Marrakesh: and a tale of New Year's at Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel

Ah, it was New Year's eve at Peacock Pavilions and so we got to cooking.

There was Danish cheese with dried apricot in a bed of organic honey.

And a whole salmon that barely fit into the oven. {And foie gras with onion confit, risotto with shitake mushrooms, roasted leeks, fennel salad, and chocolate fondant.}

I set the table in the Peacock Pavilions dining tent. { Don't the Moroccan tea glasses on hammered silver trays look so pretty?}

A can of golden spray paint came in handy when stenciling the table with Moroccan-inspired stencils from Royal Design Studio. There were golden votives and golden placemats.  White roses went into black and gold Moroccan tea tins.

Girls in sparkly outfits were there.

As were handsome boys who spoke and laughed in several languages.......

And even best friends who had come from across the ocean.....

We ate....

 and ate......

and listened to and told stories....

until it was midnight. 

Happy 2012, Lovelies........... 

Marrakesh: and a tale of a holiday breakfast

Here's hoping your holidays are filled with simple but really good things.  

On Christmas morning in Marrakesh we made fruit salad and served it in pretty dishes.

There was Coffee cake and baked French toast, made the night before and popped in the oven in the morning. Doled out with a sterling silver server from Iran

Freshly squeezed juice -- a mix of orange and mandarin -- in Moroccan tea glasses. And whipped cream for the coffee cake and french toast.

Merry Christmas from Marrakesh:-)

PS I won first place in the photography contest at the international development firm where I work for a photo I took in Mali. Such a nice Christmas present for me:-)  

Cairo's La Bodega: a tale of glamorous Egyptian dining and decor

I should have known as soon I saw them,  that La Bodega was unlike any other restaurant in Cairo.

She might have said, Expect glamour, as I brushed by her.  

And, of course, she was right.....  

Located in an old Cairo mansion, with all its fine fittings and fireplaces, La Bodego showed off remnants of a more romantic era.

Through golden doorways there was seating under crystal moons.......  

and a bar under a crystal waterfall.

All the beautiful people were there.  With a kiss kiss, they said hello.

And hung up their purses.

And (gasp) had an illicit smoke.

And then they gossiped Cairo gossip. 

The waiters could hardly keep up with the orders for chestnut risotto, crusted salmon, and homemade papardelle.

Or perhaps they were taking intrigue-filled notes culled from the whispered tales around them.

No mater, it was a shimmering night....

But don't take my word for it.  Next time you're in Cairo, come for a glamorous evening of your very own....

La Bodego, Apperitivo & Bistro

157, 26th of July Streat
Baehler's Mansions Building
Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
info@labodegaegypt.com
www.labodegaegypt.com
+20 2735 0543/6761 or +20 10 523 2923
Reservations by phone only.

Marrakesh: and a tale of Peacock Pavilion cocktails

They had come from near, they had come from far to Peacock Pavilions  in Marrakech.  One a mixologist, the other a circus ring leader.  Let us help you, they said, let us help you drink.   Drink more, drink better.

Oh Yes, I said.  Yes please {My head woozy in anticipation.}

And so the two visiting minxes put their heads together -- one with golden curls and the other with raven locks -- and they concocted cockails.  {And even illustrated them.}

And then it began.  The measuring...

The pouring...

The shaking, the straining....

The stirring...

 {Did I mention the steeping?}

Now serving at Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel in Marrakech............

Peacock Prohibition Tea

and Peacock Petals

Hope to see you soon over a cocktail (and have a beautiful weekend):-)