Restaurant: Argana Tree Restaurant
Location: 620 Greenwood Ave, Jenkintown, PA 19046. (215) 887-7400
Date: November 24, 2021
Cuisine: Moroccan
Rating: Slow but good
After 2 years off for the pandemic the ThanksGavin was back on in its habitual Philadelphia. On Wed night before the holiday we always go out somewhere interesting, in this case just down the street to:
It’s really down the street from my cousins’ place. We walked.
The menu.
The dining room.
NV Henriot Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut.
Bread.
Olive oil.
Assorted Moroccan Appetizers.
Greek Salad. Feta cheese, Olives, Tomato, Cucumber, Boiled Egg and Red Wine Vinegar Dressing Over Mixed Greens.
roasted beet salad. Crispy goat cheese, grapefruit, raspberries pistachio, arugula, mustard dressing.
Falafel and yogurt.
From my cellar: 1976 Robert Ampeau & Fils Volnay 1er Cru Santenots.
From my cellar: 2012 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Anrecht.
Kefta Kabob. Ground lamb in Moroccan spices.
Spinach Briwats. filo filled savory pastry with Spinach, onion and feta.
Vegetable Briwats. filo filled savory pastry with carrots, leeks, zucchini.
From my cellar: 2000 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes. VM 93+. Bright deep red. Exotic aromas of jammy red fruits, cinnamon and smoke. Juicy, tightly wound and powerful, with brooding flavors of black fruits, minerals and mint. Quite different in style from the basic bottling, with a structural underpinning that’s rare for the vintage. Finishes very long and firm, with strong flavors of dark berries and spices and somewhat austere but ripe tannins. Should prove to be long-lived in the context of the vintage. (Eric Solomon/European Cellars, Charlotte, NC)
Seafood Pastilla. Baby Scallops, Shrimp, Calamari & White Fish. served over Rice Vermicelli with Moroccan Spices
Lamb Shank.
Paella Valencia. Saffron Rice, Shrimp, Calamari, Baby Scallops and Chicken. I guess it came south from Spain.
Lamb Tagine w/ Caramelized Onions and Almonds.
Chicken Tagine with Apricots.
Seabass. Someone likes it plain.
Halibut.
Argana Tree was pretty tasty. I can’t say that it was fast, or that the plating was modern and slick, but the food was enjoyable and we had a great time. It was certainly great to see everyone again after 2 years hiatus!