Restaurant owner Alan Suissa wants to take you on a trip to North Africa.
And you won't need your passport.
Suissa and business partner Kenny Mahil opened French-Moroccan restaurant
Tangiers Bistro Bar and Martini Lounge earlier this month in the Canton neighborhood.
Born in Casablanca, Suissa wanted to recreate the cuisine of his French Moroccan Jewish heritage. What makes it distinct from traditional Morrocan fare is that that is spicier and relies heavily on cumin and less on dried fruits like apricots and prunes.
The small plates, or mezze, dishes include fried spicy eggplant, grilled lamb and beef sausage and salmon tagine. The dishes cost between $5 and $11. Suissa's grandmother, who was born in Tangiers, is the inspiration for the food, along with his mom and aunt who work in the kitchen.
Suissa and Mahil spent about $100,000 to renovate the 200-seat Canton spot at 845 S. Montford Ave. Suissa declined to say how much the partners paid for the property, formerly Red Fish restaurant. The 5,000-square-foot building is valued at about $474,000, according to state property records.
Having worked for the World Bank and the Washington Post Co.'s food and beverage divisions, Suissa is now making his first foray into the Baltimore market.
He liked the heavily trafficked location, facing Boston Street and in between Fells Point and Canton Square. He also likes the waterfront location.
"I fell in love with the building and location," Suissa says. "I heard from many people that the area is up and coming."
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Alan Suissa, Tangier's