Afous

Eat & Drink Moorish Spanish Wine

Jackie McMillan
August 7, 2013

After Tajine tucked in a difficult corner of Republic 2; and Souk in the City on the windy expanse of St Margarets, I’m hoping it’s third time lucky for personable owner Omar Majdi. Rather than austere modernity, this time he’s gone for bobbing boats and the gently lapping waves of Middle Harbour. Omar has also widened his native Moroccan to take in a little Spanish: “I said to myself, let’s open another door.” So that’s how I found myself wondering what the poor folk were doing, as I sipped Turkey Flat Rose ($35/bottle) and tucked into a generous plate of Moorish Sardines ($14) on the edge of The Spit Bridge. B’Stilla ($14.50), those tasty filo fingers stuffed with almond chicken and dipped in fragrant orange sauce, have thankfully travelled with him. You’ll also find a unique Grilled Scallops ($15.90) dish served with charred corn salsa and prawn oil. You can sit on tapas, but if you do, you’ll miss the highlight – a steaming Sweet Lamb Tajine ($27.90). Nestled amongst almonds, prunes and boiled egg, there’s lamb so tender you’ll use your fork to split it over a plate of Cous Cous ($5.90) with Harissa ($4.90) to heat things up. I actually pinched this recipe to try out at home.