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Clinton-Washington Aves (G)
Lafayette Ave (C)
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Friend: The lighting in this film is really weird..
Me: Yeah, it kind of reminds me of Rear Window
*silence ... grace kelly joins james stewart on screen*
Us: Oh hehehehe.
This place is really great, except I'm one of those screen junkies that just can't get over having a moving image in sight (I get hella overwhelmed at sports bars), which I could've done without while trying to juggle conversation and tender, juicy steak frites. Last night I caught the end of Casablanca and a good chunk of Rear Window, to the chagrin of my dining companion. At least they have good taste.
But otherwise, it was great. Cozy atmosphere, caring staff, great food, not pricy. If I could, I might take another half-star off because of the mass quantity of garlic they added to the juice/"gravy" over my steak, but I know people, and I know they loves them some garlic, so I'll go with it. Good beer selection -- not extensive, but very much appropriate for the food (I had a Belgian blonde ale that I'm blanking on the name of right now, but it was like a slightly-less-smooth Leffe, for comparison).
I have always walked by the restaurant wondering if this venue is any good since the decor seems interesting from outside looking in. Finally, M. and I went there the other night and this is our experience.
Awesomeness... The End.
Ok, allow me to elaborate. The place was kind of packed at 9:30pm. Yet we were seat promptly by the very friendly waiter/staff. The restaurant has more tables in the back and patio that is open in the warm weather. The ambiance was nice, the Moroccan lamps were pretty and the background music although doesn't really match the venue is still very pleasant. We studied the menu after it was handed to us, followed by a short recital of the specials of the day.
The menu prices were a bit lower than what label on http://menupages.com. The hanger steak, for instance, is $15, instead of $17. The kif burger is $11, not $12. Anyhow, we ordered the soup of the day (cream of carrot and ginger), hummus and pita, hanger steak (medium rare) and seafood tagine. Oh and I had a Casa lager to satisfy the alcoholic in me. FYI, I liked it, its sweet.
The appetizer portions are very good here. Not too small nor too big. The soup was wonderful, and the hummus was delicious. Then came the entrees which equally yummy. I loved my seafood tagine! So was very fresh and light yet flavorful. It was topped with some seasonal veggies. The steak was very good and well sized for the price. We wanted to try the dessert at the end of our meal but there was no more space in the tummy for it.
The service was excellent, friendly and attentive. They had a great vibe between themselves. Overall, Kif offers good food at great value. No wonder you could see so many locals at this place.
M. and I agreed that we will have to come back to this restaurant and perhaps make ourselves regulars. We had a wonderful time!
I guess the Cliff Notes version would be this place is FRESH! In the old school sense and the literal sense!
I know God has a sense of humor... after eating out at Mediterranean style restaurants 3 times in one week... we probably saved the best for last. Yes, it's Moroccan but we still had meze. And the standard meze were VERY good, very fresh, very tasty. Best renditions I've had. The spinach cigar was indeed good, but not to die for as others have stated. Hummus was great: the spices they used combined with the consistency, it wasn't mealy at all and very savory. They do charge for bread, but it is good and fresh.
Most of the people on my side of the table had veggie couscous though my gf had some merguez and I was the lone pure meat dish with lamb shank tagine.
The couscous was incredibly light and fluffy. My lamb shank was cooked to super gelatinous tender perfection! It tasted horrendously indulgent for me... so full of flavor and savoriness, super fresh again and so tender I used my fork to remove meat from the shank. Damn, thinking about it now is making my mouth water like Homer Simpson... =P~~~~~ 5 drools means 5 stars.
The decor and ambiance was really nice... like other reviewers have said, cozy, relaxed... not too loud. Service was good and honestly helpful and thoughtful... very rare these days unfortunately. A breath of fresh air.
This place was a favorite of a vegetarian friend but from the lamb and the reactions of people eating lots of meat dishes around us... I really want to return again!
Restaurant has a really chill, laid back setting.. Just warm and cozy.. Staff is very welcoming.. We arrived Sunday night after walking around the neighborhood.. They were able to move some tables around and seat the 5 of us.
We started with some appetizers..The hummus and pita appetizer stood out but, more so for the fresh pita. We also ordered some cigars, samosas, the eggplant puree and something else.. All were good.
What really moved this place into the special catagory foodwise were the tangines and cous cous.. The lamb was very good but, the seafood was the star.. Large chunks of clean fish, mussels, clams, scallops, some salmon and perfectly cut chunks of zucchini... All sitting in a unsweet coconut broth. Served over their super light and fluffy cous cous, i was a happy guy..
