Spice Market

Deep in the heart of the medina- old city- in Fez, Morocco, chefs on sabbatical are invited to use a restaurant space as a stage for their work with the aim of creating a gallery of food experiences. Restaurant Numero 7 is owned by Stephen di Renza, a former fashion director for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman who divides his time between Fez and Marrakesh, where he is the creative director for the Jardin Majorelle– Yves Saint Laurent’s old lair. Living full time in Morocco since 2007, di Renza originally designed the striking restaurant – which features black and white tile work, a black marble water wall, and an installation of hand blown glass bubbles – to compliment his adjacent hotel Riad 9.

The goal at Restaurant Numero 7 is to encourage a cross-culinary exchange between international chefs and local producers and cooks. The Medina is filled with local markets offering a cornucopia of seasonal flavors, such as mint, that has inspired Jerome Waag’s- head chef at Chez Panisse, Berkeley- menu while in residence for the month of June in conjunction with his own project openrestaurant.org. Chef residences last between one and four months during which time chefs get to interact with local farmers and producers, and interpret Moroccan cuisine through their own culinary philosophy. Taking over last month – when the restaurant reopened after Ramadan and the rest of the blistering summer- is Analiese Gregory, who has been cooking at Quay in Sydney and Mugaritz in Spain. As I’ve roamed throughout the amazing medinas in both Fez and Marrakesh, this is as close to an Arabian Night as you’ll get…without the flying carpet. www.restaurantnumero7.com