Slideshow

First Look at Doug Psaltis’s New Project, Le Souk Harem

http://images.nymag.com/images/2/daily/2009/09/lesouk/20090909_lesouk_1_190x190.jpg

Le Souk Harem threw an opening party last night, complete with Arabian circus, and though we couldn’t attend because we were fastidiously observing Ramadan, we hear it was fun. From the publicist, anyway. Here’s a look at the three-level space, minus the dozen or so sidewalk tables — it’s currently open for lunch and dinner, though you should call to make sure Fashion Week parties won’t butt in to your enjoyment of former Smith’s chef Doug Psaltis’s food, which is being pitched as “new Moroccan with a French twist.” Ask for the 75-seat tented area upstairs, if that’s your sort of thing. On offer is the $25 mojito hookah, of course, as is bottle service.

ENTRÉES
Mezze Cru 4.5
Chef’s selection of raw fish, condiments, Moroccan spices

Harira Soup 7
Green lentil, chickpea, Sheriya pasta, tomato, cilantro

Pasteque et Fromage 7
Watermelon salad, Demiati cheese, purple Moroccan olives, cilantro, mint

Salade du Jardin 7
Moroccan spiced carrots, chickpeas, tomato, arugula

Le Maquereau 8
Charred Maquerel, allspice sweet-potato coulis, crisp pear

Calamars Marines 8
Marinated calamari, bitter green salad, smoked paprika ginger gastrique

Merguez à l’Oeuf Poche 8
Grilled homemade lamb sausage, poached egg, tomato fondue, charmoula

Langue de Boeuf 9
Thinly sliced poached beef tongue, chickpeas, fennel, bell peppers, citrus cumin emulsion

Cotes levees 10
Spiced lamb ribs, ras al hanout, fennel-tomato marmalade

Tartare d’Agneau 11
Lamb sirloin, flat bread, quail egg, citrus apple, toasted caraway seeds, harissa

Prawns Grillées 11
Tabbouleh salad, black honey, aged balsamic reduction, tahini sauce

Foie Gras 14
Pistachio-crusted, poached quince, rose-petal syrup, coriander shoots

PLAT PRINCIPAL
Couscous aux sept legumes 17
Traditional couscous, seasonal market vegetables, golden raisin and onion marmalade, broth

Gratin au Zaalouk 18
Eggplant caviar, sautéed seasonal vegetables, plum tomato, goat cheese, mint leaves

Tajine Makfoul 19
Slow-braised Moroccan beef-rib stew, caramelized onions, and tomatoes

Petit Poulet 19
Roasted chicken, eggplant confit, couscous, red-pepper coulis, turmeric

Tajine au Canard 20
Duck confit, Yukon gold potatoes, green olives, kumquat jam, duck jus

Tagine de Pagre Rouge 21
Roasted red snapper, potato, pepper, beefsteak tomatoes, onion, Moroccan spices

Pastilla du Pecheur 22
Thin layers of phyllo dough, calamari, shrimp, scallops, clams, vermicelli, charmoula

Cotelette d’agneau 22
Grilled lamb chops, watercress, dried fruits, anis confit

Caille farcie 22
Roasted quail stuffed with faro, dried plums and spinach, foie gras pastilla

Tajine au Lobster 24
Lobster tail, cauliflower, golden raisins, toasted slivered almonds

Le Royal 26
Braised lamb belly, lobster tail, roasted bone marrow, hibiscus

DESSERT 7
Mint Tea Granitée
Trio of homemade mint tea deserts

Coing
Poached quince, puff pastry, pistachio

Macaron Sandwiches
Coconut, ice cream, chocolate sauce

Sellou Fez Style
Raisin couscous, almond custard, sesame

Warm chocolate and tahini Sauce
Spiced ice cream

PRIX FIX MENUS

Traditional 36
Harira Soup
*********************
Salade du Jardin
**********************
Le Maquereau
OR
Calamars Marines
OR
Merguez à l’Oeuf Poche
***********************
Couscous aux sept legumes
***********************
Tajine Makfoul
OR
Petit Poulet
OR
Gratin au Zaalouk
***********************
Dessert

Nouveau 46
Harira Soup
*********************
Salade du Jardin
**********************
Tartare d’Agneau
OR
Prawns Grillées
OR
Cotes levees
***********************
Couscous aux sept legumes
***********************
Pastilla du Pecheur
OR
Tajine au Canard
OR
Tajine Makfoul
***********************
Dessert

Menu du Chef 56
Harira Soup
OR
Pasteque et Fromage
***********************
Mezze Cru
OR
Foie Gras
OR
Le Maquereau
***********************
Couscous aux sept legumes
***********************
Cotelette d’agneau
OR
Caille farcie
OR
Le Royal
***********************
Dessert


Le Souk Harem, 510 LaGuardia Pl., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-961-7507

First Look at Doug Psaltis’s New Project, Le Souk Harem