Okay, I have been pining to check out Tajine for a long time. I have always been a fan of Moroccan cuisine with all their hearty flavors and the multitude of aromatic spices. The liberal use of lamb doesn’t hurt either. They recently moved to their new digs on Polk, but I have heard nothing but glowing reviews of this place and their incredible cook. Finally had time to make my way out there and I came out a pretty happy man (pretty full, too).

Quick food lesson for y’all. Tajine is both the name of the dish and the actual ceramic apparatus used to cook the dish in. The device has two parts, consisting of a cone-like top and a bottom dish. The cone top returns the condensation in a cycle, like a terrarium, to keep the meat and vegetables tender and moist inside. Tajine dishes are usually slow cooked at low temperatures with tons of delicious aromatic vegetables and spices. Food lesson over! The restaurant had a very simple interior, nothing too fancy, nothing out of the ordinary. Whatever, I wanted some Moroccan food badly at this point. Get the mint tea – if it’s free (at least it was for me). I ended up ordering the eponymous lamb dish and vegetable couscous.

Unfortunately, I neglected to take a picture of the homemade bread, but you’ll have to believe me when I say it was delicious. Crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside. Simply great. The lamb tajine, which seems to be the signature dish, was excellent. The lamb was extremely tender and the stewed prunes soaked up all of the seasonings from the braising sauce. Wish the portion was a bit larger, but some of the best prepared lamb I’ve ever had.

The vegetable couscous was good, but nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the variety of vegetables, particularly the turnips, but I didn’t come away too impressed. The couscous was cooked well, with a light and airy body.

Of course, being the fool I was I neglected to have cash on hand, so I ended up running across the street to hit up some ATM, which sucked hard. Bring your skrilla. Oh and if you want some spirits, bring your own because they don’t serve alcohol. Would recommend to anyone looking for a decently priced Moroccan dish. It’s no Aziza, but definitely has a much homier and friendlier feel.

Tajine
1338 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
415-440-1718
Cash only. No booze.