Rick's Café Casablanca

Infobox Restaurant
name = Rick's Café Casablanca


image_width = 300px
image_caption = Entrence to Rick's Café
established =March 2004
current-owner =The Usual Suspects S.A.
head-chef =
food-type =
dress-code =
rating =
street-address = 248, Boulevard Sour Jdid
city = Casablanca
state =
zip =
country = Morocco
seating-capacity =
reservations =[phone]
website = [http://www.rickscafe.ma/ Official site]

Rick’s Café Casablanca is a restaurant, bar and café located in the city of Casablanca, Morocco.Opened March 1, 2004 [cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/05/06/casablanca.ricks/ |title=CNN World | publisher= |work= |date=May 7, 2004] , the place was designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the movie classic "Casablanca".Set in an old courtyard-style mansion built against the walls of the Old Medina of Casablanca, the restaurant – piano bar is filled with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film: curved arches, a sculpted bar, balconies, balustrades as well as beaded and stencilled brass lighting and plants that cast luminous shadows on white walls. There is an authentic 1930’s Pleyel piano and "As Time Goes By" is a common request to the in-house pianist.

Owned by The Usual Suspects company, this Casablanca landmark is usually described as the real Rick’s Café, finally bringing the legendary “Gin Joint” of cinema fame to life in today’s Casablanca.

Architecture and décor

Rick’s Café Casablanca was developed by Kathy Kriger, a former American diplomat in Morocco. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Moroccan grand mansion with a central courtyard or a Riad, built in 1930. The land placement allows for three facades: a distinctive streetfront entrance with heavy wooden doors that depict that of the film; a port-oriented façade that looks to the Atlantic; and a narrow dead-end access which was the former main entrance but is now the service entrance.

Because of the age of the structure and proximity to the sea, the mansion was totally restored and rennovated. American architect/designer Bill Willis [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DE1338F93AA15752C0A9629C8B63 the |title=The New York Times | publisher= |work=Style |date=January 29, 2004] conceived the decorative and architectural details which enhanced the existing arches and balustrades to evoke the film “Casablanca.” Intricate antique brass floor and table lamps with metal shades strung with beads give off dramatic lighting effects, and on each table rests a specially designed brass lamp with beaded shade designed by Bill Willis. Carved and inlaid wooden screens, tables and chairs from Syria add decorative touches reminiscent of the furniture in the film.

In addition to the faithful rendering of the decoration in "Casablanca", Rick’s Café today is full of tile and wood work representing Morocco’s craft industry. Fireplaces are of carved marble or painted tadelakt with intricate zellige tile patterns accenting the fireplaces and the risers of the central stairway. Tadelakt in muted colors cover walls throughout the restaurant, and the floors are set in hand made terra cotta tile.

Food

Food selections at Rick’s Café takes advantage of Morocco’s abundance in seafood. The menu offers a wide selection of fish from the traditional Sole Meuniere to John Dory crusted with black pepper, white wine and thyme. Steaks, foie gras, goat cheese salad with fresh figs and an American Crab Louis are among the dinner selections. Rick’s Cheesecake and brownies figure on the dessert menu, along with more exotic presentations highlighting local fresh fruit. At lunch popular favorites [cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/morocco/casablanca/where-to-eat/1000555692 |title=Lonely Planet |work=Travel Guide ] such as Chili Con Carne and American Hamburgers are available along with “the catch of the day” and a Moroccan tagine. The rooftop terrace barbecue, “The Pergola” offers a range of items from mixed grill to roasted game hen and swordfish steak.

Music

Issam Chabaa plays piano nightly Tuesday through Sunday, a repertoire of standards reminiscent of the 40’s and 50’s, including classic French, Spanish and Brazilian songs along with American favorites such as "Summertime", "The Lady is a Tramp", "Blue Moon" and the inevitable "As Time Goes By" (several times a night). Sunday night is programmed for a Jam session where musicians passing through town [cite web|url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1518034,00.html#article_continue |title="Travels with my horn" | publisher=guardian.co.uk |work=Arts |date=Friday July 1, 2005] , and local amateurs join Issam for jazz improvisation. Between sets and at lunch a soundtrack of compiled standards and big band sounds provides background music.

Reservations

Reservations are recommended for dinner. The restaurant is open for lunch from 12:00 noon until 3pm; for dinner from 6:30pm until 1am. Rick’s Café is open 7 days a week including the month of Ramadan and holidays.

References

* The New York Times. Travel Advisory [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE6D6173DF931A15751C0A9629C8B63&scp=1&sq=casablanca+kriger&st=nyt "A Casablanca Landmark Is Ready for Its Debut"] Feb 22, 2004
* Reuters. [http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINL2947765720080229 "Gin joint of film fame lives on in Casablanca"] Feb 29, 2008
* ABC TV. "Foreign Correspondent" [http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2006/s1673247.htm Postcard series 15 Episode 39]
* Frommer's. Travel guide [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/casablanca/D65830.html "Frommer's review"] June 16, 2008
* The Independent. Travel [http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/casablanca-morocco-447477.html "48 Hours In - Casablanca, Morocco"] Saturday, 5 May 2007
* BBC NEWS. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3906437.stm World News] Tuesday, 20 July 2004
* Bloomberg.com Muse Arts. Review [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a8NHoW6VO2Mw&refer=home "Rick's Cafe Lures Bogart Fans With Steaks in Casablanca"] June 16, 2008