench. It's more fun to sit on the cushions if you ask me. I heard that there is a belly dancer sometimes, but there wasn't one when I went on a Friday night (Dec. 2013).
(4)Leigh Ann B.
Delicious and authentic Moroccan food at a reasonable price! The restaurant is in a little converted house off the main drag in Kailua and you need to find street parking if nothing is available in their tiny parking lot. When you enter, you're transported to a Moroccan tent, complete with cushions on the floor and rugs on the walls (there are benches if you don't want to sit on the floor). The servers we had that night were very considerate and kind. Now on to the food! I'm a vegetarian and I love Moroccan food because it can easily be made vegetarian. Casablanca had plenty of vegetarian options for the main course and all of the starter courses either were vegetarian or could be made vegetarian. I got a completely separate b'stilla made without meat! And don't let the price try to scare you away: you're getting a five course meal, plus traditional Moroccan mint tea and hand washing! Also, be sure to bring your own alcohol if you want any. There's no corkage fee!
(5)Christine E.
This place does a damn good lamb. Its a little pricey ($38) but its a great experience WITH good food. Went here years ago and loved it so much but never had a chance to return. Came back last night with 10 girls for a bachelorette party. The waitress was a good sport, allowing us to borrow spoons to weigh down our "men" balloons. She didnt mind that we all wanted to sit on the floor and move the tables around. She let us use our own "penis" glasses and have our blow up doll present at the dinner. Its reallly nice that they were so accomodating and friendly! She asked me "does the water taste better with a penis straw?"...Awesome. The meal is prix fixe. So you choose your entree (Lamb shank with honey was DELICIOUS but it doesnt come with couscous - maybe u can ask?), the house special last night was rack of lamb and that was also suppperrr good. Their lamb is not gamey, thank god. The fish was also very very good. You start the meal by washing your hands (she comes around with a tea pot and a basin), then you get a tomato-lentil soup, bread and some dipping things (the hummus and the tabuli, and the roasted red peppers are particularly yum!), then you get the b'stilla (spell?), well anyways that is the best thing everrrrr. Meat, egg, fillo, powdered sugar and nuts. Sounds weird but its soooop damn good. Then you get your main course, a small dessert of biscotti and something that looks like a mini funnel cake, and you end the night with showers of blessing (tea water spritzed all over ur head and hands). Such a fun experience. Especially with a bunch of good friends. Parking is a little scarce, about 4 stalls in front and some street parking. But its only a few blocks away from whole foods so if worst came to worst you could always park there and walk over. P.s its BYOB!!! And she offered us ice and cups and a bottle opener. So awesome. Cant wait to bring my bf here, he loooves lamb.
(5)Chris K.
Authentic cuisine with an outstanding ambiance! The lamb is second to none. This is an experience in true Moroccan food culture. It's fun and something different too. Enjoy!
(5)Shari S.
I just went to Casablanca with my family last night. I LOVED it!! I would definitely recommend this place. **Just a note- make sure you reserve some time to come here because there are 5 courses Well as all the other reviews said... it is a set menu and you pick your entree. I got the Chicken with couscous and vegetables. It was very tasty. I am not gonna go over the courses again because everyone else went through it but i will say that i LOVED the sweet/salty puff pastry thing. Sorry I forget what it is called (see other reviews)... but it was really good!! I was pleasantly surprised. I am usually not one to like sweet/savory foods so I was skeptical at first. It smelled like it should have apple filling not chicken!! but it was so delicious. The powdered sugar and cinnamon paired nicely with the chicken and spices. Our waiter was very attentive and answered all of the questions we had. Service was a little on the slower side but it think it was because it was a slow night and he was the only server. He came around often though to check and make sure everything was okay. I really liked that it felt very authentic. I cant wait to go back! I would definitely come back on a double date with friends. **and I saw that a couple people don't like eating with their hands.... if you read the menu it clearly states that utensils are available upon request. So if you don't like eating with your hands (my family and I did to get the whole experience), then you can get utensils.
(5)Daniel K.
Came here after Oeno wine tasting. Food was amazing! Ambiance was great. We were the only ones in the place too! BYOB but after the tasting we were just hungry. I was starting to get full after the 2nd appetizer. There's so much texture and flavors in each dish. Ambiance and experience was what you really pay for, but the food was well worth it at the prix fix price point. They have A/C and it is nice and cool (no sweating going on here). Be ready to eat and be hungry! Yes you use your fingers... EVEN BETTER! :)
(4)Noa L.
Good time with friends! I love the Rack of Lamb!! Need to go back for more!
(5)Jenna P.
This is a fun restaurant for the sleepy town of Kailua. For about $40/person, they give you 5 courses, all shared, except for your entrée. You can BYOB. Half the seating is on floor cushions and the other half, low booths. The tables are low too; a nice nod to the cultural experience. Rugs on the wall and low lighting add to the theme. I haven't seen any belly dancing, and wish they could incorporate music to get the atmosphere going a bit more. The food is always delicious and flavorful, complimenting the Mediterranean style. Nothing is spicy or greasy. My Lamb Tagine with Eggplant was awesome. - This place gets busy, so definitely make reservations.
(4)Mindy R.
Our first experience with Moroccan food, and it was absolutely AMAZING! The ambience of this restaurant is just beautiful and intimate.My husband and I loved every plate that was served to us! I personally loved the soup and the peppers from the house salad that were served before the meal. I ordered the hen, and my husband had the house special lamb, and It was amazing! The green mint tea served at the end of dinner was the perfect blend of cozy and sweet. I definitely recommend this place, but be sure to set aside some time. Because it is a 5 course FRESH meal, you'll be eating for a while! But, I promise you WILL NOT be disappointed!
(5)Jackie M.
Super fun, and excellent food. You don't really sit ON the floor - there are comfy benches and large floor pillows to sit on. You can snuggle up right next to your date and pretend you're Bogart and Bergman. There is only one server, and he has to make sure the tables are having a good experience so it may be awhile before he gets to you, but then he will explain the menu, bring you a corkscrew, and wash your hands. He'll give you a towel for your lap because it does get rather messy. Everybody gets the same soup, "salad," appetizer, and dessert, family-style, and then you choose your entrée. $37.50 for five courses we thought was really reasonable. That is a minimum charge as well, you do not have another option. They have a kids price, I believe $11 or so. The soup is a tomato bisque-lentil soup, a good start. The salad course is actually a large plate with hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, bread, and marinated vegetables. Completely delicious. The appetizer - b'stilla - SO GOOD. I reminded me a lot of baklava. It has ground chicken and egg in it, but it is sweet. My husband didn't think he would like it from the description but we devoured it. I had the Cornish hen with honey and prunes, and he had the rack of lamb. Both were out of this world. I thought the Cornish hen would be easy to eat with my hands - just pull the bones apart and eat it off the bone - but it was so nicely cooked it didn't stick to the bone so I got very sticky - but it's more fun that way :) The dessert is sticky-sweet but light and refreshing. Before dessert you have your hands washed again and orange blossom water sprinkled on them. The atmosphere is lovely - tapestries on the walls, authentic music. I was there on a date night with my husband and it felt cozy and intimate, but there was also a group of ladies near us who were also having a lovely time. In the other room we could hear a baby, so I think it's a great spot for almost any occasion. A well-behaved child would do very well here, and I know my kids love hummus and couscous so they would enjoy it too. (But mine would have a pillow fight with the cushions so I'll refrain.) We will definitely be back - It will be a really fun place to take friends visiting from the mainland.
(5)Crystal B.
I was invited to join a group of girlfriends for a night out at this restaurant around Christmas time and it was such a wonderful experience. Casablanca is an old house that has been converted and has just a few large tables with some seats on cusions on the floor and a few regular booth style seats in the corner. Each person in the party can choose an entree, but the price is the same for each person and everyone gets the same soup and appetizer for the course. Some of our party had dietary restrictions which they discussed with the server before we ordered and they very nicely provided gluten free substitutions for a few items in the course. This was my first time there so I got the lamb with honey, which was delicious, but my neighbor's couscous and veggie dish was better. It is BYOB so we bought a few bottles of wine and booked a belly dancer (Malia Delapenia from Bellydancers in Paradise. She is really amazing!). The overall experience was a lot of fun. All the other tables were groups of 8 to 10 people which is what this place is really perfect for. I would not recomend it for a couple or small group looking for a quiet, intimate setting.
(5)Angela K.
Wow. My 1st time here was the last Friday of July 2013. Caters to vegans (though use honey in desserts)-- so Happy. Wonderful flavors, authentic tastes. Absolutely great. Bring your own wine. Price is @$37/ person minimum that gets a good portioned 5 course meal. LOVED it!!!
(5)Puka P.
it's definitely a different experience! I loved that place, everything was so unique: atmosphere, rituals and food. We had a great server who explained us the dishes and how to eat them, two guys serving the food were really nice and helpful. Don't come if you have some cleanness OCD, I'm not that crazy about it but I washed my hands in the restroom before starting the ritual of handwashing with magic water. Everything has to be eaten with your fingers, the server offered us utensils tho, but we decided to experience a new way of eating. Lentil soup was amazing and I really loved the appetizer plate: I had to look up that carrot recipe to make it at home (failed, but I tried lol). That chicken sweet pie was the bomb! Such a strange mix of flavors blends in so good. We had a hard time deciding what to get as a main course, I was expecting everyone to order different dishes so we could share and try half of the menu at once. Weird but 4 out of 5 people decided to order same dish-some meat brochettes and I ordered salmon plate. The final part was the tea and desert! So good and fresh! The only disappointing part of the dinner was centipede that decided to crawl on my friend's leg and got her freaked out, she got really scared. We caught it with napkin and gave to one of the workers who didn't seem really surprised, I guess that was normal. But I'd like to come again, $40 per person for very different and unique experience is really worth it.
(5)Kathy F.
We went to Casablanca this past weekend to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I made the reservation 2 weeks in advance, and when we got there, they said it would be an hour wait. After an hour, they said that the table for the adults was ready, but not a table for my daughter's party. I explained to them that the adults can't be seated while my daughter and her friends wait out in the parking lot! They finally agreed to squeeze my daughter and her friends into a tiny table until something else opens up. We spent a lot of money there, but they never offered to compensate us in any way. I would never go there again.
(1)Sophie B.
Loved the atmosphere here and the whole experience. The best part of the meal was the soup and appetizer platter at the beginning of the meal....... so good. Everything tasted homemade and the bill was cheaper than expected for as much food as you get. Just make sure that you are not in a hurry when you go here. To get through all the courses takes a while, but so worth it.
(5)Stephany A.
Great little place with good food but it is seriously overpriced!!! It's a good thing it's BYOB because adding alcohol to this bill would be absolutely ridiculous!!! My main dish had to skews of lamb which were delicious but there was nothing else on the plate just the two small pieces of lamb and some hot sauce. It's a prefixed meal so they bring out a few things prior to your main meal but none of it justified a $94 bill for a party of two. Our reservation was at 6:30 our main dish came at 8:45 and our desert at 9:18. We finally left at 9:40. Over three hours in this place!!! I had a great time because I was in great company. I think the experience would have been unpleasant had it not been for our friends who provided plenty comedic relief. I do have to say this, Casablanca has a very relaxed environment. I did love that about the atmosphere. Our waiter was awesome too!
