“This glamorous outpost at the base of the PacBell building introduces the unique soul of chef/owner Mourad Lahlou’s eponymous restaurant,” state Michelin inspectors of the one-Michelin-starred eatery in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood.
Indeed, Lahlou, who came stateside to study economics at San Francisco State University, has created a cult following for his smart Moroccan fare for nearly 20 years in the Bay Area. (Fans should be pumped for the upcoming opening of his latest restaurant, Amara, where Lahlou shifts gears from Moroccan to Moorish-Mexican.)
This weekend, Lahlou is bringing his cuisine to Chefs Club in New York City, serving up big fin squid with green tomato jam and Moroccan milk; basteeya with verjus, crème fraîche and Asian pear; and short rib with pumpkin, baharat, black tea and cous cous. (Tickets are available for purchase here.)
When Lahlou isn’t in one of his many kitchens, here’s where you can find him eating off duty.
What was the last thing you ate?
Dried Moroccan figs.
It's your day off. What do you order for breakfast and where? (Outside of your own restaurants.)
Jane on Larkin. A cortado and a plain croissant.
Controversial question: Do you believe in brunch?
I believe in breakfast all day.
What is your 2:00 a.m. food order or favorite spot?
If it’s 1:00 a.m., Nopa for the broccoli. If it’s 2:00 a.m., Z&Y. Explosive chicken and tofu soup.
What is your local coffee shop?
Saint Franks on Polk.
Where do you go when you travel to your favorite city?
NYC, Okonomi in Brooklyn.
What is the "laziest" meal you put together for yourself this past week?
Shakshouka. Everything in the fridge, chopped up, olive oil and tomato sauce and eggs and in a cast-iron.
What is your favorite snack food?
Deglet noor dates.
What is your guilty pleasure?
There are no guilty pleasures, you should never feel guilty about what makes you happy.
Hero image courtesy of Mourad Lahlou Facebook page.