Also like the fact that they provide tables with pitchers of water so there is no need to wait for a refill..
Winter is a perfect time to have these tangines they have here.. For 18 bucks each we split the 2 tangines between the 5 of us.
I really like this place! I can say with authority, having spent a month in Morocco a few years back and eating everything in sight, that this place is fabulously, authentically, wonderfully delicious and hospitable as a Moroccan establishment should be.
Everything is to share. We had the Lamb shank tagine, the Hanger Steak, the Couscous Royal, the Eggplant puree and the Beet and Fennel salad. Everything was divine! Usually when I eat out with this set of friends I don't have to fight for portions, this time I had to and I'm glad I did. The bone, and marrow, on that lamb shank was worth the scratches I'm sporting on my right arm! I loved how smoky the steak was, how garlicky the aubergine was, and those root vegetables in the tagine were cooked to perfection! I'm so bad because I don't recall the name of our server guy but he was lovely. I was here with three discerning friends, we ate like kings and we left absolutely happy!
Great salmon and mussels, you have to eat in the patio in the back. Watch out for the mosquitos but well worth it.
Highly recommend it this spot if you like Moroccan!
Kif is part of a handful of nice restaurants located along this interesting short stretch on Dekalb Avenue. The main room has a nice, long bar on one side (I can see the bar being a very popular drinking oasis during weekends), and about 8-9 tables on the other side. Three large mirrors are on the wall behind the tables, with nice lantern-like lamps hanging from the ceiling. The overall impression is warm and welcoming.
Being a warm Wednesday night at the end of summer, we opted to be seated under the outdoor tent, which is really a lovely space
As drinks I had a Palm on tap (a very nice Belgian beer), while VH tried a mint tease cocktail, which was a bit bland.
For dinner, VH had the veggie platter (see her review), while I had the lamb tagine with caramelized roots vegetables rutabaga, turnips, carrots and couscous. The dish was delicious: the meat was flavorful and very tender, almost melting in my mouth; and I loved the vegetables on the side. Perhaps the sauce (which was wonderful with cous cous, btw) was a bit too liquid, though.
Save some space for dessert: the blueberry klafouti with rose and orange ice cream is to die for. Apart from the wonderfully rich and fresh taste, I really loved the contrast of textures and temperatures between the slab of cold ice cream on top and the warm klafouti at the bottom.
I cannot give it four stars because the service was just so-so: when we went there the two waitresses were really doing their best but definitely struggling to keep up with all the customers (which, being a Wednesday night, weren't that many). I will have to agree with other yelpers that wrote that the restaurant seems to be understaffed.
I have been to Kif about a half dozen times over the last year and have became quite fond of the wonderful Husband and Wife team that ran the place. But, I went there tonight on a date and the experience was terrible. There was a man running the place I had never seen before.
Maybe it was there before but I never noticed the 42 inch television in the bar area. It doesn't jive with the decor at all. On top of this the new managers daughter (at least it seemed so) and her friends were seated at the bar. They periodically went behind the bar and made themselves drinks. They were incredibly loud and obnoxious. Think 'Girls Gone Wild' but without the booby flashing...they were also controlling the music and kept suddenly raising and lowering the volume and singing along with a Beyonce track (which is far from the type of music they used to play. go to their website for an example).
The food was good but it was always the atmosphere that brought me back to this place so many times. But it is no longer the chill super mellow authentic place it once was.
DISCLAIMER: If you're really turned off by spacey, often forgetful service, Kif is NOT the place for you. HOWEVER, if you don't mind long waits and the odd wrong order, you will be rewarded with some amazing appetizers, and with what has to be the most delicious lamb tagine I have EVER tasted. The lovely backyard is also a big draw, but it is the lamb tagine that keeps me coming back. It tastes like it was perfected over generations, and it has the most comforting, home-cooked quality to it that I cannot put my finger on. And I'm not even Moroccan!
Came back here on a cold night a few months back. Split some really yummy appetizers with a friend at the bar. Yam frites, grilled pita, falafel and something else that I can't find on the menu any longer (but I recall enjoying!) The banana creme brulee was only okay, and I can't remember much about my drink. It was either too strong or too watery.
The music and decor was the high point, to be honest...and the frites!
I still plan on making it back over here for a FULL meal.
