Luxury art hotel IZZA has announced the launch of its standalone restaurant, Noujoum. A celebration of art, culture and the finest gastronomy, Noujoum takes its name from the home of the late American socialite-designer Bill Willis, who has heavily inspired the design and aesthetic of IZZA.
The restaurant, previously known as IZZA’s rooftop restaurant, sits atop the merged interlinking riads that make up the boutique art hotel, and the stunning rooftop houses gardened terraces with views across the bustling Medina – an ideal location from which to enjoy sunsets and suppers under the stars.
Noujoum is now open to non-residents and diners can explore the £5 million collection of traditional and digital artworks throughout the property. These include Sebastião Salgado’s Amazonia NFT series and Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol’s machine-learnt shifting sands.
Intimate spots and pretty orange tree-filled courtyards with fountains are the ideal place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail from Bill’s Bar, which echoes Willis’s iconic design of Rick’s Café in the film, Casablanca.
A blend of seven interconnecting riads, the menu of Noujoum reflects the ‘House of Friends’ concept that has shaped IZZA. The seasonal menu has been selected by British consultant chef, Paul Weaver, and suppliers include vendors in the souks, as well as local organic farms and the IZZA rooftop garden. A menu that is focused on local and sustainable produce, Noujoum’s dishes aim to showcase the best Morocco can offer, combining traditional cooking methods with a European influence.
True to the relaxed vibe and world class hospitality that is core to IZZA, the lunch and dinner menus consist of both small and sharing plates. Dishes include crab & leek croquettes, king prawn and langoustine with saffron mayonnaise; beef carpaccio, truffled artichoke, pickled girolles and pastilla; baked spiced aubergine caponata, stracciatella, basil and fried capers, and a Noujoum monkfish tagine with charred peppers and fennel. All seafood is sourced from the sustainable Ace Maree Fish Supplier with as much produce coming from native waters. Local and international wines accompany the dining menu.
The kitchen is run by Head Chef Ahmad El Hardoum who, over the last 15 years, has worked in a number of well-known hotels and restaurants in Marrakech, including Le Palais Paysan and, most recently, as Chef de Cuisine at El Fenn. Alongside Ahmad is talented Pastry Chef, Abderazzak El Boukhari, who has 10 years’ experience in defining jaw-dropping delicious delicacies and desserts, including IZZA’s special version of tiramisu.
IZZA rates start from €200 (approx. £180) up to €840 (approx. £720) per room per night, including daily a la carte breakfast and airport transfer on arrival. Direct bookings also include a 45-minute massage in IZZA’s in-house spa and hammam or a complimentary cocktail.
IZZA has a current Tripadvisor rating of 5/5; 4.9/5 Google review score and 9.5/10 rating on Booking.com.
