Ben's Alibi

www.bensalibi.com.au

Ben's Alibi is a newish breakfast and lunch spot in the city. We've spotted it when driving down Turbot street, so I googled it and realised they served Moroccan and Middle eastern influenced food. 

We didn't realise it was just outside the magistrates court until we arrived there for lunch, and then figured out how they got their name... cute. There is seating indoors, and then larger tables outside, however be wary of catching cigarette fumes from people smoking outside the courthouse. Indoors, the tables and floor could be a bit cleaner I thought, particularly for a place thats not that old.

Lunch items include spicy sausages, Moroccan themed salads, pizzas and sandwiches, pies and pastries. Other extras include various dips, bread and sides, or their sharing platters, which is what we decided to opt for. 

Ben's vegetarian tasting platter for two is priced at $20.80 per person, and can be made to include meaty items (pastries) for an extra $4, so not really a cheap lunch. 

Mecca Bah

www.meccabah.com

L and I had a sudden urge for baba ganoush and decided to visit Mecca Bah, being a Monday night, there wasn’t much open as usual.

We’ve visited Mecca Bah numerous times over the years and have always enjoyed the food there, but tend to visit on quieter nights, seeing as you can’t book a table we never really want to risk visiting on a Saturday night and having to contend with the masses.

We were seated promptly indoors, being the only tables available... Yes it was a Monday night but it was still reasonably full and there weren’t any tables available outside at all. I did notice the furnishings have deteriorated over the last couple of years... chairs are looking a bit grubby and the light fittings and cushions are a bit dirty, but if you aren’t looking with a microscope like I tend to, you won’t notice these things. 

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Sweet Tomato Jam

L got this Moroccan cookbook for Christmas last year and so far has managed to make only one thing out of it, but its been such a success that we've had it a few times and I thought I would share it. 

This is the cookbook here;

The recipe:

• 1.5kg ripe tomatoes
• 1kg lamb shoulder or leg steaks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions coarsely grated
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 30g butter
• 40g blanched almonds

serves 4-6