Omaha Forums

Nichole Aksamit World-Herald Staff Writer wrote:A new Moroccan eatery is coming to the food court at the Brandeis Building, 210 S. 16th St.

Marrakech Gourmet at the Brandeis, expected to open by mid-May, is owned by Jo Lynn Clemens and chef Moussa Drissi.

Clemens said Drissi is a Moroccan native who worked with Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey's personal chef, in Chicago. Drissi started a catering company in Omaha before partnering with Clemens to launch the Brandeis spot.

“It's going to be healthy, obviously, in the Mediterranean style,” Clemens said. “We'll have wraps and paninis with Moroccan spices as well as soups. We're also looking at having some buffet-type items.”

Lainey Seyler of The Reader wrote:Moroccan food is new to Omaha. Ethiopian and Sudanese eateries that have opened in recent years in the city are the closest we’ve come to the flavorful, slow-cooked culinary style of this northeast African nation. Moroccan cuisine generally relies heavily on spices (such as saffron, cumin and ginger) and herbs (such as mint; think Moroccan mint tea) for its flavor.

“Moroccan food is unique,” says Drissi. “It’s been influenced by so many regions (and tribes) in Morocco. We get Spanish cuisine, Middle Eastern. We also have East African cuisine. Morocco has been a colony by the French, so they brought French cuisine.”

Jane Palmer WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Our food is a combination of Moroccan, Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern region. We cook from scratch. We do a lot of grilling and stewing.

We use no artificial anything. We use the freshest herbs. We import a lot of fresh spices, saffron, pure honey. We accommodate vegan and gluten free. We're kid friendly, we cater and we deliver.

mgmlot93 wrote:We went to the 33rd street location last night and the food was wonderful. I hope they do well.

frankt wrote:Closed. Now it's a burger joint.