MomoDeeply sexy or over-hyped?
Address: 25-27 Heddon Street - Regent Street
W1B 4BH - Soho/West End
London
Nearest Bus or Train:Piccadilly Circus
Open Hours:Noon-2:30p & 7p-11:30p M-F, 7p-11p Su, closed on some bank holidays
The surprise of a souk-like atmosphere greets you as you turn the corner into this apparently quiet side street. Renowned as an incredibly hip, hot, richly, deeply sexy, and darkly sumptuous, late-night North African restaurant experience, this dim Ali Baba's Den is replete with gold tables, lanterns and trinkets, low-down cushions and Arabic music infusing the aromatic air. Ambience and looks are certainly the main draw, and it's a place for the city's young crowds to be seen (and packed) in. Abdallah El Rgachi is in the kitchen, designing dishes like grilled stuffed sardines with lemon, traditional Moroccan pastilla and tasty, tender tagines, with cous cous as light as snow for the chic Momo populace, belying rumours that the standard of cuisine is relegated to second place here. House wines include an Algerian Red at £10.50. The members-only bar in the basement remains ultra-exclusive, but do try the sister salad bar, tea room and bazaar Mô next door (number 23) for a relaxing mint tea break amid the arty arrangement of North African artefacts.
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