Tajine

1338 Polk St.  
415-440-1718 Map it

No reservations; cash only
$
Moroccan
byob, lunch, open 7 days, outdoor dining

SCENE: This newly relocated Moroccan restaurant, run by Fez-wearing, Casablanca-born chef-owner Mohamed Ghaleb not only prepares most of the dishes himself in the itsy-bitsy open kitchen (barely big enough for two people) but also manages to chat with customers while he’s cooking. Somehow, they all seem to know the likable Ghaleb by name.

EATS: You’re really here for the casual Moroccan fare, which is simply delicious. Zaalouk, a chilled salad of baked eggplant, tomatoes, garlic and parsley served with warm sesame-topped bread, is peppery and refreshing, while the juicy dajaj mequali—saffron-and-parsley-coated baked chicken served with preserved lemons and olives—is wonderfully briny. Order a pot of the refreshing mint tea, served in a beautiful silver kettle, to feel a little bit more refined while you chow down.