(3)Mary Q.
This is a great place for a group of people and it's BYOB! We've had 5 or 6 birthday get togethers here, and I would've given more stars but for one drawback...they haven't changed their menu, and it's the same menu everytime. If it's your first time, have it with a group of friends and order the pre-fixe meals. Bring your own drinks, it's allowed and there is no bar. It's Moraccon food, so it will be a different experience, and keep an open mind, and a strong back, you sit on low cushioned stools. The 1st course of Hummus,tabouleh,spicy carrots, marinated tomatoes and eggplant is yummy, and they serve you bread that you dip, and use as the utensil. (You can request forks, not as fun). They also wash your hands and spray Orange Blossom water which is interesting. -2nd course- If you don't like Lamb, eat before you come. They have chicken and calamari, but they all kinda taste the same. And more hard bread... 3rd course is dessert, a honey soaked funnel cake which is tasty. Don't get me wrong, we have had many fun times here, and even had a belly dancer Maile for my hubby's surprise 40th. I miss the bigger room in the back, which was beautiful and had more of a Morrocan decor to it, much bigger, I had 21 people for my birthday there and it was perfect! We brought our wine and a cake. It is closed now, and the front is alot smaller, and decor is not as elaborate. The service is so-so, but like I said, it's more for a fun gathering, where food is the background. It's definitely something you should experience if you can. TIP of the Day- Make reservations ahead of time. If you plan on having a surprise party, make sure they park far away, and not in front of the restaurant, will definitely blow your cover...
(3)Robin B.
Wonderfully authentic moroccan cuisine. Make sure you come hungry - it's a multi course meal and you want to savor every dish. Their salad plate is so flavorful, served with thick hardy bread for scooping. The b'stilla is done with the perfect balance of spice and flavor. Tried the cornish game hen with lemons and olives, hen with prunes, and the lamb with prunes. All very flavorful. The meal ends with mint tea and pastries. Important to bring your own bottle if you want drinks, they will charge a small corking fee. Definitely worth the visit for a unique moroccan experience.
(4)Leslene C.
Our family loved the atmosphere and food was delicious and healthy, just plan for at least a 3 hr dinner.
(5)Little D.
Located across from Oeno Wine Store. This is a fun experience dining here. I liked everything I ate and fun gathering place. Prix Fix about $40.00. Tip1 Make a reservation Tip2 BYOB Tip3 Be ready for new experience (if you haven't eaten without chair and utensils) Parking: Street parking. 4.5 Stars YELP 365 - 186/365
(5)Emily R.
The food was very good but they only have one person serving so it moves very slowly but it is still a cool experience. They do a nice job of explaining what everything is. The only issue was the service.
(4)Therese A.
I love Casablanca. This place is great! Because all the food is made to order and there's so much food that comes with the menu, it takes a while to finish everything, but that's where conversation with friends come into play. My favorite dish is the B'stilla and honey lamb! Both delicious. My boyfriend always orders the lamb brochettes, very flavorful in a little dish. Always left full and satisfied at the end. The servers are always so nice. Every time I come into Casablanca I'm greeted by someone promptly and they don't keep us waiting. If you ever are on the edge of if you want to come here or not.... I'm urging you to come!! But on the weekends it gets very crowded, so be sure to make reservations! You don't want to get all dolled up for nothing
(5)Erica W.
We ate here for Valentine's Day this year, and loved it--perfect place for a romantic dinner. They offered a special Valentine's Day fixed price menu, with six courses and special house-made truffles. It was a long, leisurely meal--and because Casablanca is BYOB, we were able to enjoy an entire bottle of wine. My fiancee and I went to Morocco three years ago, and it was one of our favorite trips. We plan to go back, and at least in part because we loved the food so much. We were excited to try Casablanca and enjoy Moroccan food again. Casablanca the restaurant passed the authenticity test, and it made us nostalgic and delighted. Yes, delighted. The Valentine's Day fixed price menu was identical to their everyday menu, except that it included the truffles and an extra meat entree. The meal was meant to be shared. They start by, as other reviewers have said, washing your hands. This was a nice touch and added to the experience. The courses are a lentil soup, a couscous salad, fish, chicken, a b'stilla (basically a chicken curry filled donut) and then the truffles. I have to keep repeating the truffles because my fiancee had apparently never had good chocolate in his life, and he about died when he ate these bad boys. Bless their hearts, they packed up three extras for us to take home. They also had a belly dancer who seemed a little off at first--like, maybe this was a woman who wandered in off the street?--but turned out to be very entertaining and professional. Please check this place out. Don't go in expecting something quick or spectacularly fine dining--but for authenticity and for pleasure. This was a meal I will remember.
(5)D M.
I love this place. That atmosphere is spot on. When you get there you immediately notice that from the outside it's a house. Walk inside you're transported to Morocco. There are tapestries the start from the ceiling and work outward making I look like a tent. With low lying benches and cushions. It really gives you a feeling of being on another continent. It's a preset menu where you can select you entree. I suggest anything lamb! The lentil soup starts you off, followed by an amazing salad which is an assortment of hummus, tabouli, marinated tomatoes/peppers, carrot salad and baba ganoush (go for the tomatoes/peppers...I mercilessly horde this from my friends without remorse) then the crazy starts you get a bastilla! What the heck is that you say? It is interesting chicken pie (think of an apple pie but substitute chicken for apple...don't be scared it has flavor and texture.. it steaming hot so quickly break it open am let it cool), your entree follows the awesome sweet chicken pie, tea and dessert. You eat with your hands (they wash your hands with lavender [I think] water...utensils optional. I really suggest using your hands it makes the experience) It's so authentic I can't even understand the owners. Service is slow so don't be in a rush this isn't just about the food. It's about being transported to a place most of us will never see but here you can taste! This is a culinary experience!
(4)Yummy P.
Have you seen the movie "Along Came Polly"? Casablanca is a lot like that Moroccan restaurant they ate at. You are expected to eat with your hands but asking for utensils are not frowned upon. I'd suggest using your hands. Makes the experience more memorable. They have a set 7 course menu. $35 per person or the option of a single entree. Minimum of $35 per person. The decor and ambiance is amazing but the food, not so much. It's more about the fun of the experience. I'd suggest going with a large group. Don't expect amazing food but definitely a good time.
(3)Aline W.
We went there last week and the food was so delicious! The service was ok, the girl didn't seem interested in providing good customer service, but the guys who served food were very attentive and helpful. I love that it's so close to where we live in Kailua. And also its BYOB!
(5)Nicki K.
A great little restaurant! My husband and I went on a Wednesday night and it was pretty empty. We received great service and the food was delicious! It is a five course menu for $38 (unless you get the special, then it is $42) and BYO. I got the Cornish hen with prunes and honey and it was great! My husband got the special (rack of lamb), and after trying both his and mine, he decided he'll probably go for the Cornish hen next time. I'd say our favorite part of the meal was the "salad" (mixed plate of hummus, etc. and a soup) and our least favorite was the dessert (just not our taste in sweets, but the tea was awesome!). The decor is nice (sit on low cushions or benches), server was friendly, and the price seemed really good for the amount and quality of food. Overall, we had a nice time and will definitely be going back!
(5)Sheryl M.
We came here with a group of friends and had a great time. Our friends were wise and brought wine we all shared. Every course was great but whatever one it was with the chicken and pastry with spices and powdered sugar was the BEST. Sadly, hubby and I recently moved out of state but if we are ever in the area again, we'll certainly go back. So yummy!
(4)Jeffrey T.
BYOB BYOB BYOB BYOB: Why did I say that four times, because if you love to drink at your meals, this place is BYOB. Forgot your alcohol. Not a problem as there is a liquor store around the corner where you can stock up on some wine and experience the locals. Atmosphere is fantastic: no chairs, no utensils (they wash your hands before and after meals- don't take a first date here if you have not had the opportunity to inspect there nail hygiene), low lighting (makes you feel like your in morocco) Food: prie fix ($37-42) 1) lentil soup which was fantastic 2) appetizer tray with hummus, pickles carrots and much more 3) this pastry with chicken nuts and filo dough with cinnamon on top (oralgasmic and by far the top ten best things I have ever eaten in my life :( ) 4) lamb shank with spices and couscous 5) fritter type desert with mint tea To top it all off, the waitress who by the way I wanted to fold up and put in my pocket because she was so damn cute, sprinkled us with orange blossum water as a good luck omen.
(5)M M.
Probably one of my worst dining experiences. The place was so hot it was unbearable and nauseating. The window AC was on 50, but I was so hot. I am always cold. I could barely touch my soup because the place was so hot. The salad tray was okay, not spectacular. The lamb came out on a shank and was very fatty and I didnt even touch it. Not what I expected. The funnel cake seemed as if it had been prepared hours prior, The best part of the night was the green tea...that was declicious. There was one server. There were not even enough water glasses for the entire table, we kept having to steal them from other tables. I am not a fan of sharing food with people and the water pour is not my idea of sanitary. This place just wasnt for me. For almost $50 a person I would much rather have something else. Way to overpriced for me.
(2)Sarah P.
1. Wash your hands before you sit down - you'll be eating with fingers only for much of the meal. 2. Yummmm 3. Prepare to pay but refer back to #2 4. You end up smelling amazing when you leave here - see other reviews that describe being sprinkled with orange blossom water 5. Stretch before going if you're not accustomed to sitting on the floor for long periods of time as you enjoy #2. 6. Best experienced with 4 or more people... a fun enough experience to share and wonderful for special occasions. 7. BYOB... yes!
(4)Russell M.
Imagine entering a Bedouin tent, complete with Persian rugs pillowy seating, mosaic wooden tables, and the peaked fabric ceiling anchored like the pitched tents in an azure blue desert. Shazam! You're wish is my command...I half expected a genie to pop outta nowhere! I was already told that the lamb racks and appetizers were some of the best in town...though I can't off hand think of another Moroccan restaurant in Hawaii! I was pretty much sold by the environs, and the easy to order menus (no Ala Carte really, just preset prix fixe, they DO speak french in Morocco I'm told!). But, when the waitress come by to wash our hands in a traditional hand washing metallic basin...almost didn't matter how the food was going to be! Turned out the hand washing ritual was pretty crucial...we were going to eat with our HANDS?! I racked my brains to remember what was said about some cultures, hmmm shake hands and eat only with your right hand...cuz you do what? with your left?... Bringing your own wine also is always something I love too! It is so much better than being a slave to another's taste, or mark up! The food, however, did not disappoint...Hummus, a spicy pickled dish, lentil soups, fresh breads, all came out well timed an in succession (not an always easy task for a restaurant especially for a party of 7). And the rack of lamb? Succulent, sweet, tangy, and cooked to a perfect medium rare...wow...I was eyeing my date's kinda half eaten bones....i eventually snaked them...;-) Great treat for this long time diner that didn't think there were too many surprises left in this world! Will I go back?! Play it again Sam,and again and again...
