AZIZA
A stunning Moroccan restaurant with a Michelin star.
People have their own opinions on the Michelin star system. For the record, in the 2012 guide, San Francisco has three 2 star restaurants and sixteen 1 star restaurants.
Aziza, with its Moroccan chef/owner, Mourad Lahlou, was recently awarded a Michelin star for the third year running. Even in France, Moroccan restaurants with Michelin stars are quite rare.
So, on a recent visit to Aziza we experienced a serie of delectable dishes, with wonderful ingredient combinations and all perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is relaxed, cozy to romantic , in a décor that is fairly minimalist and decidedly North African.
You can start with an innovative cocktail from a very serious selection, which is nicely listed around the principle fruit/vegetable ingredient such as pear/cilantro/tarragon/etcetera. Then we tasted our way through several dishes. The match of ingredients was intriguing and we adored our starters; parsnips with Asian pear and oats and a dish of shrimp boudin with endive, grapefruit and squid ink. We stayed on the fish track, with Branzino, which came with spinach and marble potato and a sort of risotto like dish consisting of diced scallops and Himalayan truffle.
From the desserts we shared another little creation that emphasized the talent of Mourad Lahlou in mixing ingredients – chocolat cremeux with star anise, cocoa nib ice cream and blackcurrants.
A selection of gorgeous little sweets/pastries came with the perfect espresso coffee. An esoteric wine list is geared to complement the delicate spicy Moroccan influence of the menu and we chose a white burgundy from de Montille. Though the Gurrutxaga from the Basque country, would probably have even better complemented the choice of dishes.
Aziza (meaning precious) offers a tasting menu at 75$. You can also squeeze into the bar for some of these exotic cocktails and to snack on a selection of starters.
Wonderful food, where organic and locally produced ingredients are prominently featured. It is good to see the attention to sustainability and sourcing, mixed with a touch of genius in the kitchen.
AZIZA
5800 Geary boulevard (@ 22nd avenue)
(415) 752-2222
Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesday) 5:30pm - 10pm
