Kazbah on Darling, Balmain

Kazbah mixed mezze plate (for two)
[Clockwise from front]: Lamb cutlet sambousek, char-grilled quail with pomegranate sauce,
grilled Cypriot haloumi, chickpea battered eggplant with orange blossom honey sauce, and
char-grilled octopus with skorthalia

A ferry trip to East Balmain must be one of the most leisurely ways to head towards dinner. A relaxing ride across tranquil waters and then up the hill we climb towards The London for a brief pit-stop for a breather and the excuse to down a few beers. From here it's a short hike up Darling Street towards our final destination, Kazbah.


Table setting



Moroccan is the theme here and we're pleased to discover a large airy restaurant. A few touches like beaded napkin rings and crayons on each paper-topped table are instantly noticed. It doesn't take long for the little kid in each of us to remember the joys of doodling with thick stubby crayons.


Turkish bread with dukkah, olive oil and za'atar

Today is Thursday and we're pleased to discover their current dining offer for Wednesdays and Thursdays: $40 for two courses with wine, or $45 with three with wine.

Mains and desserts are selected from the menu, entrees must be the Kazbah mezzes platter pictured at the start of this post. The lamb sambousek is my absolute favourite - all buttery flaky pastry, tender moist lamb, sweet caramelised onion and capsicum contrasted with a dollop of smooth creamy yoghurt.

Our entrees also come with a plate of deep-fried pitta breads, crisp golden brown shards that are terribly addictive but soon start to weight heavily on the stomach. The tabouleh is refreshing but by the time we've mopped up the tzatziki, babaganouj and hummus I'm almost full.


Fried pita with tabouli, hummus, babaganouj and tzatziki (for two)

Our mains arrive to already distended bellies. The Kazbah tagine is a little disappointing in appearance, a simple white plate with lamb and couscous lacks the spectacular grandeur of the couscous Casablanca. Thankfully I've ordered the latter which is rich and hearty, packed with chunks of carrot, sweet potato and celery. The lamb falls off the bone and the chickpeas are smooth and creamy.

The pan-fried duck breast is juicy and tender, the skin is crisp and topped with dukkah.



Pan-fried duck breast $35.00
with sweet potato falafel cake, glazed figs and pistachio dukkah


Kazbah tagine with carrot-steamed couscous $35.00


Couscous Casablanca $68.00 for two
with slow roasted lamb shoulder, braised vegetables,
sultana jam, tomato broth and condiments


Pickles, yoghurt, preserved lemon and broth

Desserts are predictably sweet. The Kazbah bombe is a wonderful flashback to the Bombe Alaska era, although I wonder whether this two-person dessert is more suited to four or five sugar tooths. The meringue exterior is sweet and the turkish delight ice cream, although delicious, is even sweeter.


Kazbah bombe for two $24.00
with Turkish delight ice cream, blueberries and kurrant vodka




Halawat El Jiben $14.00
Mafroukeh, fresh figs, ashta, pistachio and walnuts

The halawat el jiben is practically coma-inducing too, although the figs and walnuts provide some relief. By the time our Moroccan cigars I arrive, I am almost spent, but still manage a few forkfuls of the light flaky pastry tunnels filled with mousse. No more sugar, my pancreas insists. No more sugar, begs the enamel on my teeth.


Chocolate and halawah mousse Moroccan cigars $15.00
with honey cinnamon ice cream and chocolate sauce


Hot chocolate


Mint tea

The hot chocolate is declared as "very good" but I order the mint tea which arrives in a coffee plunger. There's a complimentary piece of Turkish delight on the side and... you know what's coming.

My pancreas just sighed and worked a little harder.




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Kazbah on Darling
379 Darling Street, Balmain, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9555 7067

Breakfast: Saturday & Sunday 9:00am - 3:00pm
Lunch: Saturday & Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Dinner: Wednesday to Saturday 6:30pm - Late

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Kazbah on Darling, June 2007 (breakfast)
Moroccan - Out of Africa, Manly