Day 42 - Casablanca oh Casablanca!!

I’ve been doing a little research on the famous film - Casablanca in which Rick’s Cafe was actually just a stage setting made up in Hollywood. There is no real such place here in Casablanca. What was created here is a copy, of sorts, of Rick’s Cafe that was established by an expat American in 2004. Since then the legend has grown to where today people flock to have a meal or see a show at the place. Not sure whether I can be bothered. It is however very close to where I’m staying - so who knows??
Today I went in search of local art - but didn’t get to any half decent galleries or studios or exhibitions. I started walking and ended up cabbing. Did some shopping for the first time. So I now need to start abandoning stuff to offset the extra weight.
In the end I succumbed - it was so close by and convenient - so I went for a late sitting dinner at Rick’s Cafe. It was Sunday night 9pm - pretty late for me after a couple of big days with lots of walking.
First impressions - art deco - lots of white columns - central open space with a second floor open on all four sides to the main opening below. I’m sure there’s an architectural term to explain it better. I sat on my own at a second floor table and could look down to the tables and entertainment. Lovely curved stairs to upper level. Next impression was the number of all male waiters dressed in black pants, crisp white shirts and of course they all wore the traditional Fes hats dark red with black tassels. Very swish! Service was great - I had filet Mignon medium on a bed of spinach and mushrooms. It was served with a side of additional vegetables. Wine was out of my league - so ordered a local brewed craft beer from Essaouira. Dom Perion was top of the list at 9900MAD ($1500AUD approx). And if Don reads this - the beer was definitely NOT up to your standards!! It reminded me a bit of my second brew haha.
My meal was pretty decent and I had a lovely fried pineapple inspired desert.
The entertainment was a 3 piece group female vocals and two guys on guitar and another stringed instrument very similar to a guitar - but not a guitar if you know what I mean.
So in summary - glad I did it for the bragging rights - but really not that special. The vibe was very subdued - nice for a romantic couple - but on this occasion for me going solo - fish out of water. 460MAD - the most expensive meal on my Odyssey.Read more