(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) When Fatima Hariki arrived at Dubai in 2002, she noticed the absence of Moroccan restaurants in the emirate.
Living alone - as her husband passed away some time ago and her two sons reside abroad - Hariki thought of creating a place that attracts guests over a variety of homemade Moroccan dishes. This was the start of Moroccan Taste, a small cosy restaurant framed in its simple warm-coloured Moroccan design that gives a homely feel to it.
The second branch of the restaurant, opened in 2012, and located in a corner of La Plage Residence at Jumeirah Beach Road. With about 10 tables neatly aligned and Moroccan sweets on display from behind a glass, the restaurant was still empty at 6:30pm. "People start coming by Iftar time," said Hariki, 60-year-old mother of two and grandmother of six.
Her niece Hanan and nephews have been helping her manage the restaurant that is run by 14 staff members for 11 years. The family-run business has been attracting families and has felt like a home for Hariki who spends her entire day from 8am to 12am daily at the restaurant.
"My guests are like my children. They sometimes come to me for advice on their weddings and years late, I watch their children grow," said Hariki, noting that her goodies are all freshly baked each day from the restaurant's oven. Dishes of Couscous, Plum Tagine, and peas and artichoke tagine are among her signature dishes.
By 7pm, visitors of different nationalities started flocking in and soon, tables were full. Newcomers who didn't have a reservation had to grab a seat outside until a table was empty again. Visitors broke their fast over Ramadan favorites served on the table that included dates, Chebakia (Moroccan sesame cookies), Harira soup made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and lamb and orange juice with carrot and cinnamon.
The buffet was lined up with Briwat (triangular pasteris stuffed with seafood, meat or vegetables), Mesmenn or Raghif (similar to paratha bread served plain or stuff with minced beef or onions), Baghrir (Moroccan pancakes), and stuff Moroccan bread with vegetables.
"The appetizers are served first, and 30 minutes later we put out with main courses so people don't stuff themselves at once," joked Hariki who broke her own fast only over dates and a glass of water.
Among the guests was Moroccan Saeeda who came with her Irish husband Brian Kelly and 14-month-old son Talal. "I have known Saeeda for five years now, even before she gets married," said Hariki.
Saeeda, who's been married for two years, said "I ordered food from here during my Henna party."
She added, "I loved the food and atmosphere here, even when I don't visit, I still order food." Her husband Brian said his favorite dishes are Couscous and Tagine before the couple reached out to select their favorite bits of the main courses and 10 different types of salads that were now served.
Non-Moroccan visitors would smile and ask staff members to help them select their dishes. People then turned to Moroccan Ramadan sweet like Almond Briwat (sweet triangular dessert) and Morrocan Sellou or Sfouf (toasted sesame seeds, roasted almonds and flour roasted until brown) with the signature Moroccan tea.
"The best thing I love about Ramadan is Tarawih prayers and also the sense of togetherness," said Hariki. "I feel happy when people come and get together at the restaurant and leave satisfied."
Walking out by 8:30pm, it was clear that with love, simplicity and passion are keys to any successful story.
Sherouk Zakaria "Born and raised in UAE, Sherouk Zakaria is a Senior Correspondent at Khaleej Times. Joined since May 2016, she covers Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), special events and humanitarian issues. Her choice of journalism as a career stems from her passion of telling people's stories and writing to inspire or make a difference. In her free time, she's an occasional theater and film actress. Sherouk received her BA in Mass Communications from the American University in Sharjah in 2013. Before joining Khaleej Times, she was a senior lifestyle/entertainment editor for a magazine in Dubai."
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