Pairing Pastilla correctly — a note on orange blossom water drink

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Pastilla. I ordered it with orange blossom water drink and the richly perfumed elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. harissa in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Moroccan cuisine draws from Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and French influences. The a riad rooftop dinner in Marrakech is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Pastilla with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.