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Situated on
Crawford Street, in the heart of London's Marylebone, Occo is a
contemporary Moroccan bar and kitchen full of North African charm.
Opened in spring 2005, Occo quickly became a staple part of
Marylebone life and a perfect spot to meet up for deliciously
more-ish food, great cocktails and friendly, laid back atmosphere. In
October, Occo launched Shisha Lounge, a subterranean lounge bar, an
ideal spot for after work drinks.
The food at
Occo is contemporary Moroccan. Head Chef Ahmed Hamidi was born into a
catering family in Morocco and learned to cook from his Berber
mother. He brings this authenticity with him to Occo, adding a
contemporary twist to his new autumn menu. Starters include Saffron
and almond chicken briouat with a sweet potato and fig chutney and
Warm chermoula marinated seafood salad. For main courses, choose
from: Spice marinated beef fillet with sweet red onion, raisins,
walnuts and almonds, with roast pumpkin and prunes, Sauté
chermoula marinated fillet of monkfish, served with a broad bean
zaalouk, lemon and black olives, topped with minted yoghurt or
Harissa marinated sea bream fillet served with a beetroot, parsnip
and red onion salad and paprika oil. To finish, the dessert menu
features Date, nuts and rosewater cornets, with chocolate mousse and
crème fraiche; Poached pear and cactus fruit and aniseed, with
a dark chocolate sauce as well as traditional sweet Moroccan
pastries. At lunchtime, Occo has a well-priced express lunch menu and
there is also a Moroccan brunch menu at weekends.
Inspired by
Moroccan culture, the interior at Occo is contemporary, with subtle
touches drawing back to owner Sam Ahmimed's Moroccan heritage. Occo
has a variety of different settings in which to enjoy the food and
drink on offer with the patterns, colours, lighting and fabrics all
following along a North African theme. The lights on the ground floor
are suspended from a central point on the ceiling as if to draw a
line of a traditional Moroccan tent while the bar is handmade with
inlaid cow bone tiles. Geometric patterns repeat throughout, on bar
stools, tables and dividing screens, often resembling patterns
traditionally seen in Morocco. To the right of the bar is the
Boudoir, an intimate red room with low seating made in hebba fabric,
traditionally used for Moroccan djellabas. This fabric is used on
seating throughout.
Down the
stairs is the Conservatory, a tranquil space for eating and
entertaining inspired by Moroccan courtyards and painted in pale
blues and creams. Around the corner is the Shisha Lounge, with its
trademark rich purples and browns. Low seating, scattered cushions
and atmospheric tea lights make it a laid back space, perfect to
enjoy a cocktail or two from Occo's new drinks list or relax with a
shisha pipe.
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