(5)Jacob L.
I got the rascally rabbit, and it was good. On another occasion I had the lamb, I say go for the rabbit. I also joined the clean plate club here.
(4)titus n.
I had no idea what to expect coming into this quaint little restaurant if Kailua. The ambiance, really is something else, and it truly is one of a kind in Hawaii. Talk about taking it back to the old school and eating without silverware. Just getting down, ripping bread, dipping it into hummus, and tearing meat right off the bone. This is more than just dining out it is an experience. From start to finish you will constantly be surprised all the say down to dessert. Running about $35 a head for a 5 course meal, this was a real steal.
(5)Kathy H.
Great little family owned restaurant. Food is imaginative & well prepared. I had the multi course dinner special. The lamb tagine (can come w eggplant, prunes, of honey variations) was a large whole shank braised to tender in moroccan spices. Very good. The lamb brochettes looked really good to. Service was relaxed, very efficient, most excellent. All the courses were really good. Great place for a group or celebration.
(5)Nathan N.
This is an experience. Sit on the floor and eat with your hands. You're surrounded by tapestry, rugs, pillows and couches all persian looking. Basically, the menu just lists: Dinner. Unless there's a special that night, you just get a meal served to you. I remember eating olives, bread, and a baked pastry with meat in the middle which was quite large and flaky. The main dish was lamb. I don't remember a dessert, but I do remember being served a delicious mint tea. Oh and ladies, don't wear a light colored shirt. The owner sprinkles water on you.
(3)Laci T.
We decided to go here to celebrate Valentine's Day, but since this restaurant is closed on Mondays we went on Saturday instead. I had wanted to come here for a long time, and it was disappointing to say the least. We made reservations for 6:30. We got there a few minutes after, and stood in the entrance for at least 5 minutes before we were even acknowledged by anybody. The restaurant was not even packed yet. Even after the hostess came to help us, there was no greeting or apology for making us wait. After we were seated, we had to wait at least 10-15 minutes to receive menus or glasses of water. While we were waiting, we saw that groups that came in after us were already being served food. We even witnessed the hostess asking a couple that was already halfway through their meal to move so they could accommodate a large party. Totally unprofessional. They only offer a set menu with a choice of entrees. We decided to get the rack of lamb (house special) and the cornish hen with preserved lemons. The soup was good and the salad tray was alright. I loved the chicken pie dish, it was served in a flaky crust and even had powdered sugar and almonds. It was unique and definitely unexpected. At this point, the restaurant was packed. Every table was full and somehow, there were only 3 people working in the restaurant - 1 hostess and 2 waiters/bussers. There were people standing in the entrance for over an hour. This made our "romantic" dinner very stressful, to not only be seated at a table directly facing the irate awaiting customers, but to have to endure the hectic environment of having too many diners and not enough workers. The dessert was terrible. It included baklava, funnel cake, and mint tea. The baklava was okay, but the funnel cake was the worst I've ever had in my life. It tasted like it had been fried hours prior and was inedibly hard and tasted of only oil. The mint tea was enjoyable, however, I didn't even get to finish it because the hostess removed all of our dishes, simply stating, "Sorry to rush you." It is unacceptable for wait staff to not even ask if you are finished before taking everything away!!! If that wasn't bad enough, she brought the check and just stood there to get us to hurry up. In fact, she grabbed the bill from us while we were figuring out the tip and we didn't even get a chance to put one in. While we were gathering our things, she even placed glasses of water for the next people that were going to get our table. I have NEVER had this happen to me before I have even gotten up to leave. We were there for less than 2 hours, in which the first half hour was spent waiting around and enduring terrible service. It felt horrible to feel that we had gone out of our way to make a reservation, and to feel pushed out of the restaurant so they could turn the table for the next couple waiting. It also made us angry that there were groups dining at the restaurant that had gotten there before us, but they weren't being rushed out like us. On a positive note, the decor is great and the orange blossom blessing was cool. Not to mention, the whole eating-with-our-hands thing reminded us of the movie "Along Came Polly". Final thoughts: The hostess mentioned that it was exceptionally busy that night, however, I believe that no matter how busy a restaurant is, they committed some definite service no-no's. To rush us out of the restaurant because they were slammed and understaffed gave us a less than enjoyable dining experience. The food was mediocre and not what we would expect for $80+. I'd probably wait at least 5-10 years before going back.
(1)Cathy T.
I LOVE my good friend Laura for introducing me to this wonderful place! I'd never eaten Moroccan food before but I was game as soon as she mentioned that we'd be eating with our hands. (although they do offer silver upon request) Pros: The Food: flavorful and filling. The Pris fix menu starts with a Moroccan salad which includes hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, marinated carrots, olives, and a tomato salad with two pieces of whole wheat bread. It is a great starter and gets everyone in the mood to eat with their hands. Also included in the starters is a "tomato" soup. The next course is the B'Stilla which is best described to me as kind of a chicken pot pie but slightly sweet. IT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEAL. It came to our table piping hot so we did ask for a knife to cut into it. The filo dough was crispy and flaky, the inside moist and tender. The sweetness contrasted nicely with the savory filling. The entrees included calamari, lamb brochettes, and fish of the day (salmon). The lamb was tender, a nice medium-rare, and served kabob style. The calamari was universally agreed (by our small party) to be the best calamari any of us had ever eaten. Perfectly cooked, not chewy in the slightest, and served w/ a caper infused sauce that has changed my opinion of capers. The salmon was the only slight disappointment. The strong flavors of the sauce and spices hid the freshness of the salmon, which was perfectly cooked. also enjoyed a side-order of couscous which was not necessary as we were pretty stuffed already! The baklava and "funnel" cake were a nice sweet bit at the end of the meal along with the sweet mint tea & refreshing orange blossom "misting." We even were lucky enough to get a second serving of tea!! The atmosphere: Located in a bright blue building it almost feels as if you're in someones home. The ceiling were tented with silky fabric and rugs hand from the walls. The tables are low to the ground and booth style seating runs along the wall with cushioned "poofs" to serve as seating for the other side of the tables. The table are fairly close together, but this just adds to the merriment of the meal. Eating without the benefit of utensils is a fun experience and makes the experience feel much more intimate. I would recommend that you only go with people you are very comfortable with as sharing food and touching each others meals is very likely to happen. The service: The people there are so warm and friendly. They're willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you have a wonderful experience. Yes, the meal is a leisurely one, and can take a minimum of 1.5 hours but it is a multi-course experience! Just relax and enjoy you self. The drinks: as others have mentioned it is BYOB. We brought a tangerine flavored beer and a slightly sweet red blended wine. Both complemented the food very well. The Cons: Parking: Only 6 stalls outside of the restaurant but there is street parking (if you're lucky enough to find some) I'd recommend going for an earlier seating (say 6:30 as opposed to 7) in order to ensure parking. I don't think this is an ideal place for large groups because the table are very close together but at the only can only seat 6 comfortably. I'm not sure how the could accommodate anything larger..perhaps seat your party at two tables next to each other? I'm obviously in love with this place and can not wait to go back again!
(5)Stephanie H.
Eating here is like a fun little adventure. The ambiance inside is not that impressive, but I like how you feel like you are eating over at someones house. My favorite part was when our server sprinkled rose water on our hands and over our heads for good luck and good health. She was so sweet and friendly, she took the time to explain the whole menu to us as we were newbs to the Moroccan experience. First of all let me say that this is not a dine and dash kind of place. You sit, you talk to your dining partner, relax, enjoy. Just from the atmosphere you should know that this is not fast food, it's cooked with care and love. It's pri fix so the dishes come out one at a time. Crack open a bottle of your wine or beer sit back in the cushions and take it easy. The whole experience for us took a good two hours, and it was two hours well spent. The lentil soup was so flavorful without being too salty. The salad was absolutely delightful especially with the wheat bread, yum! We ordered the lamb brochettes and cornish hen with lemon and olives as our entrees. Both entrees were juicy and full of flavor. I loved every last bite and the portions were just right, not too big yet I was satisfied at the end. Having said that I do think it is a bit pricey for what you get, at any other sit-down restaurant $35 gets you a lot more food than here. If you can get over the price I would highly recommend Casablanca.
(5)Darcie C.
The decor is like no other in Hawaii. I love seating on the floor and eating with my hands...also BYOB! which also means great for groups. The food is platter style for sharing. And the dessert is very good! The owner comes out to sprinkle rosemary water on you....He's very nice. We will go back again.
(4)Tammy T.
*Disclaimer: First time eating Moroccan food. Jecca wanted to try this place because it was "hands" on, and something about the decor she said. So we went. (picture) The inside is definitely interesting, you can either sit on the booth side of the table or bean bag chair. 2 things to remember: 1) the bean bag chair does get unforgettable since there is no back support. And 2) If you are wearing pants that show your crack when you sit...don't sit on the bean bag chair, your back faces the rest of the room. I think they're open from 6:00 - 8:30. I could be wrong. It's a set price for the following and you get to choose your main course. Best to go in a group of 3 or 4. Meal includes(you all share this as a group): -Harrira Soup (everyone gets one) -Bread pieces (she comes by with a basket full of bread) -Moroccan Salad (the carrot one was delish) -B'Stilla (some flaky meat pie; ha ha meat pie) (main course gets inserted here) -Chalbabia (like a mini funnel cake; spelling might be really off) -Fresh Mint and Tea (everyone gets one and it's super awesome) Main Course: Cornish Hen with preserved Lemons and Olives Tagine Lamb with Honey Lamb Brochette Couscous with vegetable and Lamb First off you get to wash your hands at the table. Which is nice but weird because I like to "wash" my hands for more then 5 seconds, and because the lady stands there and pours water for you as you wash (picture) I feel like a douch if I wash for any longer. You get sprinkled with something sometime during the meal. The tea is awesome! I would totally drink that all the time. Lamb was super good! Over all it was nice to do something different, it's WAY to far for me since I'm a towny, but it's totally worth the experience.
(3)Lezley K.
Went there with my girlfriends for a girl's night out last weekend and it was great. I had the special rack of lamb which was really good and I'm not a big fan of lamb. The other courses in the fixed menu were equally good and there are a lot of choices for the entree as well. Prices were reasonable at $50 which in a lot of places would just be for the entree and you get a 5 course meal for that price. The ambiance of the place is fun and comfortable especially with a group of people, there were 8 of us. You could move around and talk with everyone, much better then sitting on 1 long table. BYOB is great too, parking kind of limited but there is a good amount of street parking nearby so it's no big deal. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Lindley B.
