Berbari

Berbari is a country house, maison d'hote, restaurant, retreat. . . nestled in a quiet corner of the Moroccan countryside, not far from the town of Assilah. It fits perfectly into its surroundings - so much so that the storks have made it their annual residence!

For me Berbari is about paths and doorways, interesting corners and quiet spaces.

The organic bamboo work as you come through the entrance is almost sculptural

Doorways entice you to open them and explore.

Moroccan-blue paths begged to be followed.

And at the end of a path is often a corner that you know is the perfect place to read your book while settling into a slower pace of life.

Decorative details are often in unexpected spaces,

while every bedroom is different, individual and inviting.

The salon looks out over the countryside - even if you are not staying overnight, phone ahead and make a reservation for lunch - we did and it was delicious!

A little vintage piano detail.

At the end of the day - the hammock calls! 

And as the sunsets over the Berbari . . . 

the evening light throws up shadows that add a little mystery to the tranquility.

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PORT XIV

If you find yourself hungry and in Assilah - and possibly, dare I say it . . .  a little tagine and couscous-ed out (it does happen from time to time you know!) take a stroll down to the end of the seafront, just beyond the main cluster of restaurants and you will find the newest kid on the block : Port XIV.

Port XIV is a welcome breath of fresh and slightly more contemporary air, to the food scene in Assilah - from its decor to approach of sourcing local and seasonal food, not too mention its own house olive oil and a rather cool bar and cocktail list, well . . . lets just say I could become a regular!

And then there is the tapenade (made from owner Karims own olives) - I could quite happily snack on that while sipping a little local rose for the evening

The menu ranges from hearty hamburgers,

to the more chi-chi crab salad

made with fresh crabs from the local harbour - of course!

Owner Karim grew up in Assilah and went to school in Tangiers before completing his studies in the uk and europe - it was a dream of his to come back to Assilah and open a restuarant, and he's done it!
A lot of the ingredients come from Karims family farm - honey, olive oil, vegetable, all local and organic

honey and olive oil - from tree to table

the lemons are plucked off his trees . . .

and the next thing they are daintily wrapped in muslin and sitting prettily on your plate to squeeze over some fresh fish

so take the scenic route

stroll down the seafront

and enjoy the sunset

at

Port XIV

see you there

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