Dinner by candle light...very romantic. Dinner by candle light with friends...very fun! I love Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but don't get our there often during the Winter months. The commute is long and the cold weather honestly just deters me from straying too far from home.
Friends of mine, Elas, were playing a show at St. Balmain. We decided to make a night of it and ventured out early for dinner. I discovered Cafe Mogador during my first year in NYC. I frequented their East Village location often for both brunch and dinner. Recently, they opened a spot in Williamsburg.
Their menu is jam packed with Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine that is unique and also traditional. They have a set menu with favorites like Cous-Cous, Salads and Platters, Tagines, Bastilla and Grilled Meats. They also have a number of unique entrees to try if you want to stray from the traditional route.
I can not go to Mogador without starting with the Hummus Plate. The freshly baked pita is always warm when it hits the table.
Mer got the Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken. The vegetables are all organic and the meats are free-range so everything is fresh and vibrant.
For the more indecisive person, the Mixed Platter is a great option. You get a little bit of everything - hummus, eggplant, tabouli, tahini & arabic salad.
The Tagines are a hearty and warm option on a colder night. I gobbled up the Chicken Tagine Casablanca. It is served with rice and the meat is so slowly stewed it falls off the bone.
After dinner we hurried over to St. Balmain and Joey Diamond's to hear Elas perform. Elas are an indie folk sister duo originally from Brazil. Their music is full of harmony and toe-tapping melodies. They are planning on releasing their first EP this summer.
St. Balmain is currently only open for breakfast and lunch but will resume dinner hours come warmer weather. Also, don't forgot to check out Joey Diamond's for an excellent nightcap.
Bon Apetit.
Naturally Ginger