Looks like all the reviews for this place are positive. Wish I could say I've eaten here but when my boyfriend and I finally went to try Casablanca we were told the strangest thing I've ever been told by a restaurant. We walked inside and we waited up at the front for someone to greet us. The restaurant was less than halfway full and the waiter soon approached us and said to give him a minute. He walked away and a few minutes later another waiter approached us and said....get this....said he couldn't seat us....in a restaurant that was less than halfway full. Apparently the reason was that they had a whole bunch of reservations that were late. Instead of telling us they couldn't seat us they should have given us a wait time. Some people that were already there would have been done soon and we could of taken their table. I understand the restaurant wanted to honor their reservations but how long were they gonna wait for late reservations??? Instead they decided to turn away paying customers. What if some of those reservations decided not to show up? I was shocked when they told us to leave. I've never heard of a restaurant turning away business when they obviously weren't full. I almost don't want to go back. Guess the lesson is to always make reservations at this place.
(1)Stacie P.
Ever wonder about the restaurant that looks like a little blue house on Hoolai St? That's Casablanca Restaurant and it's been there since 1994. Never knew this place existed till friends of mine went there a few months ago for dinner and sang them praises over their food. It's easy for this place to be one of those best kept secrets on the island since it's off the main road and on a small side street in Kailua but I'm sharing it with everyone... I went there last night for dinner to celebarate a friends' 10th annviersary. There were about 10 of us and we sat in the front of the restaurant right under the air conditioner. As a result, anyone sitting against the wall was HOT! We sat around 2 tables, some of us sitting on the booths and other sitting on large pillows, which were surprisingly comfortable. However, I do recommend wearing pants, or shorts might be more appropriate, since it's hot and you're sitting pretty low to the ground. The food was soooo good! It's a pre-set menu but you can select from a list of dishes or from their daily specials for your main course. We started off with what I'm gonna call an appetizer of different sauces to dip our bread in. My favorite of all the sauces was the eggplant - it was delicious! The second dish was a minced meat wrapped in philo dough, which looked like a pastry/pie and topped with powder sugar. Sounds like an odd combo of savory and sweet but was sooooooo goood! I was stuffed at that point and contemplated taking my main dish - couscous, chicken and veggies home but I powered through and ate it. I skipped the couscous thinking that it would spare my stomach from exploding. Dessert included hot tea with mint and baklava I was so full by the end of the meal but wanted to keep eating, everything was so great! The place is BYOB so we brought beer and some wine we bottled from across the street at Oeno and since we were there for a celebration, we also brought in our own cake. The restaurant doesn't have a whole lot of parking. I think there may be 4-5 stalls in the front but if you can find street parking, it's totally worth circling the block a few times. The place is hot so that's a drawback and I didn't think the waiters were all that friendly or hospitable but the food definitely made up for what was lacking. Now I just gotta figure out a reason to go back and find a bunch of friends who are adventurous enough to try Moroccan food. I just have to add that the whole time I was there I couldn't help but think about that sence in the movie Along Came Polly where Ben Stiller goes out to dinner with Jennifer Anniston at a similar restaurant and is sweating like maniac cause the food's so spicy. I wouldn't say the food is that spicy but the atmosphere is pretty comparable.
(4)Justine C.
This is definitely a place to go to if you're visiting Kailua. I highly recommend reservations, good company, and also a free night. The food is absolutely delicious, and I like the bring-your-own-wine aspect of the restaurant. My only criticisms are that the service can tend to be slow, so make sure you're free for the night. The rosemary water that they sprinkle on you at the end can be surprising for a few people, but I didn't mind it...except the water that landed on my phone...and the towels they give you after they come over with a pot of water to wash your hands are apparently also your dinner napkins for the night. It looks like they're just regular hand towels, but I think it'd do this place some good if they got news ones so that they just looked a little bit less used. The atmosphere is nice and unlike any other location in Kailua. For the most part, you're sitting on cushions on the floor or on low chairs, so I recommend wearing pants or long skirts. Make sure you're comfortable eating with your hands! The food is absolutely delicious, so you'll be eager to dig into it with no shame and even if you don't know exactly what it is you're eating. Although this place is a bit pricey, it's one of my favorite dinner locations to go to in Kailua. With the right company and wine, you're definitely bound for a memorable evening.
(4)Erika A.
I feel like a jerk for only giving them 3 stars. I planned a surprise birthday party at this place and they were oh-so accommodating for 30 people. We brought our own wine-NO corkage fee. Wait staff was friendly and brought out dishes pretty quickly. Great service. Owner was very willing to work with us on all aspects of the birthday surprise. The place is cool, it was great to try something different with using your hands to eat and sitting on the flooe, etc. A++++ for all of this. HOWEVER, this is a restaurant, right? So I guess to fairly rate this place it would have to be about the FOOD experience. It was ok. Definitely not the best food I've ever had, but not the worst. Meh. Lots of courses, but not one really stood out as something I would crave to come back for. Maybe if it weren't so expensive I would feel differently. I know there's a lot of courses, but honestly, each course was not that big (at least when you are sharing it with 5 other people at your table). The food is just not good enough or generous enough to justify $35 a head (not including tax and tip). I guess we were paying for the experience though. Like I said though, if you are planning a huge party, it was a perfect place to do it, so big up to this place for helping us out in that regard.
(3)Stacey K.
Went for a surprise birthday dinner. It was too hot!! The A/C was on full blast but it was still a sauna.. I had to go outside for some fresh cool air (and a cig). The ambiance was cozy and romantic. The food was good (especially since it's the only Moroccan restaurant in Hawaii there isn't much competition) but it was uncomfortable sharing large dishes with everyone licking their fingers. I'd recommend coming here on a date, I think if I had been here on a date the rating would have gone up at least .5 stars.
(3)Margaret W.
This place has great decor and ambiance. My party truly felt as if we had be transported to another part of the world. The wait staff did seem a little stiff but helpful nonetheless. The waiter kept referring to things as vegetarian, when we were asking if they contained egg, meaning vegan, not vegeratrian...huge difference. However he was patient and helpful in answering our questions. In case you are wondering, they can easily accommodate vegans.The soup and "salad" were amazing. The main dish was tasty, but nothing I couldn't have made at home. The desert was not too my liking and the tea was far too sweet. That all said, you are paying for the experience, which is worth the $45 price.
(4)Tamara S.
I would love to give my first yelp review on this place! It was an awesome and unique dining experience. The food was delicious and the service was very nice. Well worth the money!
(4)Merlene A.
Always a fabulous dining experience!!! Everything was great from the soup, salad, bread, bastilla, Cornish game hen, rack of lamb, dessert and mint green tea!
(5)kari n.
I really adore this restaurant. It's really cute with great food and an awesome ambiance. I don't think anywhere else in Hawaii offers this type of dining experience. It has draped ceilings with traditional lamps hanging, low slung tables, chairs and cushions, and a very cozy feel. I'm not an expert on Moroccan cuisine but I do like the way everything tastes. It's a prix fixe meal that runs about $40 a person. The reason for the two stars, instead of five, is because of a very unprofessional waiter. As he was setting down dessert, he informed us that there was another party waiting. He said he wasn't rushing us but if we could finish faster that would be great, he needed our table to seat the next party, he could also box up our dessert for us too. Keep in mind, he had just set it down. Needless to say, our group was very put off by this. We left the restaurant about 15 minutes later...no one was waiting for a table. As we were in the parking lot getting ready to leave, the waiter came outside to let us know the other party had left and we could come back and sit down if we want. Uh, no thank you. Previous to this, we spent the entire dinner talking about when we would be back and thinking of other friends to invite who would enjoy the experience. I'll probably be back but after the rude waiter literally kicked us out, I'm not in such a rush to return or introduce my friends to this type of service.
(2)Evan R.
This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii, and it is definitely a unique experience. Where else will they pour scented water on your head to start the meal and not give you any utensils? Casablanca makes you feel like you've left Hawaii, re-appeared in some far-away African/mid-east desert, and then stumbled into a cozy little hole-in-the-wall eatery. You sit around low tables either on pillows or soft chairs and proceed to eat course after course, family style... with your hands! So, don't go with that booger-picking friend of yours, unless you want a little extra saltiness to your hummus. I really like the lamb there, as a main course, but far-and-away my favorite thing on the menu is this crispy pie that is filled with ground meat, cinnamon, and spices. Not sure what it's called, but it's on the fixed menu and you'll love it! I've managed to burn my tongue on it over and over. Have fun, and don't worry, there's plenty of room to park your magic carpet on the street in front.
(5)Kellie H.
I love Morrocan food, and I been to Casablanca in Deleware and Philadelphia. Deleware by far is the winning restaurant, you get a full 8 course meal and you get to choose for 3 or 4 of the entrees. Their restaurant was much bigger and had belly dancers on the weekends... Ok so my number one issue is the fact that making a reservation doesn't guarantee you'll have a reservation! We had to wait around for an extra 30 minutes waiting on our reservation...??? What was the point?! After being seated we waited about 15 minutes just to get a glass of water for us and our son! Which we didn't even get from our own server! The food was pretty decent, definitely not the best Moroccan for sure! I had the Lamb With honey and almonds and my husband had the chicken with couscous. Again we waited..for a spoon for the couscous. She finally brought one after we reminded her yet again and replied Oh I'm sorry I should've brought one out...duh! Doubt I'll be driving 40 minutes again for that kind of service!
(2)Amanda T.
So I've never been to Morocco or eaten Moroccan food prior to eating here so I can't tell you if the food is authentic or not BUT I can tell you that it was to die for. The ambience of the place is the best part...oh and the BYOB part. That means wine, beer, soda, whatever...bring it and drink it. Mmm So the place is dark (but not too dark), and if it's busy it's kind of community style because the other tables are pretty close together. But the floor pillows are just fun and the low tables. I loved it. No silverware was probably the weirdest thing that I was totally not expecting. But I love how they wash your hands after each course. So cool. And I would love to have some of the mint tea every night before bed. That stuff is so yummy. Oh and can't forget the water blessing! C'mon people....how many places have you gone and received a water blessing before dessert?!? Love it!
(4)Puddytat C.
Great for an interesting Moroccan treat. Love the atmosphere which adds to the adventure. Not my favorite food but it's excellent in presentation. You get a great selection of different dishes in one meal. It's a fun place to have a small group but you definitely need reservations and arrive early to find parking, which is very limited. Request a table in the back room for Moroccan atmosphere, sitting on cushions with romantic lighting. It's a fun experience.
(4)John W.
I had heard good things about this place and despite the cost it well worth it. The service was fantastic, the food fresh and flavorful. I love eating with my hands and the seating was very comfortable. The only thing I can complain about is they should serve more bread with everything, but they had no problem giving me extra.
(4)Eveline C.
The food and service was great. A special experience you can't forget. It's unfortunate that we will not be able to come back anytime soon. But will highly recommend it to any one traveling to Oahu.
(4)Arsenio E.
