Saturday 18 August 2007

a very fine lunch

I have had my friends ask me why I have chosen to remain in Morocco after Q leaves, especially given my distaste for heat. In addition to the attributes I have listed in previous posts there is this..

I am sitting in my Souissi “office” (not to be confused with my office in the new city at the Majestic, or my office in Agdal, located at PAUL’s) which is in fact on the ground floor just off the food court. I love writing; it’s such a portable profession. Don’t think food court in the sense of most malls. I have shopped in the posh Prudential Mall in Boston, the equally posh Neiman Marcus mall in San Francisco, and the more family oriented mall in Glendale, California. I can honestly say I have never been to a mall on any other continent, or in any other country. The food courts in the above malls are not places I would eat.

That cannot be said about the Food Court in the Mega Mall of Souissi. I have been working there a good deal this week to escape the heat while Q is out of town. Also I very much enjoy the people watching opportunities afforded. I have been making the rounds of the various establishments for lunch, all have been satisfactory, and I found excellent coffee. But on Thursday I tried the Kiotori. Q and I had noted the chaps about in their Hakamas trousers and kimonos of black, looking quite un-Japanese but very handsome. We are both lovers of Sushi but considering the refrigeration processes or lack of them, we have seen in Morocco, we thought we best pass. I thought on this day I would have a look at the menu, as the restaurant is very inviting in appearance. The young man at the desk, who spoke English, greeted me with the menu and told me the specialties. After ordering I began to say where I was sitting, “Oh that is not necessary. We know where you are sitting. We have been seeing you.” I leave you to interpret that remark. I went back to work.

A short time later this same chap comes to my “office” and says, “Now we don’t want to disturb your office, so I will set up a table for you here.” At which point he pulled over one of the smaller tables, removed all chairs from it but one and set out a place setting, glasses, et al. Then proceeded to bring me a delicious lunch.

Toasted shrimp, vegetables, rice and fresh ginger served on a wooden Edo Fune, with chopsticks. Followed with cafĂ©’ au lait that was superb. Total cost? 130 dirhams (16 usd, 8 pounds). There did seem to be some amazement at the neighboring tables caused by my expert handling of the chopsticks (years at the neighborhood Chinese/Japanese restaurants) in several cities.

Back to work for me. Ciao.

34 comments:

Pig in the Kitchen said...

Wow, celebrity treatment! Do you think they know you write a blog and were being especially kind?!
Pigx

James Higham said...

That's as maybe, Lady M and you've given a lovely guided tour but still haven't actually answered the question. :)

lady macleod said...

piggy

I certainly try to get that around, but I don't think anyone down here knows that. It is in English as well. I am trying to find someone to translate it to French for me, then what service will I get? I think for now it's just my sparkling personality and ability to mime in two languages.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

graf von

weeeellll it's one of those multiple answer answers :-)

thank you for coming by.

nutmeg said...

How lucky you are. My office is smack in the middle of Barbieville complete with apartment house and camper and a few tonka trucks of late!

lady macleod said...

nutmeg

I had that apartment, but it was the Little Ponies neighborhood. We lived in a Barbie free zone. Trust me, when your office there gets moved to Teenagerville, then University drive, and finally Empty Nest Home, you will miss it.

thank you for coming by.

Morocco Time said...

Oooh, I love Kitotori - I ate at both of them (Rabat and Casa), great food!

lady macleod said...

morocco time

I SO totally agree! and no less so for the surprise.

thank you for coming by.

Omega Mum said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. And that's without actually eating the meal. Virtual life on a plate.

scarlettscion said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lady macleod said...

omega mum

the good news is, I am certain that the virtual plate is calorie free!

thank you for coming by.

Maryam in Marrakesh said...

I have sat in Paul's in Agdal so many times over so many years. I do miss it here in Marrakech. But rumor is that they are opening one here soon.

lady macleod said...

maryam in marrakesh

We love Paul's, brilliant pastries, wonderful lunch, and yummy brunch. In addition, for a cyper geek such as myself they now have wireless internet. I do hope for you that they do indeed open in Marrakesh.

thank you for coming by.

Anonymous said...

So you stay in Morroco for the sushi? I would do the same - do you have a spare room? I could easily join you next week...

lady macleod said...

mutleythedog

Actually mutley I do have a spare room, but at present my daughter is in it, and she does not like to share. perhaps another time?

thank you for coming by.

@themill said...

I see why you want to stay.
And are you going to set up a blog page dedicated to all your much deserved plaudits? A sort of cyber space trophy cabinet.

@themill said...

BTW - what are all these little :)
:) thingys I keep seeing on the end of comments?

KarenO said...

I'm seriously thinking of changing careers - teaching isn't quite as portable as writing! But then again I'm not that good a writer, thank goodness practice brings you closer to perfection :)

lady macleod said...

@themill

what a fabulous idea! I could have perhaps one of the fancy curio cabinets from Second Life..

:-) is a smile. Here's one for you:-)

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

KarenO

I hope you are right about the practice thought... you will never know about the writing unless you try. I do think blogging a good way to get your chops, especially if you keep the discipline of writing most every day. It is fabulous, but will wear on your brain if you don't keep putting new information in there!

thank you for coming by.

jmb said...

Lady Mac, just visiting in between activities. This is an illustration, one of many actually, of why, despite the heat, you are remaining in Morocco a little longer. I guess some places just make one want to linger on and on and on....
regards
jmb

Pamela T. said...

Sounds like a wonderful vantage point to experience a rich culture, wonderful little luxuries and a colorful community -- just a few of the necessary ingredients to let the muse visit and encourage your writing.

Maude Lynn said...

Need an office mate?

Lavender said...

What brilliant service, a bit of royal treatment even! What a memorable lunch...Im visiting all the blogs in the TopBlogMag blogroll today, which is how Ive found yours. A most enjoyable blog, I look forward to my next visit. Cheers!

lady macleod said...

lavender

Welcome, I am pleased to have you visit. I am glad you enjoyed your visit and I shall look forward to your return.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

mama zen

yeahsureyoubetcha'

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

pj

So true, and let's hope you are right about the muse. I do like to write in places like a bar, a restaurant, the MM provides a perfect setting for me.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

jmb

I'm so pleased you had time to drop by. That's true, it is indeed one of the reasons for staying a bit longer. I don't feel "done" yet.

thank you for coming by.

heatherf said...

Besides putting Kitotori on my dining out agenda, which is normally focused on Agdal, should I also be adding some of your work to my reading agenda? What are you actually writing, besides blogs, as you loll around the cafes of Rabat?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I identify with you in that how you are treated at an eatery is very important: bringing the table to your "office" - wow!

Kim said...

I would imagine that your pale skin and lovely red hair, not to mention those legs, are what drew the young men's attention. I doubt you are easy to miss, even in a crowd in Morocco.

lady macleod said...

heatherf

I have been writing short stories, but I am now working on two novels. I will hope to return from Canada in October with news that there is something else for you to read! thank you for asking, I appreciate the intent.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

welshcakes

I know! I loved it.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

kaycle

you are too kind! I do stand out a bit I admit.

thank you for coming by.