FINE FARE - In the Mood for Food

dining adventures of a food fantatic and dessert devotee in Singapore


Marrakesh, Clarke Quay

mixed platter ($26)


Marrakesh, a Moroccan Lounge bar, is one of the many new lifestyle bars at the revitalised Clarke Quay. This is one of Harry's bar, so you can expect the no-surprises, no-frills drinks menu (though some typical drinks have been "exotified" with the word "Moroccan" added to their names), and some variation of jazz music (here's it's supposedly "chill grooves").

Overall, what really sets Marrakesh apart are:

  • Exotic finger food - Interesting variety of middle eastern tapas. Try the mixed platter. It has something for everyone, such as tasty beef, lamb, and chicken shish kabab, pita bread, and salad. Served with different dips - hummus, moutabel, etc.
  • Swings - Swig and swing! Get yourself a table with the swing seats (only 3 available). Seats 2 comfortably. Has it been more than a decade since you last sat on a swing? Here's a chance to get in touch with your inner-child.

A quick review on how Marrakesh compares to some of the other themed-drinking holes at Clarke Quay:

  • The Clinic - Ambience is...well...cold and clinical. A fun experience though, with seats resembling hospital beds and tables segregated with white curtain separators. Drinks are served from test tubes, infusion drip packets and syringes. Downside? Limited seats outside, bar area inside looks drab and boring. Also, we kept expecting to see staff/patrons/anyone who looked like they could be McSteamy or McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy... but guess this place is more like ER... as in...errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... no George Clooney in sight.
  • Highlander Bar & Restaurant - Traditional antler chandeliers, contemporary stills of Scotland, and staff dressed in tartan kilts, this Scottish-themed bar has a warm and inviting feel. The wood-panelled bar features an extensive range of more than 200 whiskies by the glass ($10 - $70 per shot). Highlander serves authentic Scottish cuisine such as Haggis (that's $15 for boiled sheeps' innards - heart, lung, liver - minced with onions, oatmeal and spices encased in sheeps' intestines). Downside? Besides whisky, the drinks menu is unimaginative and limited. They also brew their own beer, but this hasn't received favourable reviews from my friends.
  • Kandi Bar - A tribute to Hed Kandi, Kandi Bar is supposed to be the chill-out, grown-up extension to the Ministry of Sound. Good for pre-clubbing drinks if you're a fan of Hed Kandi music, though the seating arrangement doesn't seem conducive for big groups. Downside? Decor is bright, loud, and orange...Is it only me or does it remind you of Patpong too?



Marrakesh – Moroccan Lounge & Bar
3D, #01-01 River Valley Road
Clarke Quay

Tel: 6338 7331

Hours:
5.00 pm to 1.00am (Sunday to Thursday)
5.00pm till 2.00am (Friday, Saturday & eve of public holiday)

The Chocolate Factory - Service with a Scowl

Here's an update to the Sept 2006 Chocolate Factory review.

Questions about Service:

  • Why do the proprietors have perma-frowns on their faces?
    Isn't chocolate supposed to make people happy?

  • If the cafe has a "no photos" policy, why is this not communicated upfront?
    A growing community of nice people (family, friends, aquaintances) have been told off rather rudely by the proprietor and his wife that they "do not like people to take photos of the food". [Complimentary pair of perma-frowns included]

  • How come the "no photos" policy did not apply to 2 American models who were allowed to take photos of the shop, cakes and chocolates?
    The trigger happy models, shiny camera in hand, snapped away directly in front of the proprietress and the staff. Well... at least the perma-frown remained a consistent feature.




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