I used to live a few blocks away from this restaurant. I thought I was in Morocco when I went to this place. The Lamb was amazing, the rose water blessing and the ritual hand cleansing before eating was truly out of this world and culturally stimulating. When I get back to Hawaii, I am going straight here, do not pass go and spend my $200! It is worth it, I miss this place.
(5)Jenny L.
Since Kailua is limited with unique dining experiences, Casablanca is a great place to enjoy a different ritual. You eat with your hands and you sit on comfy couches or cushions. I've been coming here for years and the food is still very good. The service can be slow, but this is not a place to eat and dash either. Since most of the guest were new to the place, they were all really pleased. Having a pre-fix menu makes it easy. If you like to eat lamb, get their special. Otherwise, the can accomodate vegetarians and they also have cornish hen and a fish special. Starting with a bread, soup, various salads, bastille, entree, and dessert, all for approx. $40 per person is a great deal! It is BYOB, so be prepared. The liquor store around the corner is only good for a cold brewski. You can also check out Kalapawai near by.
(4)Evan S.
Be prepared to wait......a long time. This is not the place for a quick pop-in for dinner. Make sure you bring whatever it is that you want to drink because the place is BYOB. The food was ok, it's not a 5 star dining experience or anything like that. It was good atmosphere and the staff was friendly, but extremely busy. The people giving the place 5 stars on their review are out of their minds, just try to curb your enthusiasm.
(3)Justine S.
Love the culture and ambiance!! It was like taking a mini vacation for a couple of hours. All of the sides were delicious. My date and I shared the Rack of Lamb which was one of the nightly specials and the Calamari. With all of the appetizers, soup, etc, I was pretty full by the time I got to the main courses but they were delicious as well. The dessert was light and a nice finish to a long meal. The price point was a bit high for a restaurant with a somewhat casual vibe but then again, there are a few courses. I still think it could be a bit more reasonable. Also, the staff asked every few minutes if I was still working on my plate... I felt like I wasn't supposed to socialize bc it was taking too long to ingest my main course. Nevertheless, I am definitely going to return and would recommend Casablanca as a great restaurant for anyone looking for a very cool, cultural dining experience.
(4)Shanti M.
Wow, wow, wow! The waiter (co-owner F'th) was enough to warrant 5 stars, alone. It was an experience I will remember for a long time. Such beautiful and sincere hospitality, I felt I was in his native land, or perhaps in his family's home. Food was incredibly generous - it kept coming, and coming.... and then the main course came, and I actually took mine home - too full! (It made a delish brunch the following day!) Interesting, fun, filling - and emotionally fulfilling, at least if F'th waits on you. Make sure he does! You won't regret it.
(5)Christina F.
It took three hours to complete our meal here. Service was very slow. Every course had a wait time of about half an hour in between. Food was okay for the experience. Bring your own alcohol was a plus.
(2)Olivia D.
This restaurant used to be the best kept secret on the island. I had wanted to eat there for years, but 1) couldn't get anyone to go with me, and 2) was too lazy to drive to Kailua to figure out where it was. Finally, after moving back from Paris, I was really craving some Moroccan food again and decided to seek it out. It was wonderful. I started with a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, feta and herbs. I was so enamored by it, it almost frightened me. This is coming from a person who hates salads and avoids anything raw. Typical Moroccan dishes are served here: b'stilla, tagines, couscous, and Cornish game hen with preserved lemons and olives. I had roasted lamb and it was moist and delicous. I don't know of any other restaurant on the island that serves authentic couscous. Update: I recently revisited Casablanca and had to take away three stars. Sigh. I don't know what happened. The whole premise of the restaurant is different now. The menu is prix fixe, so you share an appetizer platter with different cold, bland, and yucky salads with your table, then the b'stilla which I found to be unbearably hard and dry this time, then an entree of your choice and some dessert. This was all served by one very nonenthusuastic waiter (for the entire restaurant) who couldn't really pronounce anything. Usually, being sprinkled with orange flower water at the end of a meal is supposed to be fun and refreshing. Imagine an overworked, lethargic waiter throwing handfuls of water right at you. Not so fun.
(2)Googleone G.
Great food here. BYOB, dessert is great. Rack of Lamb is the best. Reservation only during the weekends. There is a wine shop accross the street if you want to get alcohol.
(5)Ashley B.
i've actually been to morocco, so i figured i'd have to lower my expectations for this moroccan restaurant in Hawaii, except i honestly didn't have to. if you haven't had moroccan food or anything remotely close to moroccan food [i.e. ethiopian, etc], then you may get a bit of a culture shock. lots of different spices that you're probably not used to. no utensils [unless your order couscous]. plenty of moroccan decor. you're able to sit on leather bean bags. and before dessert, they sprinkle your hands and yourself w/orange blossom to freshen you up. they also wash your hands in the beginning and end. and they pour the mint tea the correct moroccan way! [btw: this is also a BYOB place.] the dinner menu's basically set. you just choose your entree. what i enjoyed the best is their B'stilla. [i first tried this dish in Morocco, fell in love w/it, never learned it's name, and mourned at the thought of never again eating it. luckily, i was wrong.] we had the lamb w/couscous and braised lamb. basically, im a sucker for lamb, and it was good. the couscous was alright. the price is ridiculous, but i think one trip is worth it. i spent over $600 for a trip from Spain to Morocco; you can have a somewhat similar experience w/just $35....well, minus a hookah, better couscous, and a camel ride to an oasis in the middle of the Sahara.
(4)n p.
3.5 - 4. I LOVE couscous so this was a major treat for me. The portions were HUGE, I was stuffed after the soup and salad alone. The restaurant is really cute though with the drapery and poofs to sit on. It is a bit expensive, four of us ate for a bit under $200. But totally worth it for the experience.
(4)Phil J.
Ok....once again, either my expectations are way over the top, or people here like paying a high price for really POOR FOOD! I had heard nice things about this place, but maybe it was a while ago. We arrived at the 6 pm opening on Wednesday, were quizzed about reservations and told to sit at any empty table. Service started out good, the young guy brought us wine glasses and an opener for our wine.. The soup arrived about 15 minutes later along with really bland, dry bread, maybe a dish of olive oil would have helped? The soup was honestly the tastiest part of our whole over priced 'dinner'. The salad arrived and really honestly the only thing on the plate with any semblance of flavor was the tomatoes, and that is because they had vinegar on them! Costco hummus is far better, and the tabbouleh had no hint of either mint or garlic, the world wide universal flavoring for this dish. Also lacking any flavor was the eggplant paste, the carrots were ok, although salt is not used by this kitchen. The chicken pastry bistecca (sp) arrived about 20 agonizing minutes later and looked very nice, too bad it was dry and just plain boring, no imagination at all used here! As if that wait was not long enough we waited about 45 more minutes for entrees to arrive The server actually started to serve a table of 6 theirs before realizing he forgot us, and then stopped serving them and brought ours out! I know he was alone, but really he only had 5 tables, and all but the six top were parties of 2!! I had the up charged lamb special, wow what a sad plate! When you call something a RACK of lamb (for $50 with tip) it better be more than the pitiful almost half rack I was served. It tasted ok, but very bland and just disappointing. The couscous was crappy too, with a lousy bit of unseasoned veggies on top. My friend had pan fried fish fillet, wow, really you are going to serve salmon in Hawaii as a fresh fish? Come on now don't charge $38 for a tasteless piece of farmed salmon when you have a restaurant in Hawaii! It was boring beyond belief and once again was not seasoned at all! Had to ask for salt and pepper..It did not help! Also please don't insult my intelligence by calling a greasy tough funnel cake dessert! If I want to spend $100 for crappy food without wine I can certainly find it closer to home. Sorry but I absolutely would recommend you skip this one!
(1)Jennifer S.
One of my most favorite places to eat, come hungry! The Lamb is phenomenal, and couscous is Yum! It's BYOB, some come prepared!
(5)Jamie T.
I'm sad to say that I wasn't thrilled with my dinner here. I went with a group of 8 newbies for a birthday dinner. None of us really knew what to expect, but we're pretty adventurous and open to new dining experiences. The service we received was mediocre at best. Maybe my expectations were high since I read some of the great reviews on Yelp before heading over. When I arrived I wasn't greeted and ended up seating myself after scanning the resturant for others in my party. Once our entire party arrived, our server came to take our order. We explained that this was our first time, but she didn't really make an effort to let us know how it worked, so we asked some questions. She answered factually but never really offered much. I'm not sure I saw any of the staff smile the whole night. Even when she did the orange blossom splash, it flet like she was just going through the motions. We tried to ask some questions about what the smell was and what the ritual was for. "It's just a sign of hospitality," she answered without a smile. Perhaps the food would make up for the (lack of) service? I've never really had Moroccon food before, so I don't have anything to compare to, but I wasn't too thrilled with it either. Everything was okay, but not something I would necessarily crave and come back for. The soup was luke warm, not sure if this is how it is supposed to be. The "salad" is really a plate of hummus, tabouleh, eggplant, carrots, and peppers which you eat by scooping it up with the bread they pass around. They told us to take 2 pieces of bread to start with, but with no plates, we weren't sure if we were supposed to put it directly on the table? On the towel on our lap? Most of us ended up balancing it on our water glass. The next dish was a savory pastry and I have to agree with the other poster -- it reminded me of the time Rachel on Friends tried to cook and ended up mixing together components of a sweet dish and a savory dish because the pages of her recipe book were stuck together. The dish was okay, just an unexpected combination of flavors. For the main dish, I had the rack of lamb (house special), which the server said many people really like. It was okay...the frozen rack I pick up from Trader Joe's is just as good. The calamari my hubby got was a little overcooked, and he was unsatisfied after inhaling the dish in about 30 seconds. He ended up using a spoon because it was just too messy to eat with his fingers. I was looking forward to the dessert because I love funnel cake from fairs, but this kind of tasted like fried oil. The tea at the end was interesting. It reminded me of drinking gum. Or swallowing the toothpaste after brushing my teeth. I don't know. Maybe this was an off night. Maybe it's just not my cup of (mint) tea.
(2)Jerry S.
This is a must do for close friends, went there with a group of 10 people. Eating is very intimate, as you will be using your hands. But what a wonderful experience. The Lamb was just scrumptious!!!!! A 3 Course meal and BYOB....cannot go wrong. Only hit is parking, you will have to park around the corner and walk it in. Their parking lot holds 4 cars.
(4)Carne A.
We ate there recently and had a decent meal. I had the lamb tagine w eggplant which was essentially large drumstick, tasted OK. The rack of lamb friends had was much tastier. Place kind of tired on the inside w worthless AC unit spewing warm air. They finally opened front door which was nice. The server was young man who was part of family and very friendly. I can't say anything bad about the food but for 38.00 I expected a bit more.
