Flavours of Morocco
Tara Kitchen by New Yorkbased chef Aneesa Waheed offers tagines, salads and lamb cigars
When you are in the mood for a new cuisine in Hyderabad, try Tara Kitchen, part of a chain owned by the cityborn Chef Aneesa Waheed, in New York.
She shares, “The journey of Tara Kitchen begins with a love story. I met my husband, Muntasim, in Marrakech. We left for New York and took the love and knowledge of Morocco’s rich cuisine and culture. We opened our first Tara Kitchen in Schenectady, NY, and expanded it to four more locations in New York and one in New Jersey. We also started a Moroccan sauce line. Tara Kitchen in Hyderabad is the brand’s sixth and the first outlet out of NY.”
Aneesa decided to open Tara in Hyderabad as this is her hometown and she wanted to showcase her NYbased brand here. Why Moroccan cuisine? “I lived in Morocco and spent a lot of time there. I am a selftaught chef and entrepreneur. This has also led me to author Easy Moroccan Cookbook: Quick and Simple Mediterranean Recipes,” she says.
In Hyderabad, Tara Kitchen serves Moroccan cuisine with tagines, salads and delectable starters. Aneesa says Tara Kitchen is all about bold flavours, fresh ingredients,homemade sauces and dips.
“Moroccan cuisine’s worldrenowned blend of North African, Mediterranean, Arab and Persian culinary roots makes for an exciting expansion of the Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food space in India. I hope to transport diners here to Morocco with decor reflecting its vibrant colours and the desertmountainsea setting of Morocco.”
I first try the Mediterranean rice bowl with grilled chicken, white sauce, hot sauce, fattoush salad and warm pita; it is a meal in itself. Then comes the Mediterranean spread with pickled veggies and hummus. Portions are generous and even a starter can fill you up because it comes as a big portion. Try the lamb cigars (a version of minced meat samosa but in cigar shape) and the lamb with spinach (bakkoula).
Then comes the tagineslamb with parsley chermoula and chickpeas. This is a very flavourful dish that is low on oil. It is served with artisanal bread, so you can mop up the gravy. Aneesa also suggests I try the stuffed peppers with rice and minced lamb, which is delicious.
Low spice and less oil/fat makes the food at Tara a musttry. It is a good introduction to Moroccan cuisine.
To cater to all food palates, they will soon be introducing local favourites with a bit of Indian Chinese and Indian signature dishes.
Tara Kitchen is on Road no 36, Jubilee Hills.
Table for two ₹1,000.