Three decades ago, Kamal Keroles decided to make his restaurant, Babouch, a unique destination for traditional Moroccan cuisine served in an evocative setting. Located in San Pedro, California, Babouch remains a popular choice for large parties, as well as more intimate special occasions. Nothing about the plain façade suggests the delights that await diners inside. Mr. Keroles uses the element of surprise to seduce first-time diners into feeling that entering Babouch Moroccan Restaurant brings them into a different time and place. Unlike the restaurant’s bland exterior, the interior of Babouch looks like a sultan’s palace of opulent tapestries, pillows, and rugs in a riot of rich colors and patterns framed by Moorish arches. Low upholstered sofas with plush pillows skim the floor and invite diners to relax and luxuriate. Music and belly dancers entertain diners throughout the evening at Babouch Restaurant. Those curious about what the future holds can have one of the dancers give them a complimentary tarot card reading. Tableside basin service to cleanse hands before and after eating is Babouch Restaurant’s way to encourage diners to eat Moroccan-style, using the fingers or small pieces of bread to pick up bites of food. Ever the hospitable host, Mr. Keroles shows attention to every comfort, and waiters will provide utensils to diners who do not wish to eat with their hands. Soft drinks and a selection of wines are available by the glass at Babouch, and the restaurant’s bar offers some signature cocktails, as well as arak, a highly alcoholic, aniseed-flavored spirit similar to Greek ouzo or Italian sambuca. On the Babouch Restaurant menu, meat-lovers will be satisfied by the chicken, pork, lamb, beef, and rabbit entrees, either grilled on skewers or stewed with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. Plenty of meat-free options also exist at Babouch Restaurant, including vegetarian versions of such Mediterranean favorites as bastilla and couscous, hummus, dolma, and spanakopita, as well as salads of marinated eggplant, carrot, and tomato. Chabakia, honey-soaked sesame biscuits, paired with fragrant and refreshing mint tea, finish the meal. Babouch Restaurant, a melting pot of Middle Eastern and North African sights, sounds, scents, and tastes, expresses the essence of Morocco. Mr. Keroles delivers a truly transformative dining experience for which Babouch has won awards. For a magic carpet ride to Moroccan memories, spend an exotic evening at Babouch Moroccan Restaurant, 810 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, California, 90731. Visit www.babouchrestaurant.com for more information.
