Aziza Morrocan - SF

[BIM]

This restaurant - Aziza - was recommended as a 'splurge' spot in the city that would be easy to hit from Marin, since it is on Geary not far from Park Presidio. Mike and I tried it the other night and, in honor of the hound who made the recco, here is a small review.

The service was slow. The portions were small. It was very expensive. And I would go back again in a heartbeat because...the food was truly memorable. Everything we had was perfectly cooked and the flavors and spices were exotic and delicious. BIlled as Cal-Morrocan, the menu was fun and I would like to try more items.

We ordered the lentil soup (flavored with medjool date) and the lamb sausage, then a couscous with chicken, prawn and lamb. These came with a rich spicy harissa which - like everything else - I wish there had been more of. A couple at the next table had ordered the basteeya - a savory pie of chicken and almond in a filo crust, with powdered sugar on it. When we asked what it was, they insisted we try a little and THAT's what I'm ordering next time we go. I'll also order the cannellini beans again - a little ceramic dish of beans in a tomato sauce flavored with the Morrocan spice mix called ras el hanout, then with sheep's milk feta melted over the top and some breadcrumbs. You should go try these things.

We even had a couple of the fancy cocktails - slow in coming, ten bucks a pop. But, as with the food, the unique subtle flavors won me over.

Was pretty busy on a weeknight. Anybody else like this place?

[sugartoof]

This is one of those places where my experience didn't match any of the reviews or hype. I thought the presentation and silly portions were really the only innovations.

Did you happen to order the mint tea though? It was the only standout for me, and as I noted in another thread, I've read they changed how they serve it.

[artemis]

though i am a big aziza fan, i am sad to report they have changed their tea supplier. that fabulous mint tea is no longer available.

[Robert Lauriston]

A couple of reports I read gave me the impression they switched from mint tea to a tisane of fresh mint. No?

[artemis]

last time i was there, about a month ago, i asked for the tea i'd had previously: the kind in the clear teapot with a dense column of fresh mint leaves in the center (i think that's a tisane?). the waitress said that they had changed vendors, the tea i wanted was no longer available, and directed me to the list of teas on the beverage menu. no mint.
http://aziza-sf.com/tea_leaves.html

OTOH, it was also apparent that she had never tried any of the teas on the menu so it's possible that the mint is there still, unlisted. i certainly hope so.

[Robert Lauriston]

Here's a report from December of mint tisane in a glass teapot:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/46702...

The menu on the Web site says "tea leaves and herbs" but lists only teas (a small but very sophisticated selection). They use fresh mint in many dishes, so unless they threw out the teapots they could make mint tisane.

Back in the belly-dancing days they had very sweet mint tea poured from on high.

[Carrie 218]

BTW, "classic" Moroccan mint tea is nothing other than leafy green tea in which fresh mint is added during brewing and then heavily sweetened. It is relatively easy to make at home.

[sugartoof]

Yes, that's the version I'm raving about, served in a tall metal pot with very sweet mint and other goodness they had thrown in.

[sugartoof]

I believed the original version was house made with fresh mint, as well.
Hard to believe it came from a supplier as a tea, but if so where can I find it?

It's a bad sign when restaurants change the things customers like for inferior versions.

[susancinsf]

Unfortunately, I don't think $10 for a cocktail is expensive by SF standards....but the ones at Aziza are definitely worth it!

Was checking out the Aziza menu the other day online and it looked like there were a few new things to try; hope to get there again soon...

Thanks for the report back, I am adding a link.

[susancinsf]

well, I thought I added a link. Will try one more time.

-----
Aziza
5800 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121

[ChowFun_derek]

They used to be located in a Morrocan type.. free standing (albeit under a different name) building in San Rafael on the west side of 101 opposite the Civic Center...even then they were a destination restaurant..they have gotten even more adventurous with their offerings....a S.F. gem in the Richmond!

[Robert Lauriston]

I wouldn't call it "very expensive" by San Francisco standards. The online menu lists the prices as lentil soup $7, lamb sausage $9, cannellini $8, couscous $20. That's at the low end among San Francisco restaurants with comparable quality of ingredients and cooking.

[Carrie 218]

It is highly acclaimed and well-loved -- and the chef's dinner for $50 a person is the most recommended way to get a lot of food for the money; it includes the soup, a few appetizers, the b'stilla, an entree, and a dessert. For $50, it ends up being almost too much food for the money and I am always taking home left-overs.

[gordon wing]

Here's a link to an Aziza search - almost 250 search results.....
Yes, Aziza has quite the following on this board.

http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bq...