(3)Joo S.
i'd like to start off by saying that i like to come here for the experience as much as the food. i'm no moroccan food expert and i've never been to morocco, so i have no idea whether or not this place is authentic. however, every time i come here, i have a fabulous (yes, fabulous) time because of the tasty food and great ambiance. there are wall-to-wall persian carpets without any windows, maybe it's supposed to feel like you're in a moroccan tent? in any case, it's a great place to come with a group of friends or on a romantic date. i like sitting on the poofs and the fact that it's BYOB. the menu is sort of prix-fixe. All the courses are shared family style except for the entree (you pick your own) and the soup. the first time i went, i had the cornish hen with lemons...really good. it's very tangy, which i like. the second time i went, i got the rack of lamb special with couscous and veggies. really really good! the only gripe i have is with the dessert. baklava and some funnel cake looking thing with honey drizzled on it. it's not the greatest but the mint honey tea that it comes with is tasty :)
(5)Kay R.
My boyfriend and I travelled from Ewa to Kailua to experience moroccan cuisine and to meet my friend's gf. It was a VERY BAD EXPERIENCE. Upon seating, I asked the waiter if we could please be re-seated because the party next to us was very loud and the seat was very low and uncomfortable as it was above my shoulder and the cusion was very soft. He said, "we are very busy tonight and if you want you can come back another night." RUDE!!!! Then, we were asked to put out our hands so we can get water dripped over our fingers (as this is considered washing your hands) and wipe with grotesque used towels over our lap! Then, we pain through the utensiless meal , eating minimally close to vegetarian with this very tasteless bread dipped in equally tasteless dips. The soup was served drenched in salt (my max allowance met in one small bowl of soup 1000mg sodium, I'm guessing) and besides that, I was not happy with the pastry that was basically nuts and mushed chicken meat which we had to pick through with our fingers. I ordered salmon and this was expected to be flawless (since the price was $35 a meal), but the main course was just absolutely tastless as well!!! Desert was a joke, it was fried dough, dipped in concentrated sugar! UGH, another disaster! After all that travel and expense, I believe that this restaurant was over rated by my friends, who shall remain nameless. WE WILL NEVER PAY FOR A MEAL IN THIS RESTAURANT, NOR RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!
(1)Jocelyn L.
"Good ambience and the lamb shank was yummy! Felt like i was in a genie's lamp. Tad pricey for HI though"
(3)Albert L.
If I were to judge the experience of eating at this restaurant it would definitely be 5 stars! Although I realize that part of the reason I had such a great time was the company of 8 other people I was eating with was excellent, and we also totally pounded about 6-7 bottles of wine during dinner...all of which made it an amazing dinner experience. As mentioned before, this is such a unique place, where you literally sit down and eat with your hands. I thought their soup and appetizer plate was great, and the B'stilla dish, which I can best described as a fluffy powdery sweet chicken filled pastry, is probably one of the most unique dishes I've had in a long time. You get to pick one main dish with your $40 price-fix dinner, and I chose the lamb tagine with eggplant which seemed to be a big hit. Their ending dessert was only so-so, and if I think about it I might have expected slightly more quantity of food for $40 a person. However, that being said, this place is a GREAT group dining experience, but to make it totally worthwhile you should bring some of your own wine (no corkage fee) in order to compliment this very interesting eating experience.
(4)S. J.
The food here is unique and tastes amazing. It's a set menu, you just choose the dinner course. You eat with your hands, even if you have a big group of people. BYOB, a great place to drink with friends and eat some great food. And for some reason it's never crowded, which I love.
(5)Gigi R.
Amazing! Did I already say Amazing? I've never eaten Moroccan food before so I was leary on whether I'd even like it or not. But I went with an open mind and decided from the start I was going to try everything! The ambiance is comfortable and kinda romantic even though I went with friends. I loved the different courses of meals and there wasn't anything I didn't like! Actually all the food was amazing! I had the cornish hen and prunes as my main meal and was not disappointed at all! I loved the tea at the end!!! Dessert course could be better but by then, I was so full it didn't matter!!! TRY IT!!! For a different experience and great food!
(5)Carly A.
Delicious!! Had the lamb special and savored every bite.
(5)Steph S.
LOVED this place! Wish we had one back home. The atmosphere is quiet and cozy and the decor is gorgeous! Carpets cover the floor, the walls, probably the ceiling but I was too busy gorging on my food to look up. Sitting on the floor and eating without utencils made everything so much better! It was a really romantic. Five course meal and BYOBottle made this one of our best experiences in Oahu. The food was really fantastic and beautifully balanced to indulge about every range of taste buds I've got. Great place for first dates - If your date doesn't love this place, you need a new date!
(5)Keesha G.
So I just was there tonight. IT WAS DA BOMB DIGGITY. This is a family owned and operated place so small staff but there is passion in the food and you feel like you are in a Morroccan home rather than a resturant. I love Mediterranean and Arabic food and have eaten it in the Mettiterranean plenty. I know what is good. This food was amazing. I was impressed at the authenticity and presentation.The flavors were right on and I cant say enough how this place made my week. Beautiful serving dishes and beautiful food. I loved the whole experience and the orange blossom water sprinkle was so fragrant and just fun. Really the five course meal at like 35 is a good deal. I had the special at 39. I BMOBs and it was a hoot and hollar of a time. I think this is the best place I have eaten on the Island in like 2 years and I will for sure be going back. Thanks
(5)Rita L.
I love having dinner at this restaurant! It has such a great ethnic vibe! The Moroccan food here is soo yummy! I love the salad! The carrots are soo tasty! The bread the give u here is very heavy, I took 2 and only ate 1! The Bastilla is very hot, careful! Eat their lamb, its always a hit w/ our friends! My favorite part of our meal is having the rose water sprinkle all over u...ahhh so refreshing! The mint morrocan tea is perfect at the end of the meal. the dessert was forgettable!
(4)Joshua C.
Backstory: If you ever want a perfect activity to pair with a dinner at this place, take a tour of Doris Duke's Shangri-La Estate (setup through the Academy of Arts shangrilahawaii.org/page… ) before eating here. The estate's a dazzling collection of Islamic art that literally whisks you away to the Morocco and the Middle East. Having completed our tour and some sight seeing at Makapu'u we accidently ended up in Kailua, standing right outside of Casablanca (was showing my friends where to find Kalapawai and Agnes Bakeshop). Having wanted to try the place anyway, the decision was as easy as choosing to eat Italian in Boston's North End (it just made sense). Actual Review: That eating here was a perfect ending to an awesome day of hanging out with two good friends definitely inflated my overall experience (the three of us were having such a good time that even McDonald's might have gotten a star had we ate there). The decor while not nearly as nice as Shangri-La (see above) had that transporting effect. So we ordered the $40/person prix-fixe....the lentil soup was flavorful and delicious...we fought over the cravable carrots...all really liked the B'stilla (sort of a flaky sweet chicken pot pie...umm yeah strange, but good)....the entrees and dessert were just okay. I'd probably give the experience as a whole 5 stars (great place to hang out with good friends...and to eat with your hands...I felt so at home doing this)....but as Simon would say "if I'm being completely honest with you" at $40 a person I'd expect a little nicer decor and more memorable main dishes. Check out Jane C's review for more details yelp.com/biz/casablanca-…
(2)Matt J.
Would put 0 stars if it was an option..I agree with a prior review I read before, had loved the place before, not sure what happened..went there for a birthday party had reservations for 14 people. 1st off no parking anywhere! Get valet service! Good thing we went early! Took 30 min to find parking...then they put 13 people on 2 small tables made for tops 8 at best! They had only 2 little air conditioners for the whole dining area so I think they wanted u to feel the 3rd world effect? People around us at other tables were asking if they could move their table outside it was so hot! So we finally get our 1st dish (1 1/2 hours after sitting down!) and there was a cockroach inside the baked chicken dish..never checked to see if we were ok, my wife had to take it back to them in the kitchen. Our other table's appetizer was given to our 1st table, so 2nd table had another 45 min wait! There was for some reason only 3 waiters for whole restaurant with nobody refilling waters. I had to go and take a pitcher by kitchen so we could have water. The whole experience took 4 hours and we could not wait to get it over with. I've worked in the service industry in the past and have never had an incident where a cockroach was found in the food and at least something wasn't comped..wow! It was not worth the price we paid ($40 per Adult/$20 per child) and we will never go back!
(1)Abby B.
I love this place every time I go. BYOB and no corkage fee. The lamb and calamari dishes are my favorites for main dishes. Every course is delicious!
(5)Samantha V.
This place was really good. You have to make a reservation and be sure to check out their hours. It took us a couple tries to get in. Great atmosphere and yummy food. The service was great.
(4)erik w.
came here with a group of about 15 for a surprise birthday party. It's BYOB, so a couple of bottles of wine were brought along for the oocasion. Plenty of chill seating, either along the wall, or on big round ottomans around little round tables. Not sure it worked out ideally for this large group, but otherwise quite cozy. The food is more or less a set menu - I think you have to chose the main entree, but the rest is just brought out on a large platter, family style, as the meal progresses. Everything is really good, and some of it I had for the first time. I don't mind eating with my fingers, luckily they come around and rinse of your hands. One of the more interesting dining experiences I've has on Oahu.
(4)julia c.
the food was diffrent but ok. the environment is special. not really a kid-friendly restaurant due to the nature of their seating style.
(3)Jim S.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Excellent experience. The rack of lamb was to die for! Lamb skewers were tender and tasty. Highly recommend this jewel! Have had two great experiences here.
(4)Jamie C.
Definitely my favorite place to eat on Oahu. The food is always delicious and it's BYOB. Make reservations and prepare for a great night.
(5)Kamalike S.
This is the best food I have ever had in my entire life(next to my mama's cooking). The atmosphere was beautiful and the food was so delicioso. If you are staying neat Waikiki, be prepared for the hour drive it takes to get there. I have to say the food was worth the trip. There was only one rather important negative about this place. When I came to Hawaii I decided to take my at the time 12 year old which is very mature for her age. I called the restaurant ahead of time to check and see if this was an appropriate place for children, they said yes. However, when I got there, I was the only one with a kid in the restaurant and they kept giving her dirty looks and made us and her feel unwelcome to be there. I thought this might have been my paranoia kicking in, but I noticed how attentive they staff were to the other customers surrounding us. That was definitely not cool. Even though, I had this experience, I would come back again, cuz the food is that great. The small inconvenience was finding parking and you should make your reservations a few days in advance since they are pretty popular.
(4)Sharon N.
Absolutely delicious food with a very unique cultural experience. Great for large dinner gatherings with friends. It is BYOB there, however but I think they'll provide you with glasses if you need them. It takes like 3 hours to get through the entire menu of food, but this way it'll give you time to digest a little between courses.
(5)Sean A.
We came here with friends that live about 15 minutes away and had been wanting to try this place for a while. It's definitely a break from the norm, beginning with the awesome decor, the couches and bean bags for seating and the excellent service. The menu is a fixed price, 5 course meal that runs $35 per person, unless you get the special which is $40. The night we were there, the special was an amazing rack of lamb that literally fell off the bone. My wife had the cornish hen, and our friends had the lamb brochettes, and the salmon. Everything was delicious, though it does take a little getting used to with the whole eating with your hands. As a few others have mentioned, it is BYOB, which helps to save a couple bucks, and you're not limited to a fixed beer and wine menu. The mint tea provided as an aperitif as well as the orange blossom water following the after-eating hand wash are an awesome extra touch. So for a place that is completely unassuming from the outside, save the crazy blue hue of the building, the service and food were excellent. P.S. They're only open like 6-9, so you may want to call a few days in advance to make reservations.