My roommate and I wandered over hear around 1, after getting mani/pedis, to get a light brunch. And… Read more »
Hell Yes!
My wife and i had walked passed this place a couple of dozen times before going in because it does not look like much of anything. The decor is nice but it looks like any other Moroccan spot out there with pasty hummus and bland soggy falafel...NOT THE CASE we went once and have been 6 time since...including the night before giving birth and the day after we got out of the hospital...
The Falafel is amazing (one of the best i've had and that includes time spent in Turkey) with a crunchy exterior and spice tangy and delicious interior it is jut perfect. The dipping sauce is great and not the classic tahinni and nuthin' sauce - but a tart and spice tahinni sauce with yogurt(?) and garlic...
Amazing Hummus, the Pits is baked fresh and served with a garlic/herb sause which we wanted to take home
If they have the pork chop on the menu...GET TWO...truly perfect - tasty and juicy with mashed potatoes, a lamb jus sauteed bok choi (Moroccan? yeah i don't know, but it was amazing) This is definitely a place to order the MEAT dishes (ironically) they just cook their meat with care...
Great steak, Super fish dishes and even for the Vegetarians - the Veg plate was beautiful with two meals worth of tasty Moroccan treats...
I went in today for brunch around noon. It was fairly empty, maybe due to the rain. It was cozy, and the music was turned on but at a low volume so that you could hear everything that was going on.
Our waitress was nice and came to check up on us a few times during our meal. The food was excellent. I ordered the meatball tagine ($13), which was served with poached eggs in a simmering sauce. While the meatballs were a touch dry, it was really flavorful, and the pita they served was thick and fluffy, to the point that it reminded me of focaccia.
My friend ordered a coffee, which she said was really good, and the merguez (spicy lamb sausage) with eggs ($13), which came with a salad and roasted potatoes with harissa on the side. The sausage was great and so were the potatoes.
For dessert, we got the blueberry clafouti and pastilla; both were good.
I would definitely go back to try their lunch or dinner options, and I definitely recommend this place.
Sitting here for an hour and a half.. It took 45 minutes to get our food even though the place isn't crowded.. Apparently they ran out of glasses and muffins and other stuff.. One of our meals was so bad that it had to be sent back.. Now on minute 10 of waiting for the check. Won't be back here..
I went to Kif for the first time last night, and I have to say it was pretty fantastic. I was absolutely ravenous and we started with the spinach goat cheese cigars, hummous and merguez (lamb sausage). It was a great way to begin.
I also started with the London Casa cocktail, which was a gin-based drink. Also delicious, and it avoids the perennial cocktail problem: being too sweet. Despite its lovely ruby red color, this bad boy went down super smooth, with just a touch of sweetness to balance out the gin.
I had the couscous royale and it was lovely. It came with some home-made broth on the side that I could doctor up with harisa (spicy!) and yellow raisins (a fantastic sweet foil to the spicy) however I wanted. I would definitely recommend this dish for whoever, like me, can be indecisive and wants a bit of everything, as it included super tender lamb, chicken sausage and a nice mix of roasted veggies to make you feel virtuous.
I pondered dessert long and hard, but ended up deciding I was too full. A wise move for my waistline in hindsight, but I'm still thinking about the lychee sorbet and wondering....
My one qualm: I was there on a Tuesday night and the place seemed a little understaffed/overwhelmed by the diners. Maybe because it is Restaurant Week in the B/K? It seems to be a family-type operation, which is fab, and I hate to nitpick. But our server seemed overwhelmed, and a bit rushed.
Will definitely return. Might just make an entire meal out of the sharing plates. Yum.
Let cut to the chase: this was one of the best meals I've had in memory. Having lived in the Middle East, this is real food from the region, elevated harmoniously to another, mouth-watering level. Our salads were beyond fantastic (Beet and fennel / Fried Goat Cheese, Pear and Arugula), but the entrees are the feature. We had Lamb Tagine and my favorite, a giant bowl of Couscous Royale (lamb + chicken + merguez!). Each entree would have probably served 2 at most precious NYC restaurants -- so it was like we ate for 4.
The service and environment is fantastic -- the kind of place that makes you feel like you're a regular, welcome guest. No rushing, no attitude. We sat in the spacious, beautiful outdoor patio. You should do the same.
One word: Awesome! I went here last week and LOVED it. The service is great as is the food. I had the steak frittes and the hubby had the vegetable couscous. The spinach & goat cheese cigars are to die for!!
