On a gentle March evening, it's just after 9 PM when the valet at Comptoir Darna opens our car door. We hand over the keys, unaware that the night ahead will be long... to our great delight!
Greeted with a broad smile by the hostess, she leads us to our table. We chose to dine on the ground floor, though the establishment has two covered terraces depending on the season, and an upper floor, which we'll talk about later. It's now time to decide between various international and Moroccan dishes on offer at Comptoir Darna. For starters, we go for an assortment of briouates with three flavors and a terracotta dish of goat cheese with olive oil and fleur de sel; for the main, a royal couscous and chicken supreme sautéed in artisanal harissa; for dessert, we look forward to the treats we ordered.
Soft Arabo-Andalusian music, played by the big orchestra of Comptoir Darna, soothes our ears while we take the time to soak in the dim, cozy atmosphere of the place. Enchanted by the tunes, we even splurge on the establishment's official CD, "Khamsa." There's no time to continue our observations as a delightful scent approaches us, notably that of our starters. From the first bites, the verdict is clear: an absolute delight that makes us eager to taste what comes next...
Let me dance
During the interlude between our dishes, the atmosphere heats up with the appearance of belly dancers, set to music that makes you want to get up and dance. The show, both aesthetic and graceful, amplifies the sense of travel that took hold of us from the moment we stepped inside. The sweet aromas of the couscous reach our noses.
The first forkfuls confirm our initial impression, the seasoning is just perfect, delighting our palate. We don't regret our choice, even though we really wanted to try the famous lamb mechoui from Comptoir Darna. Given how the evening has unfolded, we're convinced we'll be back very soon. Being food enthusiasts, we opt for a caramel sponge cake for dessert. A sweet note that beautifully concludes our dinner.
Our evening continues upstairs. Known for the quality of its bartender and his creations, Comptoir Darna has recently launched three new signature cocktails. All are made with local ingredients and have an Oriental twist, including Ras-El-Hanout, Atlas verbena, or rose water. A true success in both taste and visuals, thanks to the subtle smoke that wafts from them, an avant-garde concept that appeals. Captivated by the atmosphere, we lose track of time. After the dancers, the Gnawas take to the stage (see below), before the ambiance intensifies when the DJ takes over the decks...
Thrilled by our evening, we realize that its reputation as a tourist spot is unfounded, and are pleased to see that despite the years, Comptoir Darna remains a distinct establishment in Marrakech. Now it's your turn to discover it...
The Gnawa experience!
In a few days, Comptoir Darna will launch a new Gnawa show. From Sunday to Thursday, they will present a different show each night, influenced by a musical style - blues, reggae, jazz - with a Moroccan twist. Don't miss the daily dance performances, held twice each evening, and the performances on Fridays and Saturdays.