Art hotel Izza Marrakech has announced the launch of its standalone restaurant, Noujoum.

A celebration of art, culture and gastronomy, Noujoum takes its name from the home of the late American socialite-designer Bill Willis, who has heavily inspired the design and aesthetic of the hotel.

The restaurant, previously known as Izza’s rooftop restaurant, sits atop the merged interlinking riads that make up the boutique art hotel, and the rooftop houses gardened terraces with views across the bustling Medina.

Noujoum is now open to non-residents and diners can explore the £5 million collection of traditional and digital artworks throughout the property. These include Sebastião Salgado’s Amazonia NFT series and Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol’s machine-learnt shifting sands.

The menu of Noujoum reflects the ‘House of Friends’ concept that has shaped Izza. The seasonal menu has been selected by British consultant chef, Paul Weaver, and suppliers include vendors in the souks, as well as local organic farms and the Izza rooftop garden. Dishes aim to showcase the best Morocco can offer, combining traditional cooking methods with a European influence.

Dishes include crab and leek croquettes, king prawn and langoustine with saffron mayonnaise; beef carpaccio, truffled artichoke, pickled girolles and pastilla; baked spiced aubergine caponata, stracciatella, basil and fried capers, and a Noujoum monkfish tagine with charred peppers and fennel. All seafood is sourced from the sustainable Ace Maree Fish Supplier with as much produce coming from native waters. Local and international wines accompany the dining menu.

The kitchen is run by Head Chef Ahmad El Hardoum who, over the last 15 years, has worked in a number of well-known hotels and restaurants in Marrakech, including Le Palais Paysan and, most recently, as Chef de Cuisine at El Fenn. Alongside them is talented Pastry Chef, Abderazzak El Boukhari.

CREDITS
Photography: © Treal Cecile / Ruiz Jean-Michel