First, I'd like to point out that I moved to NY last July and this is the first review I have been inspired to write since my arrival. It could be that I'm living on a recession-sized budget and haven't eaten out in a while, but I suspect the food (and the service) at Kif is actually THAT good. I was trying to eat light, so I ordered a soup and salad: seafood chowder (a special) and the fried goat cheese salad. I know; fried goat cheese isn't exactly the epitome of "light," and neither is chowder for that matter...but both dishes were DELISH!
Thanks to my dinner-mates, I was also able to sample the couscous royal, falafel, and spinach and goat cheese cigars, all of which I LOVED. The dessert (another special: super-moist, dense, banana cake with a poached pear and ice cream on top) was. to. die. for. Our waiter--who had a gorgeous French accent and a face to match *wink*--was so nice and accommodating, even when we asked him to translate some french phrases for us. I also loved the cozy atmosphere--great for a date or dinner with friends. I can't wait to try the brunch.
This place is great. Everyone who works here is super nice, attentive, and they encourage sharing. I love sharing. Even when my dining partner does not. They have a range of little appetizers (3 kinds of hummus! Spicy corn! Goat cheese cigars!), an amazing vegetarian plate (even the bacon boy liked it!) and cocktails that stole me away from my usual beer staple. I ate the sugarcane garnish, which may have negated my classy cocktail-lady status, but was highly satisfying.
I have to admit it's a little fancier than my norm, but the prices are reasonable for what you get, and the atmosphere, outdoor seating and food are delightful. That's right. I fucking said delightful.
At last they've finally resurrected a new spot over my old favorite brunch spot Liquors with the new Middle Eastern Kif. Kif is actually ~way~ fancier inside with lots of ambient lighting and a whole decadent harem theme so i ~almost~ don't miss Liquors shabby chic!
The lamb burger and yam fries were delicious, and if you think they remind you of something else maybe it's because the same guy that runs cafe lafayette seems to be running this place as well. As far as I'm concerned the lamb burger beats the lafayette burger hands down.
Kif's tangine was also pretty tasty. Not to mention their cocktails--although I think I need to go back before 7pm to really appreciate them while they are still 2 for 1!
The backyard was done up a lot more chi-chi than when it was liquors although I must say the chair i was sitting in was so high up that my knees were hitting the table, and i'm vertically challenged. Minus 1/2 star!
Can't wait to go back (avoiding the 1 awkward chair mind you) for the 1/2 price cocktails and to try brunch!
UPDATE: Recommended brunch items: the kif burger, meatball tangine... Also had a passable but far from earthshattering virgin bloody mary (I know what do you expect from a virgin right?)
In the mood for something different, my friends and I headed to Kif for some interesting North African cuisine. It was late, close to 10 pm, but they were still open and apparently just getting started (at least at the bar). Our drinks to start were good, as were the falafal appetizers.
My meal of the chicken tagine was amazingly moist, my husband's chicken kebabs had an excellent rub, and my friend really liked the Kif burger with yam fries!
The back patio had almost a magical ambiance about it with the lights and the tent. It was a really lovely spot to dine and chat. Food was delish and prices reasonable. I'd return!
I came here on a Wednesday night and this place was great! Unassuming, unpretentious and wonderfully cozy and inviting! We opted to sit outside and wow it was nice. They have a tented area, and I felt like I was transported to another time and place (ie Morocco?). I had a mint tease cocktail, which was refreshing but definitely it could have used another shot of Citron ;-) My partner in crime had a belgian beer, which was tasty and def a thirst quencher! For dinner, I had the veggie platter, and of course, the eggplant was awesome. The pita was piping hot! Yea ;-) The cold ginger soup was very welcoming on a hot summer night. The lamb tangine was terrific, and the sauce was great with couscous. But the best part of the dinner was the klafouti, yum, to die for ;-) If I knew it was this good, I would just have gotten it for appetizer, entree, and dinner!!! The waitstaff was attentive, and the owner (I think?) was very friendly and helpful! Not to mention the wonderful French accent ;-) This place is great! Perfect place to take a date, and you'll be glad to take your date here, because after this place, I guarantee you will get a second date ;-)
Classic Moroccan menu executed with care and passion. Cozy ambiance. A perfect neighborhood spot, and worth a trip, too.
