Pastilla Café – Moroccan Cuisine Delights [CLOSED]

Pastilla Café

Pastilla Café is an unique establishment that served traditional Moroccan cuisine and Mediterranean Cuisine as well. Owned by Chef Said Ibrahimi, a born Moroccan which previous stint includes Pasha at Sultan Hotel, thus there is no one else better to introduce Moroccan cuisine to us than him. As I never had Moroccan dishes before, this is going to be a unique experience.

Part of Dining Area

We started the dinner with Merguez ($9.50). Grilled homemade lamb sausage, which was tender but dense. The lamb sausage seasoning of paprika, cumin and coriander are pretty strong so it cover any gamy flavour from the lamb. Served with flat bread, we roll the flat bread with the sausage making it a sausage roll. The bell pepper sauce for dipping similar to our sambal. The bell pepper had went through the process of grilling, thus it tasted tangy with a smoky flavour but it is not spicy. It suited to my taste.

Merguez - Grilled homemade Lamb Sausage

Chicken Tajine ($14.90) are next. 1/2 small size chicken cooked in tajine with seasonal vegetables, olives and preserved lemons. Tajine is unique Morocco cookware made from clay which allow the dishes to be steam and simmer slowly. Resulting in tender and succulent chicken with unique lemon tangy flavour almost like in Greek cuisine. Served with a loaf of bread that have bigger pores, it become a sponge to absorb the delicious gravy from the dish.

Chicken Tajine

Chicken Tajine - Up Close

From two legged protein, we moved to the four legged lamb. Lamb Mechoul ($16.90). Moroccan style slow roast lamb shank, with lamb gravy. The meat on the lamb shank basically fall of the bone and melts in your mouth. One of the tastiest lamb dish I ever tried. The gravy was robust with a hint of paprika, it goes well with the basmati saffron rice and grilled vegetables. Yum Yum, two thumbs up!!

Lamb Mechoul

Moroccan style slow roast lamb shank with Gravy

Eggplant lovers will like this dish. Baked Classic Moussaka ($16.90). Layered eggplant, tomato, onion, potato and lamb topped with bechamel sauce and melted cheese. Both LD and I are not the eggplant people, however we did give this dish a try. Tasted like eggplant lasagna, with a beautiful lamb sauce.

Baked Classic Moussaka 

We rounded up our savoury dish with Seafood Paella Rice ($16.90). Baked saffron rice with sliced fish, mussels, prawns chicken and herbs. This is Chef Said version of Paella. Packs of seasoning, heat from dried chilli and pepper with beautiful seafood flavour. The rice is just so tasty, we finished up the whole plate.

Seafood Paella Rice

While we were almost filled to the brim, Chef Said served the desserts. Oum Ali ($6.50), Konafa ($6.50) with Pot of Moroccan Special House Blend Tea ($7.80). According to Chef Said, Oum Ali originated from Egypt, as Moroccan recognised desserts are biscuits to go with the tea. It has a texture of sticky date pudding, when served warm it just creamy and melts with your mouth. The sweetness level was just right for us. Two thumbs up for this dessert!

Oum Ali

Konafa (or Kunafa) originated from Turkey. Known as Middle Eastern version of cheese danish. A cheesy pastry with fragrant smell from orange blossom water rose water. It is slightly too sweet and cheesy for our liking. To accompany the desserts was Pot of Moroccan Special House Blend Tea. It was thick, fragrant but as per normal Middle Eastern tea, sugar was added. Maybe I would ask them not to add sugar next time.

Konafa

Moroccan Special House Blend Tea

For other unique drink, you can try their Homemade Moroccan Lemonade ($4.50). For extra twang of freshness, mint leaf was added.

Homemade Moroccan Lemonade

Pastilla Café has a homely set-up and fully decorated with Moroccan / Middle Eastern style. There is Moroccan music to serenade you while you are having your meal here. Located in 334 Changi Road, it is directly opposite SPC, before Telok Kurau Road. There is no parking outside the shop, however you can park at Lorong Marican, a small road after SPC (Behind Zac Butchery) or the service lane after Telok Kurau road.

Part of Dining Area

Overall, we had a memorable dining experience in trying Moroccan cuisine. Not only we discover new flavours, we also discover the uniqueness of Moroccan cuisine. We will definitely return for more in the future. Saha wa'afiab !! Cheers!!

During this Ramadan Period, Pastilla Cafe have Ramadan Special Set Menu for Iftar. Please check their Facebook page for the details. Thank you very much to Chef Said Ibrahimi and Sara for the tasting invitation.

Food & Drink: 8.25/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80

Pastilla Café

334 Changi Road

Singapore 419808

T: +65 6440 0849

F: https://www.facebook.com/pastillacafe

OH:

Tue – Fri: 17.00 – 22.00

Sat & Sun: 17.00 – 22.30