Diners will rejoice as their eyes take in the authentic decor , from the metal and glass lanterns and colorful tapestries hanging from the ceiling to intricately patterned pillows resting on the seats and golden plates adorning the vibrant red walls — all set to the sounds of traditional music that is thousands of years old .

But the excitement doesn ’ t end there . One of the most compelling aspects of dining at Casablanca , which got its start in Costa Mesa before moving to the western end of Newport Beach a year ago , is the live entertainment . Enjoy belly or flamenco dancing or piano music on Friday and Saturday nights , adding an extra special touch to the meal while further delving into the cultures represented at the eatery .

The captivating interior will make you feel right at home as you peruse the menu , which will take you on a cultural journey with cuisines hailing from Morocco , Algeria and Spain . Start with a Champagne cocktail , like the Velour d ’ Abricot , which combines the sparkling wine with a

CASABLANCA THE RESTAURANT 6800 W . Coast Highway 949-423-7038 ; restaurant-casablanca . com Hours : 4-9 p . m . Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday ; 4-10 p . m . Friday and Saturday ( with entertainment beginning at 7 p . m .); closed Monday

cognac-marinated apricot , or the Nightingale , which infuses hints of black raspberry . You can also opt for a glass of high-quality French wine or fruity Iberian sangria .

Prepare your palate for the meal ahead with a bowl of the harira soup , a flavorful blend of lentils , chickpeas , tomato , lemon and cilantro . Pair it with the Algerian Kemiya platter to sample a little bit of everything : grilled merguez , a sausage made from lamb ; marinated olives ; bourek , which are fried pastry rolls stuffed with beef or vegetables ; eggplant puree ; cucumbers ; carrots marinated with cumin ; hummus and fresh-baked pita bread . Everything here , in fact , is made from scratch , ensuring that you get a healthy meal that is both pleasing to the senses and authentic to the culture it represents .

When it comes time to tuck into the entrees ,

the restaurant presents two types of signature dishes . Its tagines , which hail from North Africa , are cooked in a special earthenware pot — similar to a Dutch oven — in order to slow braise the meat in its own sauce . Casablanca offers varieties such as lemon chicken , vegetable lamb , and fish , but the tender honey lamb is a favorite among guests , simmered in sweet honey and spices along with apricots and prunes .

Traditional couscous dishes are also served , centered around proteins such as chicken , beef , merguez sausage , lamb shank or shrimp . But you can ’ t go wrong with the Couscous Royale , which allows you to taste a variety of meats by layering grilled beef and chicken skewers plus merguez and stewed vegetables over the pasta ( which has a rice-like texture ).

For a sweet finish to the meal , there are three options . Try the creme brulee with an optional shredded coconut topping , whole dates stuffed with rich almond paste or baklawa , an Algerian version of baklava that contains layers of flaky dough with ground almonds , drenched in honey after baking . Don ’ t be surprised if a steaming pot of tea makes its way to your table as well , ending your night with the same warmth and comfort you ’ ll find throughout your Casablanca experience . NBM

LEFT TWO PHOTOS : ABDER AMOKRANE ; RIGHT TWO PHOTOS : ASHLEY RYAN

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