The Moroccan restaurant in our neighborhood

My family and I went to a Moroccan restaurant in our neighborhood called Shokran. It is owned by Khalid Kamal who also has six other restaurants in Chicago. We went on a Friday night and they were very crowded. We had to wait for 1 hour for our table. We were seated in the back room with orange draping on the ceiling. Our waitress was Laura and she told us of the special that night, "Seafood Bastilla"

We immediately got warm Pita Bread with Marinated Olives and Moroccan Hot Sauce. It was spicy yet tasty!

The appetizers that we thought of ordering were, Seafood or Chicken Bastilla, Hummus, Keftka, Carrot Salad. We ordered Chicken Bastilla and Hummus. They were out of Seafood Bastilla by the time we ordered. The Hummus was delicious and was not nearly as garlicky as other name brand hummus. It was "peanut buttery" I really liked the savory and sweet Chicken Bastilla. The Owner, Khalid told us how Chicken Bastilla was made and that in Morocco it is made for special occasions such as weddings. They cook the Chicken with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Salt and Pepper, then add Ground Almond and once it is stuffed in the pastry they top it with Cinnamon and Powdered Sugar.

We next ordered entrees. The menu had Cous Cous dishes, Tangines and Grill items. We ordered Lamb Cous Cous, Moroccan Chicken Tangine and Beef Kebabs. I really liked the Beef Kebabs with Rib Eye Steak that was very spiced on the outside but soft on the inside. I liked the Cous Cous more than the Lamb - I am used to Israeli Cous Cous and this was a much smaller Cous Cous. The Chicken Tangine was really good because the Chicken was in a delicious sauce and was tender. It was also topped with thin, crisp potatoes.

Next time I go to Shokran, I would try the Seafood Bastilla, stick with the Hummus and try a couple new items like Briwats (Moroccan Egg Rolls filled with Vegetables or Shrimp).

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes trying new foods. It was food that I like with a new way of seasoning and cooking these foods.