My Marrakesh

Marrakesh: and a tale of meetings, departures and Peacock Pavilions

Being the tiniest of tiny hoteliers in Marrakesh is a special business. I always wanted Peacock Pavilions to be the kind of place where people would think back to when they stayed with us and it would evoke a feeling of something that was, well, warm and good, like a friend's exotic home, with stylish rooms and happy food.  That years later they would start off occasional sentences with..........You remember when we were at Peacock Pavilions and.......  That their time here in the olive grove would be imprinted somehow, tangible...like one of those little stars in that silken pouch. Like something you could touch, feel and remember.  

 

 

Every single day is a work in progress at Peacock Pavilions.  Neither architect husband Chris nor I have any background in this business but we try to make up for it with care, attention and quirky detail. It's hard to explain what it feels like when I learn of people's experiences staying with us. When I see their pictures and I read their words, it wells up in me, like a shy kind of pleasure.  

 

 

 

The images of Peacock Pavilions above are by photographer Amanda Gilligan of this lovely blog.  Amanda recently co-led with Susannah Conway and the bejeweled Jen Altman a photography retreat at our place.  They have a forthcoming Polaroid book, called Instant Love.  I so loved reading Jen's post  (with a Moroccan recipe!) about Morocco and Peacock Pavilions on her blog. And I was more than touched to read retreat participant Helen's memories of Peacock Pavilions on her blog.  So so sweet.  And do see this Moroccan recipe that the beauteous Heidi Swanson of 101cookbooks fame came up with. Easy and delicious!

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PS I was interviewed in Indigare:-)  If you feel like it, take a hop over and see!

PPS Check out this Huffington Post Marrakesh style round up (Merci Huffington Post!) :-) 

PPPS Along with my very favorite Moroccan chef who has this amazing cookbook out,  I recently wrapped a Moroccan entertainment feature for Food & Wine Magazine.  It'll be on the magazine stands down the road.  Many thanks to their whole crew, including the adorable writer Gisela Williams, incredible photographer Lisa Linder, and talented stylist Susie Theodorou.  

PPPPS  Gorgeous new stock of Moroccan wedding blankets and Moroccan Beni Ouarain carpets in Red Thread Souk.  Take a look here and grab them while they're hot!

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Marrakesh: and a tale of New Year's at Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel

Ah, it was New Year's eve at Peacock Pavilions and so we got to cooking.

There was Danish cheese with dried apricot in a bed of organic honey.

And a whole salmon that barely fit into the oven. {And foie gras with onion confit, risotto with shitake mushrooms, roasted leeks, fennel salad, and chocolate fondant.}

I set the table in the Peacock Pavilions dining tent. { Don't the Moroccan tea glasses on hammered silver trays look so pretty?}

A can of golden spray paint came in handy when stenciling the table with Moroccan-inspired stencils from Royal Design Studio. There were golden votives and golden placemats.  White roses went into black and gold Moroccan tea tins.

Girls in sparkly outfits were there.

As were handsome boys who spoke and laughed in several languages.......

And even best friends who had come from across the ocean.....

We ate....

 and ate......

and listened to and told stories....

until it was midnight. 

Happy 2012, Lovelies........... 

Marrakesh: and a tale of a holiday breakfast

Here's hoping your holidays are filled with simple but really good things.  

On Christmas morning in Marrakesh we made fruit salad and served it in pretty dishes.

There was Coffee cake and baked French toast, made the night before and popped in the oven in the morning. Doled out with a sterling silver server from Iran

Freshly squeezed juice -- a mix of orange and mandarin -- in Moroccan tea glasses. And whipped cream for the coffee cake and french toast.

Merry Christmas from Marrakesh:-)

PS I won first place in the photography contest at the international development firm where I work for a photo I took in Mali. Such a nice Christmas present for me:-)  

Cairo's La Bodega: a tale of glamorous Egyptian dining and decor

I should have known as soon I saw them,  that La Bodega was unlike any other restaurant in Cairo.

She might have said, Expect glamour, as I brushed by her.  

And, of course, she was right.....  

Located in an old Cairo mansion, with all its fine fittings and fireplaces, La Bodego showed off remnants of a more romantic era.

Through golden doorways there was seating under crystal moons.......  

and a bar under a crystal waterfall.

All the beautiful people were there.  With a kiss kiss, they said hello.

And hung up their purses.

And (gasp) had an illicit smoke.

And then they gossiped Cairo gossip. 

The waiters could hardly keep up with the orders for chestnut risotto, crusted salmon, and homemade papardelle.

Or perhaps they were taking intrigue-filled notes culled from the whispered tales around them.

No mater, it was a shimmering night....

But don't take my word for it.  Next time you're in Cairo, come for a glamorous evening of your very own....

La Bodego, Apperitivo & Bistro

157, 26th of July Streat
Baehler's Mansions Building
Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
info@labodegaegypt.com
www.labodegaegypt.com
+20 2735 0543/6761 or +20 10 523 2923
Reservations by phone only.