Final Verdict on Marakesh

[lucysdad]

Before our trip I went back and forth about planning an ADR for Marakesh. I had always wanted to eat there. I love Middle Eastern food and the restaurant is beautiful. The belly dancing sounded fun. The only problem was that the reviews were lukewarm, at best. But, how would I know for sure if I never tried it? So, we tried it.

Indeed the restaurant was beautiful, but the reviews were overly generous! I ordered the feast for a crazy $40 per person and found the food lacking in presentation, flavor, and quantity. Frankly, I have had better couscous from the Near East box at the supermarket! The lamb was greasy, the chicken skimpy. The desserts way too tough! The service was lacking in hospitality. Begging for water and mint tea refills does not correlate to fine dining. I was so disappointed, but tried to enjoy the experience. Afterall, I was at EPCOT!

Then the belly dancer appeared. Belly dancing is a very artistic cultural expression. The performance to which we were treated was more akin to a strip tease, however! From the dancer's sparkly silver high heels, to her amply enhanced top section, when she strutted across the floor, dragging her shawl behind her, I had a whole different vision of what my dining entertainment was supposed to be. I really wasn't alone in my opinion about the whole experience because, thanks to the very closely arranged tables, the folks dining next to us were having the same conversation out loud that I was having silently in my head.

After paying and heading out to EPCOT's EMH, I felt resentful that I had spent so much money on such a mediocre experience. Now, I will utter for anyone else considering an ADR at Marakesh the words of wisdom that I chose to ignore when I was planning for our trip. If you are expecting a more traditional Middle Eastern meal, you will not have it here. If you will not mind spending a lot of money, even by WDW standards, for a mediocre meal, then, by all means head for Marakesh. But, with all the good choices at World Showcase, I think you can probably make a better decision.

Frankly, given the cost of constructing that lovely building, I can't understand why they have such a poor restaurant operating in there. Perhaps when the owner's lease runs out, WDW will recruit a better representative of such a rich and flavorful culture!
Lucy's Mom

 

[DVCLiz]

I didn't think she was that ample, frankly. I've seen more from Jasmine at the Princess Breakfast.

We love this restaurant - but we are typical Americans who haven't had much of this sort of food. We really like the chicken with lemon, and my daughters like the couscous very much. And we all like the apple dessert with ice cream and honey, which we have never found tough.

 

[lucysdad]

Perhaps we were treated to different dancers? This gal made Jasmine look modest. The dessert with the feast entree was a selection of baklava type pastries. Fresh baklava is moist and tender and melts in your mouth. That is so far from what I was served.
Lucy's Mom

 

[Cool-Beans]

I've eaten there at least a dozen times and never felt uncomfortalbe with the belly dancer. And I'm the Official DIS Prude!!! I'm uncomfortable about everything!

I also like the food there very, very much. Of course, I never eat Morrocan food anywhere else and don't know enough to be a food snob about the whole thing...but it tastes pretty yummy to me. Especially the Beef Brewat Rolls...yum. The Morocco pavillion is gorgeous to begin with and eating there just makes it all the better, IMO.

After Mexico, Morocco is my favorite place to eat.

I am sorry you didn't enjoy it and hope other meals were more to your liking.

p.s. The "Enter" key is your friend.

 

[lucysdad]

You are so right, Cool-Beans, the enter key is my friend!
Lucy's Mom

 

[Aimeedyan]

I had a great exp there a few years ago, don't remember seeing anything near a strip tease and my dancer didn't look anything near what Jasmine wears at PSB! If she did, DH would demand we dined there everytime

Food was great when we went, and I have eaten at other middle eastern restaurants in other places. Course, this was about 4 years ago and I strongly feel like food varies on the chefs in the kitchen at the time.

Sorry you were disappointed =(

 

[crisi]

The Morroccan restaurant is about as authentic as any Disney restaurant. Its been "Americanized."

We've enjoyed it when we've been there. I've enjoyed the belly dancer in the past and didn't find it over the edge - though in a Islamic country I wonder how much public belly dancing happens (I alwasy laugh at the idea of "fine Morroccan wines.")

 

[SqueakyMouse]

This doesn't sound anything like what we have experienced during our numerous visits to this restaurant. The performances have always been very G-rated (almost too much so!!!) and the food excellent. And the CMs...some of the most friendly and helpful we've ever encountered! This is a favorite WDW restaurant for all of the members of my family.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

The belly dancer was never a problem in all the times I was there and I've gone with some pretty conservative people and some pretty wild people. I've had problems with poor service and odd shaped tables squeezing larger groups into small areas. The food always tasted OK.