• Tweet
•    

• Tweet
•    

Zerza is not only the name of a piece of Moroccan jewelry, but has also been a family run restaurant in New York since 2003. New Yorkers and critics alike praise it for its exquisite traditional cuisine and unique Mediterranean atmosphere.

How did you get the idea for Zerza?I was born in Morocco and came to the United States in 1994 as part of the Disney college program, working at the Moroccan Pavilion at Epcot Center in Orlando. In 1997, I moved to New York City and joined the Plaza Hotel, where I handled Guest Relations and the Hotel’s VIP guests. No matter where I was, I met many people who were interested in Morocco, and that inspired me to open a restaurant so I could continue to share my culture with New Yorkers! In order to make the experience complete and more authentic, my mother, a talented chef, accepted the invitation to be part of Zerza and we started cooking.

How was the restaurant welcomed by New Yorkers?When we opened in 2003, there were only a handful of Moroccan restaurants in New York City. With extensive coverage of the Middle East in the news, there has been a growing interest in Moroccan culture and Arabic culture as a whole. It also helps that Americans are more familiar with Morocco thanks to “Casablanca”. They often see Morocco as an escape and a fantasy world, with belly dancers, shishas and magic carpets. I’m hoping to help take the Moroccan restaurant experience past that. We are working very hard to make it more about the exquisite cuisine and the wonderful flavors of Morocco. I’d like to see more Moroccan restaurants work towards this goal with confidence, without having to rely on the cliché.

What’s so special about Zerza?Our main focus is the food. We serve authentic Moroccan dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients. Our goal is to take the customer on a two-hour journey through the smells and flavors of my country. I consider Zerza to be an extension of Morocco. My mother, who oversees all the food preparation, has become somewhat of a star! Many guests have heard about her from the media or the internet. New Yorkers seem to be in the mood for the kind of family atmosphere that we provide.

Any favorites on the menu?The tagines here are most popular: Guests love the duck with figs and parsnips, the lamb tagines and the Mrouzia short ribs. I personally love the Bastilla, an elaborate Moroccan dish that combines sweet and savory flavors.

Zerza: 308 E 6th St New York, NY 10003 (bet. 1st and 2nd Aves) – P: (212) 529-8250 – Website: www.Zerza.com