07 Jun Mama Morocco, Balaclava

Mama Morocco is relatively new to the Carlisle Street food scene, and the restaurant has a small, cosy feel to it, accentuated by striking, authentic light fixtures. It’s a narrow building, and walking past the kitchen down the side of the restaurant will bring you to a charming little courtyard surrounded by greenery and timber lattices, illuminated by string lights.

We take a seat at a large communal table set in a semi-private room. Equipped with adjustable lighting, the mood is set. Galit Ben-David tells us of a few childhood memories that have inspired her journey, such as watching her grandmother lovingly hand-rolling couscous dough for the family meal. It’s the same love and passion for food and people that she hopes comes through when customers dine at Mama Morocco.

Midnight in Marrakesh – Appleton Estate rum, Amaro Montenegro, lemon juice, fig jam syrup, Mr Bitters fig cinnamon, egg white, soda ($17)

Matbucha (tomato, garlic, green chilli) Carrot (garlic, spices, lemon) Beetroot (spices, pepper, vinegar) Broad beans (lemon juice, Casablanca spices) Silverbeet w lemon, Baba ganoush, Tachina

Fried Eggplant dressed in lemon, cumin, salt

The night kicks off with a large selection of dips and starters. Freshly grilled pita is beautifully fluffy, pairing perfectly with the wonderfully smokey baba ganouj, silverbeet, cumin-flavoured beetroot, and tangy matbucha, a zingy tomato-based dip with garlic and green chilli. Slices of grilled eggplant come with a sourish spin. Many of the recipes have beeen passed down through the generations and the genuine, homely flavours really shine through here.

Moroccan Fish in thick, spicy tomato andred capsicum sauce, spices, coriander, garlic, fresh lemon

We could just keep going with the dips, especially that baba ganouj, but there’s more to explore. The moroccan fish has an addictively intense tomato-ey punch with a hint of spiciness, and the soft pieces of tomato partners neatly with the texture of the fish that just flakes away from the skin with a gentle touch.

Chicken with apricots – Chicken thigh, drumsticks, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, soft apricots, almonds

Oxtail with green olives

Vegetarian Stuffed Potatoes filled with rice, carrot, celery, sauce of tomatoes and spices, coriander and parsley

Roasted almond and sultana couscous

The apricot chicken is predictably sweet, but not overly so, and the generous sprinkling of toasted almond slivers contrasts with the soft fruit and chicken meat. The ox tail stew is similarly tender, cooked until the cartilage is meltingly gelatinous. Vegetarian stuffed potatoes are filled with a comforting mixture of soft rice, carrots and celery, and found sitting a sauce of tomatoes, spices, coriander and parsley. Everything is enjoyed with cous cous, including a version with sultanas and roasted almonds. Yum.

Sfenj – Moroccan donuts drizzled with honey

We finish with piping hot sfenj – Moroccan doughnuts that are crispy on the outside, but surprisingly light and fluffy on the inside. They are enjoyed with drizzles of honey, and sips of sugar-sweetened mint tea. It the perfect conclusion to a lovely meal.

For a Moroccan meal prepared with genuine warmth and love, you can’t go past Mama Morocco

Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to Mama Morocco, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own and not influenced by them in any way

Mama Morocco
302 Carlisle St
Balaclava, VIC, 3183
(03) 9939 0107
mamamorocco.com.au