Moroccan-themed Bar Marrakech opens in Derby following closure of La Tasca
A NEW Moroccan-themed bar has opened in the city following the closure of Spanish restaurant La Tasca.
Bar Marrakech in Friar Gate is planning to extend its operations to serving African and Mediterranean cuisine once kitchen alterations are completed.
Co-owner Steve Rouse, who is also owner of Bar 5, said the place had a very relaxed atmosphere.
Mr Rouse said: "We're currently altering the kitchens to accommodate our new menu, which will take another few weeks.
Dyson DC50i - Bagless upright vacuum cleaner - BALL Technology -...
View detailsThisi is Dyson's smallest upright vacuum cleaner with the performance of a full size upright machine. The DC50i has Dyson's most advanced cleaner head technology and 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones.
Terms: LIMITED STOCK OFFER. FREE delivery to most UK postcodes - Next working day dispatch.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
"But the Moroccan-themed bar is now open and we have live music on Friday and Saturday nights from around 7.30, including piano and saxophone jazz. So far, people have been very positive about the bar.
"If you like the sound of it then pop in and see. We're really looking forward to the restaurant side of things opening up."
Bar Marrakech offers an extensive range of cocktails and Mr Rouse said he hoped the bar reflected the contemporary nature of the North African city.
Bar manager Jessica Hassall said the bar was the perfect place to come and relax and had both traditional Moroccan decor and modern features.
She said: "The interior looks really lovely. They've done it up amazingly well, it's a great place to come and relax and enjoy a drink."
And she claimed no other venue in Derby offered such a wide range of cocktails.
She said: "We offer about 50 cocktails, lots of different sorts of mojitos, daiquiris and champagne cocktails."
A spokesperson for La Tasca, which had occupied the building until September, said the branch had closed because the new owners had not found the franchise economically viable.
There are 42 branches of La Tasca in the UK, the nearest one now being in Nottingham.
The first opened its doors in 1993 in Manchester city centre.
Andy Darlington, a judge at the Derby Food and Drink Awards, said La Tasca had some lovely dishes on offer.
"But I really look forward to trying what Bar Marrakech has to offer when its kitchen is ready," he added.
"I'm a huge fan of Moroccan food and I'm sure the rest of Derby will embrace this new restaurant."
Comments
by Antony_Rol
Sunday, November 25 2012, 3:43PM
“Actually Spondonram wrong on two counts -
1. I'm not even 40 years old
2. I have visited Marrakech 5 times, it's one of my favourite places in the world, (after Cuba)
I wish the owners all the best but I won't be partaking, I would rather have the genuine article”
by SpondonRam1
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:52PM
“I love reading the negative comments, especially from people who've probably not ventured any further than an off-licence for the last 40 years.”
by MrFox
Saturday, November 24 2012, 10:03PM
“What a load of pessimistic comments from the "nun bothered" bunch. I hope Steve Rouse has the greatest of success with the bar. I remember when Rick opened his "Bar Americaine" in Casablanca, he had similar derision poured on his venture, but it really took off – you must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply when you're opening a bar with North African connections. When I call in I'm going to order cous cous and chips and sell some postcards. I hope there will be little bags of sand on sale so we can re-live the magic that was Wilson, Kepple and Betty. At least we can be assured that this Moroccan bar won't have those dodgy stand-up toilets that are so popular in Morrocco….and we'll feel safe in the knowledge that the ice cubes are good quality British ice cubes.
I have a feeling that Steve Rouse wrote "The Big Friendly Giant" along with presenting "Tales of the Unexpected" on TV. Good on yer Steve. I'll definitely be cathing the Marakech Express. Øظا سعÙدا”
by dave12548
Saturday, November 24 2012, 12:02PM
“Co-owner Steve Rouse and bar manager Jessica Hassall.....native Moroccan's to boot, very authentic!”
by Antony_Rol
Saturday, November 24 2012, 11:45AM
“Piano and sax jazz
Mojito's and daiquiris
How very Marrakech
To be truly authentic, shouldn't a Morrocan cocktail bar be serving non alcoholic drinks?
I'll give it 6 months, but wouldn't put money on which closes first, this or the Cuban themed bar round the corner
Neither of which offer any reflection on the fabulous countries they aim to mimic”
by make_redgreen
Saturday, November 24 2012, 9:05AM
“Bar Marrakech offers an extensive range of cocktails and Mr Rouse said he hoped the bar reflected the contemporary nature of the North African city.
Can we stop pretending. :(”