Cafe Mogador New York

Cafe Mogador (Moroccan / East Village / $$)
101 Saint Marks Pl (Between 1st Avenue and Avenue A)
(212) 677-2226
www.cafemogador.com

With no pretentions, just inexpensive, hit-the-spot Moroccan eats, this insanely popular East Villager has provided good bang for the buck since 1983; despite flighty service and nothing-fancy looks, it’s an everyday place for hip locals. Considered a pioneer of Moroccan restaurants in NYC, Café Mogador is a delectable haven at any time of the year. Opened in 1983, Café Mogador is a family owned and operated restaurant that throughout the decades became a landmark in the heart of the East Village. The family restaurant ambiance and décor act to further establish the locale as a destination not to be missed.

In order to understand the nuances of Café Mogador’s menu, an introduction to Moroccan food must be presented. Couscous, Morroco’s national dish, is fluffy grains of semolins steamed over a highly flavored bouillon of meat and vegetables. Café Mogador’s couscous is served with turnips, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, and pumpkin, garnished with chick peas, honey simmered onions and raisins. You can add extra broth and harissa (hot sauce). Tagines are long simmered stews of meat, poultry or lamb combined with fruit or vegetable. Bastilla is layers of crispy pastry leaves with shredded chicken lemon flavored eggs, almonds & cinnamon. Merguez is homemade spicy beef sausage, grilled over charcoal. Try the hummus, tabouli, or marinated beets ($5 each) to start. Couscous, grilled, and tangine platters range from $12 to $18. Recommendations include the chicken couscous ($15); falafel plate with salad & tahini ($10); skewered, marinated merguez grilled over charcoal and served with mixed vegetables and basmati rice ($14); lamb tangine, long simmered stew seasoned with a traditional blend of herbs and spices, served with basmati rice or couscous and topped with charmoulla (spicy green sauce) ($17). For an even more interesting experience, the restaurant offers unique takes on traditional brunch favorites. Try the Moroccan benedict, which comes with spicy tomato & green pepper sauce ($12 with salad and drink); the Mogador burger ($10); or the grilled curry chicken with fresh herbs, cucumber, watercress & garlic yogurt on Panini focaccia ($9).

One of the reasons that Café Mogador is so popular with hipsters is that although popular, walk-ins are never an issue. The restaurant is spacious enough to accommodate most parties at any point in the day without a wait. In addition, the restaurant offers outdoor seating, weather-permitting. For a truly unique experience and a taste of Moroccan at its best, Café Mogador should be your destination.

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