Spice Girl

Heading into Hollywood almost always feels like I’m traveling somewhere foreign- I do live on the Westside after all- but when I recently walked into Acacbar, I actually thought I was somewhere… in Morocco. But this being LA, an Arabian Nights movie set would be more likely, or a plush den that once was LA’s iconic Moroccan restaurant Dar Maghreb- the film industry’s hangout for 40 years which closed in 2012. Realizing a gem in-the-making, the new owners- which include Frederic and Nicolas Meschin of The Little Door-  redressed the restaurant and lounge, transforming it into an exotic shrine designed by Keith Greco- who also did The Little Door- where hanging lanterns, plush sofas, mosaics of Moroccan stone in jeweled tones and colored etchings screamed glamour-chic to me immediately.

The multi-cultural influenced menu comes by way of acclaimed chef Octavio Beccerra of Palate Food + Wine, who takes diners on a culinary journey along the spice trail in Southeast Asia, India, Lebanon and Northwest Africa, with French influences everywhere- which is why I could swear I had been transported back to Marrakech. The sharable plates are spicy and flavorful, not to mention the flavorful name of Acabar’s signature dish, Porn Bread. Yes, a configuration of corn, aged cheddar and whipped almond-honey butter in the phallic shape of…you guessed it. The lamb meatballs, Indochine duck and grilled octopus were delicious and there’s even a crudo bar located in the lavish bar/lounge area, where deadly cocktails reside with DJ’s spinning global beats. Each handcrafted cocktail is from a specific era and place, including Ti Punch which dates back to 1798, and happens to be the national drink of Martinique. Now I know where to go to get my international gypsetter fix and it doesn’t require a long flight. www.acabar-la.com