Al Casbah

ENTERING Al Casbah restaurant feels a little like the 70s children's cartoon Mr Benn.

You step through the heavy carved black wooden door, which would be more at home in Casablanca, from a leafy old Hampstead High Street desperately trying to hang on to its quintessential Englishness.

Once inside you are transported to another world altogether far removed from cream teas and vigilant parking attendants - patterned tiles cover the walls, north African rugs cover the floors, low seats covered in brightly coloured throws and cushions surround low tables with huge circular bronze trays.

Farid Mehdid opened Al-Casbah nearly ten years ago to bring some boho chic to this corner of North West London once as renowned for its bohemia as its preservation societies.

The food is authentic Maghreb, which refers to Arabic North West Africa - specifically cuisine from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.

For starters there are a couple of Moroccan specialities: the carrots in olive oil and parsley are fantastic, but the sardines in cumin are exceptional.

The Harira chickpea and lentil soup also comes highly recommended.

But to get into the spirit of the place the mezza is a must.

Served in a large wooden platter, all the guests tuck in to the freshly made falafels, tabouleh and humus, as well as a fennel and feta salad.

There are three groups of main courses - couscous dishes, meat, fish or prawns from the grill or tagines.

I found the prospect of tagines slightly daunting, bringing back memories of a two week stay in Marrakech, where the set meal every night involved a tagine.

The first tagine is fantastic, second and third still great, but then your taste buds lose the ability to savour the subtle mix of sweetness and spice.

Once you reach double figures you have truly turned into a Brit abroad, desperate for egg and chips.

My tagine trepidation wasn't that great to stop me ordering one though, and it brought back memories of that first tagine - a truly unique and wonderful taste.

The tagine de poulet au miel was really quite spectacular.

The steam as the conical lid was lifted was a sweet inviting aroma.

The tender chicken had been baked to perfection in a sauce of prunes, almonds, sesame seeds, cinnamon and honey.

My guest was equally impressed with the less sweet, but just as flavoursome tagine of white fish seasoned with garlic and bay leaves.

The couscous is the most authentic North African in London we were told and it is believable, served with steamed vegetables it is fine and fresh.

Al Casbah is open from 6pm for dinner.

In the summer you can enjoy the English High Street, sitting outside (thanks to the smoking ban) with a Shisha pipe.

But the best fun to be had is in a large group, where you can hire the downstairs Bedouin lounge for a private meal with belly dancer.

As they say in Morocco: "Bon appetit."

Signature dishes:

• Lamb Tadine £14.90
• Chicken Tadine £13.50
• Fish Cous Cous £13.75
• Cous Cous Royale £15.90
• Vegetarian Mezze £15.90

Opening Times:

• 7 Days a week 11am - Midnight

Belly Dancer

• Friday & Saturday Can be booked for parties of 10 or above anyday of the week.