(4)Conor S.
The price is high, the food is pretty good, but the atmosphere is great! The ~$40 price tag. It is definitely worth going once, but don't know if I'll be back again. Like others have said, I would suggest bringing wine since its BYOB.
(3)Laura H.
My first yelp: My first Mo-Roccan experience, definately a treat. Plan on a 2 hour + meal. Easily accomodated party of 10, combination seats on comfy benches or the 'poofs/beanbags'. First dish was a tomato based soup which had a lot of flavor and was a nice mix with the 'salad' that came. The salad was individual servings of hummus, eggplant mix, stewed tomatoes, cooked carrots, and a cucumber/pesto salad that was awesome. It came on a big plate so you can mix a little bit of everything you wanted... with hunks of bread! There was a second dish that was served, chicken/almond/something else in a puff pastry with cinnamon and powdered sugar over it.. sounds like a dangerous combo, but very tasty together. Kind of difficult to eat due to the small pieces, but worth the mess. BTW, you eat everything with your fingers, except the main course comes with a spoon.. but I enjoyed the cave-man style for the whole meal. I was able to enjoy the rack of lamb, which was fab-tastic. Succulent and flavorful, I kept eatin even though I was full to the brim.. I couldn't let it go! I believe it is priced just right, it's BYOB, so that saves you mega $$ there. It runs about $40 per person, but is worth it for the experience. I will definately bring my mainland visitors here, even though it is not a "hawaiian" place, but none that compares to what I've had!
(4)Jane C.
A few things off the bat: * The three stars are mostly for the experience, not the food per se! * reservations are recommended (its a small restaurant--popular with groups) * BYOB: there's even a cover charge for people who don't want to eat * limited parking: just buy a drink at L&L across the street or drop by blockbuster and park in the mini-mall lot :) * you eat with your hands here, so if you really need the utensils, just ask and they will provide Basically, its best to go to this place knowing what to expect. When they say they serve full course meals, they do mean that the prix fixe menu is pretty much the ONLY option. The minimum charge per persion: $32.75. But, as we saw with a group who was there at the same time as us, you can bring your own alcohol and have group gatherings with a cover charge (price unknown). The SERVICE: + completely relaxed and easy-going: we were actually waiting for one member of our party for about one hour and they were really good about it + if you don't know what's going on, how to eat, or what you're eating, they seem to be used to it and are really good about explaining things - there were only two servers, who also are the hosts and are the only visible staff at the restaurant so with large groups and a busy night, there's a bit of a wait. (We came as a party of three.) The FOOD: +/- there is a LOT of food that comes with dining here. the prix fixe menu includes: soup (lentil), "salad", "chicken pot pie", entree, "funnel cake", mint tea. everything but the main course (entree) comes out on one dish for the group to share + the soup: i thought this was the best dish of the night. the lentil soup was excellent--sort of a thicker consistency and really well balanced. great flavors + "salad": more like a giant dish divided with different mini-appetizers. Tomatoes in olive oil and herbs(yummy), hummus, tabouleh, and two others that I don't remember the names of. You're offered bread to eat with--excellent and really large thick pieces of bread (not sure what type). - "chicken pot pie": like a cross between an empanada and a flaky dessert. (It's topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon). I hate to say it, but almost reminded me of that Friends episode where Rachel makes the trifle/meat pie for Thanksgiving. Good, just a weird combination. + entree: I got the house special of the day: Rack of Lamb. My first lamb experience and it was okay. It wasn't as tender as I thought it would be or would have liked, but I liked the skin or whatever they coated it with. The sauce was bitter so I tried avoiding it. The dish came with couscous w/vegetables. They also offer a variety of lamb, chicken dishes, as well as fish, calamari, and vegetarian dishes. - "funnel cake": Tasted like this korean snack I've had before. Really crunchy hollow "funnel cake" I guess. "Funnel cake" is how they describe it but it tasted like a crunchy honey coated korean snack. - mint tea: Much too strong for my taste but my friends absolutely loved it! made from spearmint. The ATMOSPHERE: + begins with communal hand washing (water poured by servers)--fun and adds to the experience :) + ends with the "splash". The first reviewer notes it as a "rose water splash" but we had "orange blossom". Either way, it smells WONDERFUL and I wish I had some of whatever it was to splash on everyday! :) + well decorated, awesome music, you forget youre in kailua! In short, (wow this is long), here's what I'd do if I were to go again. Come in a group, bring alcohol (red wine!), half of the group pay the cover fee, half orders food then split the total costs. Way too much food for one person, so see if you can get by with doing that! Call first!
(3)Mary K.
I visited this restaurant a few months ago. The last time I was there was probably 5 or 6 years ago... I was a little disappointed that I was not able to order items off the menu (ala carte) like the years before. Everything was prix fixe, but for vegetarians, there is the option of veggie couscous.... I used to order the veggie couscous, so that was what I ordered this time. Somehow, I remembered the food being tastier years before. I did enjoy the lentil soup, though. I was also disappointed with the dessert. They used to have a dessert called shebakia (I don't know if I spelled it right.) It's kind of like a funnel cake... it's hollow and deep fried. After that it's drizzled with honey and orange flower water. My mouth was watering as I anticipated dessert, however, when the dessert came, it was cookies and baklava. Shebakia was still listed on the prix fixe menu. I asked the waiter why we didn't get the shebakia and was told that they don't make it any more. The Shebakia was more of an authentic dessert of Morocco, but sadly, they do not serve that any more. At least, I was brought back to Morocco for a little bit, after tasting the mint tea which comes at the end of the meal. I wish that they would go back to ordering off the menu rather than it being prix fixe only. And bring the shebakia back.... please???? Also, the service was not that great, as before.
(3)Scott R. D.
This place is excellent and it's an experience. The lovely tent room in the back is like being transported to Morocco. The food is outstanding. You'll also experience a unique service which starts off with the communal washing of hands and ends with an orange flower water blessing. The menu is prix fixe at something like $30. It's totally worth it. Make a reservation if possible.
(5)Lisa M.
I LOVED this place! It's a very neat place. Small, but comfortable. The food was absolutely awesome! It was a very cool experience to eat with your hands. They wash your hand for you at the beginning of the meal and at the end. All the courses were really good! It's BYOB so make sure to bring a bottle of wine or a pack of beer! It was a little pricey (about $40 per person for all courses), but definitely worth it for a unique night out.
(4)Chantelle J.
This place was so unique and fun! First off we got to eat off this super cute round table while sitting on the floor on these cute morrocan pillows. Then they made us eat everything wih our fingers, we asked for forks but, they said,"NO!".....HAHA This was a girls night out and we were all laughing non stop at how we looked like little cave chics eating with our hands! It seemed more like a date night place than a large group kind of place, we were a little loud and everyone sits very close together and we got some funny stares from people near by but, who cares when you start that 3rd glass of wine.... right??? :) The best dish I had that night was the rack of lamb, it was so flavorful and cooked to perfection. The mint tea was very light & refreshing, the orange rose water sprinkling was so nice! This place takes you far far away from Hawaii.
(4)Audrey S.
Food was decent but the service was by far the worst I've ever received. I literally asked three different servers TWICE each for sparkling water and no one brought it. I finally walked up to one of the three and begged her to bring me one with a lime. It finally came and was watered down with ice, no lime. (This is an hour after i arrived with a group for a bday dinner.) the female servers gave dirty looks the whole time and looked pissed when requests were made. There was one guy who tried to assist but he was very busy. I'm a server myself so my tolerance is high but this was just bad and uncalled for. I will never return to this establishment.
(1)Ryan M.
We came in on a Saturday night and it was packed. There was a birthday party in one corner having a great time and we sat in another corner amid comfortable couch and floor pillows. The décor is fun, and makes me feel like I entered a grand Bedouin tent. There are rugs on the walls which really help absorb sound so even though we were kind of sharing a living room with a big group it wasn't very loud at all. They give you towels and pour hot water on your hands over this neat-o bowl thing to kick the meal off. We opted for the prix fix menu and picked the Lamb and Salmon. The first plate out with hummus and a great varies of other spreads was tasty and eclectic. They come around with a bread basket and you can load up to take down the spreads with. The bread was good, though slightly dry, and went well with the savory items. Next came this cool meat pastry with powdered sugar and a curry like seasoning. It was a fun combo of sweet & savory and unlike anything I've had. I was a big fan for sure! The Lamb was excellent, cooked just right in a greenish sauce that was tasty and came with well flavored couscous. The Salmon almost seemed Italian style with tomato based sauce and was cooked well. Dessert was the orange funnel cake and it was tasty. Overall it is a fun unique dining experience and allows you to enjoy Moroccan cuisine without having to heed any State Department warnings.
(4)Jay O.
Service: A+ Ambiance: A+ Food: A+ Having your hands washed table side before and after the meal. Bonus points~
(5)Tom H.
Great place for an intimate meal and overall experience. It is a relatively small place but decorated in its respective cultural style with ethnic music playing in the background. The ambiance performs its duty as you completely forget you are in Kailua or Hawaii once you walk through the rather unassuming exterior and doors and into a Moroccan "tent" with Arabic music playing. 5 stars should the service had been a little more inviting and prompt but I would not say it detracted from my overall experience. The jewel of the experience would be the food and several course meal. Presented in impeccable timing were several courses of traditional food that are meant to be shared with others (except your main course, which is usually variable). From the delicicious tomato bisque to the B'stilla or saffron chicken in dough pastry, every dish had its savory spices and distinct flavor. Stick with the lamb and chicken for a burst of flavor. As always, the Moroccan touch of mint tea and communal dining is what sets this place apart. Definitely bring yourself and some company to this place for a great experience. It is BYOB so stop over by Whole Foods or another nearby liquor place to get some liquid addition to your great meal.
(4)K B.
Took the family here on a Friday night. We were in Kailua for the day and wanted to try something different for dinner. This place fit the bill. My kids enjoyed sitting on the floor, I was grateful that I didn't have to because the tables have bench and floor seating. The atmosphere is very appropriate, we felt like we could have been eating in a tent somewhere in North Africa. The food is very different. This is only the second time that I have had Moroccan food and it tasted about the same as the first. The smells are very exotic and inviting. Would give the place only 3 stars based on the taste of the food but the unique experience merits an extra star, especially for a small town in Hawaii. If you are looking for something different, this may be the place. Just realize that they are only open from 6pm to 8pm and the menu is prix fix.
(4)Megan M.
First time ever trying Moroccan food and our experience was pretty good. Husband got the house special and I got the fresh fish! We left fat and happy (:
(5)Malia D.
