Mourad Awards

Mourad Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Moroccan native chef Mourad Lahlou made a name for himself in San Francisco with Aziza (since shuttered), then followed up on that success with Mourad. The space is ultra-modern, with oversize industrial air vents, massive natural wood installations, earth tones, metal and cement. A large bar greets diners and is vibrant with activity. Weekdays, the space is a premier choice for a business lunch.

About the food & drinks: The SoMa restaurant is classified as Moroccan, or at least Moroccan-inspired, but the tasting menu is classic California locavore cuisine. Everything one expects from a tasting menu is presented, from an amuse to a variety of mignardises at the close. (The pricing is $135, plus $85 for beverage pairings.) Each course demonstrates distinguished flavor, creativity and presentation. If you prefer to order à la carte, your options may range from a jidori egg capped with caviar to scallop with sunchoke, red cabbage and dill to braised beef with parsnip, cranberry, carrot and farro. Mourad also offers Moroccan family-style dining options to share, including lamb shoulder, snapper and whole duck, but know that a 45-minute wait is required. The "honey & almond" dessert, with its array of tastes and textures, is a popular dessert for good reason. The wine list is modest in size, but cocktails are creative takes on standards and well-executed.