I don't get the whole French-African thing. I really don't. I've been disappointed by Kush. I liked Les Enfants Terribles (stay for the food, leave for the attitude). I guess this is for the everyman who isn't necessarily a fan of this style of cuisine but has a friend who drags them there.
Anyway, food is fine but when the garden is open that's your best bet. In fact, by the outside of this place you wouldn't know they have a nice open-air area that actually doesn't feel like an afterthought.
(3.5) After walking with my friend down Dekalb, we knew we wanted something ethnic. Not sure what we wanted we read several menus until Kif's stood out. Their ambiance was nice and carefully decorated and service tentative. We started off with the falafel, which came with a nice creamy sauce. (I must add they are perfectly matched) 2 iced Moroccan teas (but at $5 each not worth it). We then received our main course. I had the Steak (medium) It was covered in a nice glaze, but must add that the french fries were AMAZING!! I think I will go back just to order a side. I have no idea what they did, but OH MAN! My friend had the lamb. I am not a big fan of lamb, but he sure seemed to enjoy it. The meat just slide off the bone. For our meal it came out to $55 bucks. It is definitely a great place to eat, but with so many options, I think will go visit the other neighborhood establishments before returning.
fantastic! great food, great service, great atmosphere. not easy to find a place that has all three, but last night i found this new star in my neighborhood.
my dad was visiting, and we both love middle eastern food, so i thought maybe we'd try kif for something a little different. i've always walked by it, but never went in. 6:30 on a sunday night, and we walked right in, sat in the back. the owner, jamal, served us, and treated us like old friends. he was super knowledgable, giving us wine suggestions and menu item details. the pita is fantastic - fluffy and moist on the inside, crisp and buttery on the outside. not to mention the herbed oil it comes with to dip in. the small plate of merguez sausage was delicious. a unique flavor that i can't really identify, but spicy and slightly sweet and rich and intense and juicy and awesome. i could eat a big plate of this stuff! our other favorites included the goat cheese and spinach cigars, and the real gem of the night, the lamb tagine. holy cows. this is crazy delicious. fall off the bone, melt in your mouth lamb with that same unique, unidentifyable blend of spices and herbs, and that fantastic liquid gold in the bottom of the tagine that you soak up with couscous or pita or just slurp up - its good stuff. no room for dessert, but i'll definitely go back and try again!
i forgot to mention the back room. its covered with burlap-like fabric that billows from the ceiling, and is lit by mutiple metal hanging lamps studded with stones, colored glass and covered in cutouts which, when the sun goes down, cover the billowy ceiling and walls with these beautiful light patterns. its fantastically dim and cozy and romantic and the perfect setting for good food and company. im comin back for more!
A warm, friendly restaurant with lovely food in hefty portions at recession-friendly prices. Pretty close to the C and G trains, so easy for the Manhattanites, as well as those of us chained to the F/G line. As soon as you walk in, the vibe is very welcoming. They were very nice about accomodating our party, which had an inexcusably late late-comer. Started off with a reasonably priced bottle of wine (a bunch of selections under $40-50). Appetizers were shared, and were ok. Carrot salad was fresh and nice, though a bit sweet for my taste. The phyllo cigar things with cheese were nice, though better without the accompanying heavy odd-tasting dip. The stars of the show were the mains though. We all decided on the lamb tagine and roast chicken yassa. Both were moist, very flavorful, perfectly cooked and delicious. Very generous portion size. Chicken came with scented rice (maybe coconut milk?) and roast veggies while the tagine came with light fluffy couscous and veg. Highly recommend both dishes. Desserts had some standouts as well. One dessert was thin squares of fried dough drizzled with a yogurt sauce. It is not to be missed, and very easily share-able. The blueberry clafoutis topped with a lovely sorbet (rosewater and citrus I think) was amazing, but too small to share, since I scarfed it before anyone else could get their fork in it. The bread pudding was ok, not served warm as we had guessed, not as good as the other two desserts in my opinion. Towards 8-9pm, the place really filled up, and had a fun, mellow yet lively atmosphere. Highly recommended!
We went to Kif for brunch on New Year's Day. I had chachouka (eggs cooked in tomato-pepper sauce). It wasn't spicy at all, but I asked for some harissa that gave it the perfect kick. My husband had eggs cooked in a tomato sauce with lamb meatballs. Both were great. The service was also perfect even though the staff had a late night New Years Eve. We can't wait to go back.
Great atmosphere. Great menu. Great place!
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Category: French
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Category: Caterers
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Moroccan
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