Casablanca... I'm a huge fan =) -intimate (The venue and setting is amazing, just look at the photos!) -traditional (Casablanca offers traditional Moroccan Cuisine at its finest!) -special (a memorable Moroccan experience that you won't find anywhere else in entire state) Heads up: BYOB venue (bring your fav wine or beer) Entertainment is not provided (booking a belly dancer is a fun touch to a special occasion like bday or anniversary!) Dress cool and comfortable (you're sitting on a low couch and and it can get a little warm in the venue when mixing wine and fun friends) Parking (give yourself 5+ minutes to locate a good parking as it is limited) germaphobe (ask for a share plate and silverware)
(5)Ariana M.
I love me a good food excursion! Originally I was in search for an Ethiopian restaurant, but that came to a dead end. Then I luckily stumbled upon Casablanca, which is Moroccan food :) I don't go to Kailua often, so trying a new place in an area I don't get to go to very often, WINNER WINNER! Everyone loves a good adventure right!? When you first enter the restaurant, you really feel like you stepped into a different world. The décor was not what I expected. Photo: yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… This place is really something else! Who would have known there was a place like this in Hawaii!! I thought my whole experience here was fun. You start your meal off by washing your hands at the table with a teapot. This is because you are expected to eat your meal with your hands. However, if you really have a problem with using your hands, they will provide you a fork upon request. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, this restaurant is BYOB. So don't forget to bring some wine for your dinning experience. THE GRUB: [[ FIX MENU $37.50 ]] -- Harrira Soup -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… The flavor of the soup was wonderful. Very yummy, I definitely tasted a lot of foreign spices that I'm not used to trying. -- Moroccan Salad -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… The salad was surprisingly great! When I think salad, I of course think lettuce with dressing. NOT HERE! Moroccan Salad is bread with five different dips you can try. Each dip is completely different from each other, they had Hummus, Tabouleh, carrots, marinated tomatoes and eggplant! Nothing on this plate was disappointing. -- B'Stilla -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… Now this dish I feel is a hit and miss. It is definitely something I have never had before, so that might be why it did not appeal to my taste buds. When you first look at the B'Stilla, it looks and smells like dessert, mainly because it's in a pastry like puff topped with sugar and cinnamon. However, when you break it in half - it's filled with saffron chicken, almonds, and egg! Very very interesting combination. Honestly wasn't a big fan of this one. -- House Special Salmon -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… The salmon was yummy :) covered with spices, onions, parsley, olive oil, lemons, and sweet peppers! Cant go wrong with this salmon. -- House Special Lamb -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… The house special lamb is also covered with spices and breading, cooked to medium YUM! The lamb was a bit gamey. This dish also comes with couscous and vegetables. Before you eat the dessert, they have you wash your hands again. However this time it's in scented water. Super cool and smells really good :) -- Chabbakia with Fresh Mint Tea -- yelp.com/biz_photos/casa… Last but not least the dessert! Since Moroccan food is completely new to me, I honestly wasn't a huge fan of the dessert. It was this crunchy sticky thing, haha. It honestly stated like honey orange chicken to me, except had no meat. It was good just not for me. The mint tea that comes with this was good. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of that :(
(4)Joy M.
This place is an absolute gem! First impression: this decor is full. out. From the tapestries that covered the walls, to the tented ceilings, atmosphere was everything. My friends and I sat ourselves at an open table in the corner- three of us on the couch, while our fourth member plopped himself on a large cushion across from us. The menu is prix fixe with your choice of entree. Normally $38, or $42 if you order the House Special. New to Moroccan cuisine? No worries. The menu comes with it's own dictionary pretty much describing any new foods you might want to try that night. I'll admit, service was a little abrupt at first, but it didn't deter from the ambiance and our server ended up being great. Before you start your meal, before your entree, and after, they come by with a kettle and basin. This is to wash your hands! Oh did I mention you'll be eating with those? This threw me off guard at first since mom always told me not to play with my food... Sorry bout it mom. Food: Dinner started with a lentil soup- perfect for the chilly weather we've been having. Seriously hit the spot, and was more like comfort food. Next, out came fresh bread and a platter of different spreads like hummus, marinated carrots, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh among a few others. The plate was wiped clean. Then out came the B'stilla- a sort of flaky pastry filled with ground meat and spices and topped with powdered sugar. Almost like a baklava. It sounds weird, but it was absolutely delicious! By then, we were already pretty full, but our entrees awaited us. My friends ordered the LAMB BROCHETTES- mouthwatering pieces of lamb, skewered and grilled with spices, LAMB TANGINE with honey- stewed lamb with a sweet sauce that was comparable to sweet and sour spareribs, and another LAMB TANGINE with eggplant. All of which were oh-so-yummy! I ordered the HOUSE SPECIAL and I'm SO happy I did! Breaded lamb covered in sauce, accompanied by couscous and mixed vegetables. Everything had so much flavor and was cooked perfectly which made for a very satisfying and enjoyable meal. We ended the night with mint tea and dessert which was like a funnel cake covered in honey. It was almost like candy! The tea was a perfect way to conclude our meal. It was sweet with just a hint of mint. Overall: It was one of the best experiences I've had dining out. From the atmosphere to anything and everything being considered finger food. This is a great place to come with a few friends or for a romantic dinner for two. I was definitely impressed by Casablanca and can't wait to come back!
(5)Cathy K.
No parking... okay there is in the front but only 4 stalls. You need to park on the street and don't park across in the parking lot there because you'll get towed. Parking is free at the meters after 6 and on weekends/ holidays.
(5)Nikki H.
I love this place!! The first time we tried to come in here, we had our son with us, and it didn't seem very kid friendly; well, especially not for a toddler, so we left. So fast forward a year and it's my birthday and we're kiddo free. YAY! We came prepared with 2 bottles of wine (It's BYOB) and we were stat at a comfortable table. It had booth seating and a few floor poufs. This was a fun dining experience with friends. There were 4 of us that night and you get two options on how to dine and then several options on what to dine on. To further explain, you either get the House Special $42 pp or the pre fixed $38 pp. I knew I wanted the lamb with eggplant, so that's what I tried. It was delicious. You're going to be eating most of this food with your hands, btw. You start with a soup and you just drink it from the bowl. Whatever we had that night, it was carrot based, was phenomenal. Next came the platter with hummus, baba ghanoush, olives and tabbouleh. While enjoying this slow paced dinner being served, you are surrounded by beautiful tapestries, ornate light fixtures, gorgeous rugs...the whole ambiance really makes this place. The outside doesn't do that, but the inside is so fun. Our main course finally arrives, and then I'm pretty stuffed I am probably leaving out some more food, but who cares, you should just come here and try this place out for yourself. I recommend this place for a fun outing with a group of friends,or as an option for a date night experience if you want to feel like you're somewhere besides Hawaii.
(5)Johnny C.
This place has only 2 servers for the entire night. The lady head server was not friendly. We kept asking to get our waters refilled. The food was average and no belly dancers on a Saturday night. They add an 18% charge in the bill no matter what. At around $50 a per person the place is another shit hole over charging for food and service.
(1)Luis R.
You all read the reviews. This place is straight up good!! You want to impress that special someone or show off to your friends, this is the place to take them. I won't bore you with another review but I did upload pics of the menu for your viewing pleasure. The only part of the meal that was not up to par was the desert but the experience and prior courses more than made up for it. Casablanca you need to revisit the desert.
(5)Kathryn H.
The first time I dined at Casablanca was in 2005. My Boyfriend's graduation dinner. Moroccan!? Are you freaking serious!? WHYYYYYYYYY!? You can imagine how happy I was to hear his younger brother shared my skepticism. Joke was on us. Our food and experience was amazing. We left ready to book our trip to Morocco, baby! Not a dine-here-e very-night place, but you are in for a real treat when you dine at Casablanca. They do not offer a wide selection but what they do offer is well executed. Great for a special occasion or fist date!
(5)Quijana B.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars for this restaurant. I'm sticking with 3, because some of the issues are mine alone. I've had Moroccan food in the past. I've never had to eat with my hands. I do understand that it is traditional, but when we were offered spoons for our main meal, the relief I felt was immense! I'd ordered lamb, and when I spotted the shank being delivered to our neighboring table, my husband told me to look away, as the shock on my face might upset the other diners. So yes, I ate my lamb shank with a spoon. If they had not offered one, I had planned to use the chopsticks I carry with me. Eating with fingers = not my preference. But I digress. The true reason for only three stars is that the food simply did not shine. At $50 per person (including tip), I want a meal that will leave me smiling for a few days. Instead I had a decent portion of ok food, served by people who had trouble telling me what was on my plate. The salad plate looked lovely, and had a nice assortment of flavor and texture. I've researched the bread that they offer with the salad, and while it is technically a flatbread, it is generally about 1 and a half inches thick. I tore it in half and used it to scoop everything off of the plate. Bstilla was interesting, but the flavors fell flat. I love food that combines sweet and savory flavors, but this dish simply offered the flavors side by side. The filling needed a better spice blend, and needed to be better incorporated. Our main dishes were similarly bland. I had the lamb with eggplant. I should have asked for couscous, but did not because I did not want to eat it without utensils. The lamb was tender, but again lacked seasoning. It was also not easy to eat a lamb shank with a spoon. Husband's dish was the salmon, in a tomato based sauce. Again, very subtle spicing, and really needed to be served with couscous to sop up the sauce. His spoon made sense, at least. And then the Chabbakia. More research tells me that this is a fried sesame cookie served during Ramadan. Instead, Casablanca lists it as a "funnel cake" and reminded me of Jalebi, an Indian dessert. I tasted no sesame, no honey, no orange blossom. Instead, I tasted oil that had gone beyond its prime. Too bad, because I love jalebi. I did love the tea. I was glad that I'd ordered my own pot during the meal, and was just as happy to see it return for dessert. The food was very much like the decor of the restaurant itself. Nice enough at the outset, but without any substance. "Ah, we will carpet the walls and gather fabric on the ceiling, in a way which clearly outlines where each room once stood. But then how to finish the job? I know! We will glue plates to the center of each draped area, and then nail the ragged ends of the fabric under a strip of moulding. People will think it is a ruffle!" translates to "Ah, we will serve simple, somewhat under seasoned food to people on beautiful, oversized platters. Tell them it is proper to eat with their fingers, and then splash them with scented water at the end so they don't notice that the smell of lamb lingers in their pores!" Full disclosure- I do not like eating with my fingers. I'm such a big fan of utensils, in fact, that I recently purchased a product designed to shield my fingers from typical finger food. I was so sorry that I did not have my Trongs with me last night! It is because of my extreme dislike for eating with my hands that I am not able to trust my own judgement for my experience. The fact that my husband agrees with me on the rating allows me to post this review honestly.. I wish this place was not a fixed price. I would happily order a container of hummus and a pot of tea. To go. And then I would pick up some pita or flat bread and eat it at home.
(3)