It is entirely possible to check-in to La Mamounia and never venture out of its doors. The lobby and pool are home to a total of five separate bars in varying style of Moorish and Arab decadence tapered with Italian and French influences. Filling the gastronomic void is L' Italien, by far the dressiest of the hotel's restaurants that includes worthy but more casual Le Francais and Le Marocain. Open only for dinner and with dress code of formal attire that's strictly enforced, a glass-enclosed eatery feels more moody boudoir than airy Italian dining room. A dramatic red-theme décor with tiled entryway and hand carved ceiling is dotted with Moroccan lanterns and tumbled marble detailing that's difficult to distinguish in the dim lighting. Tabletop offering their own shaded lamps or chunky candles with secret alcoves arranged in private dining spaces preferred by VIPs and celebrity guests divide the restaurant.
The Food
The Don of Amalfi cooking operates the second eatery, L’Italien, by chef Alfonso Iaccarino who has presided over the 2-star Michelin kitchen and cooking school at Don Alfonso 1890 Restaurant and Hotel near Sorrento. The eatery offers a foodie alternative to the more touristy restaurants of the medina and more nightclub-minded venues of the nearby New City fueled by an on-site organic vegetable garden and old school cookery. An ala carte menu of appetizers includes lobster fritters with crispy greens, reinvented eggplant parmigiana and buffalo mozzarella souffle with basil tomato sauce. Pasta revelations like chitarrini with zucchini cream, ravioli with artichoke puree and green asparagus risotto are nothing short of the best in all of Africa. Main course is a more conservative fair of lamb loin with tomato ravioli, farm chicken with cherry tomatos and bacon-wrapped monk-fish with eggplant caviar.
Last Word
Don’t miss dessert course from the on site pastry chef with Sicilian shortbreads, tiramisu and baba bouchon from Sorrento all topped with homemade ice creams and gelato.
