Baida

Baida dishes traditional Moroccan cuisine from its South Grand storefront. Featuring family recipes, owners Abder and Assia Meskine give patrons an authentic taste of their homeland through classic dishes. The menu features a variety of couscous preparations such a vegetable, chicken, lamb or beef, which are enlivened with a side of broth. Baida also serves several different tajine dishes, all presented in the traditional clay cooking vessel. Appetizers, such as loubia, a spiced white bean stew, and bastilla, a sweet and savory chicken pie, serve as delicious starters to the meal. However, the m’lwee steals the show. This rich meat pie is nothing short of spectacular -- layers of flaky phyllo dough wrapped around the most succulent kefta, or ground beef, one could imagine. The kefta is seasoned with garlic, cumin and coriander and is slow cooked so that the spices infuse the meat’s juices. This rich, meaty mixture is encased in the buttery phyllo pouch, which is pan fried to give it a subtle nuttiness. One could end the meal satisfied here, but the briwat, a pastry of almond and honey similar to baklava, caps off the meal with a tasty sweet touch. Check it out for lunch or dinner for a taste of Casablanca.