DAR TAJINE

THE ONLY AUTHENTIC MOROCCAN FOOD IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Dar Tajine is the only place in the southern half of Florida serving true home cooked Moroccan food.

There have been maybe a half dozen Miami/South Beach places -- pretending to be Moroccan but really being nightclubs with lousy, overpriced food -- that have come and gone.

Dar Tajine is the real deal. Worth the nearly two hours it takes us to drive from Miami to a strip mall near Sunrise and University in Plantation.

Our meal today was under $50 including a tip north of 20%. It was an authentic Moroccan feast of:

Hot mint tea. A tiny bit sweet, but tasted just like what I've had on the road to Ouarzazate.

Lentil soup with tomatoes, garlic, onion -- perfect, less buttery than Indian dal makhani -- tasted like a stop at a Berber place in the High Atlas.

Olives, harissa and garlic sauce to go with think Moroccan bread plus salad -- good as anything I've had at La Mamounia.

Chicken Bastilla. Baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with chicken strips, roasted almonds, eggs and herbs -- covered in sugar and cinnamon. Like boneless bird dessert. First time I've had it with chicken instead of pigeon. Took me back to the poolside courtyard restaurants of the norther medina in Marrakech.

Chicken tagine -- a half bird with olives, preserved lemon, broth and a separate yellow rice. Reminded me of my first meal on a terrace watching the sun set over Jemaa el-Fnaa. Missing the French-influenced fries and carrots to soak up the heavenly broth -- but a spectacular and generous half bird for under $13.

A selection of authentic desserts featuring honey and nuts. Old school flavor like the hole in the wall I always visit when in the old souks of Essaouira.

Arabic coffee -- much more fragrant than Turkish coffee, with notes of cardamom and other spices. A generous portion, similar to what I've gotten at an oasis on the way to Aït Benhaddou.

Five stars all the way. Generous portions. Great ambiance.

Wheelchair accessible. Plenty of regular height tables. Tasteful gift shop with Moroccan products at the entrance.

Dar Tajine, 8281 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation FL 33322  954-306-2447

https://dar-tajine.com

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 9

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

Harsh weather can make Route Nationale 9 impassable down around the beautiful kasbahs (clay medieval fortress) to Ourzazate, the gateway to the valley of river Draa and Sahara Desert. 

The pass lies between the great Marrakech Plains and the gateway of the Sahara Desert.

At the summit there are shops selling minerals.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 8

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. 

The most famous road through the High Atlas leads from the vast plains surrounding the royal city of Marrakech to the pass, which is quite often blocked by snow in the winter.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 7

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

Tichka means "it’s difficult" and so it means literally a difficult path, because it has so many switchbacks. 

The road has more than 100 turns.

Drive with your headlights on at all times as it is easier for oncoming vehicles to see you.  

On the climb, the road is quite good, and some parts have recently been upgraded.

Interestingly, the road is upgraded in chunks, so you may alternate between the old road and newly sealed road.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 6

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

The experience of using this road is very impressive. 

The road to reach the pass, with 60 miles of very steep climbing, was built as a military highway in 1936 by the French. 

Today, Route Nationale 9 links the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazate.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 5

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

Near the pass is Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, probably the most celebrated, filmed and photographed kasbah in Morocco. 

Featured in numerous films (including Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky and Gladiator), it is the best-preserved kasbah in Morocco and has 10 families still inhabiting it

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 4

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

This road is usually open all year, but from November to March, snow can often fall on the pass, and can be closed when the access is not cleared of snow.

In winter, avalanches and heavy snowfalls can sometimes block some sections of the road and can be extremely dangerous in winter due to frequent patches of ice.

Conditions can change quickly and be harsh, particularly during winter.

From November to March, snow can often fall on the pass, but it can be warm all year round in the strong sun.

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 3

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

Travelers are encouraged to take this journey of history, wonder and natural amazement. The road is the only gateway to the South of Morocco and its desert, so it can get quite busy. 

If you are travelling south, it’s recommended to take this road in the morning to avoid any crowds. 

The thoroughfare is not just made of tourists, there are lots of trucks.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 2

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

The pass is traversed by Route Nationale 9.

At the summit visitors will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. 

As the road begins to make its way down to Ouarzazate, travelers will be able to marvel at pre-Sahara regions that lie dry and motionless and the silent peaks of the great Atlas Mountains. 

The views, the villages and the time spent on the Tizi n’ Tichka Pass are a truly unique experience.

--DangerousRoads.org

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -- part 1

Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Central Morocco

Tizi n'Tichka (called Col du Tichka in French) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.260m (7,410ft) above the sea level.

It is located in the High Atlas mountains, a mountain range in central Morocco in Northern Africa. 

Tizi n’Tichka means “difficult mountain pasture” in Berber and you’ll see why. 

--DangerousRoads.org