Simo's Licensed Moroccan Restaurant

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Address

Crowne Plaza Christchurch
Cnr Kilmore & Durham Streets
Christchurch
Region: Canterbury
Licence: Fully Licensed
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Contact

Phone: 03 377 5001
Website: www.simos.co.nz
Email: chef@simos.co.nz

Open

Tuesday - Saturday
Bookings from 6pm onwards

Comments

The rich tapestry of Morocco's history is best reflected in its cuisine.

Enchant your taste buds with the evocative flavours of an ancient world in the midst of contemporary and traditional Moroccan cuisine at Simo's new restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Christchurch.
Layers of herbs and spices, infused oils and fragrant waters, the sweetness of syrups, honeyed fruits and nuts, the pungent saltiness of preserved lemons and olives await you!

Come an experience a culinary journey with award winning chef Simo Abbari and Maître d Nick Penrose.

Overall DineOut Score based on 42 reviews

Total		8.1
Food		8.6
Dessert		8.1
Presentation		8.1
Service		7.7
Environment		8.0
Toilets		6.1
Child Friendly	Yes

Review by: plasticphork (2) on 23rd May 2010

Total		9.9
Food		10
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		10
Service		10
Environment		10
Toilets		9
Child Friendly	Kind of

My partner said we must go try Simo's restaurant after being told about the great platter and lemon chicken dish by one of her work mates. I hadn't a clue as to what to expect and she said it'd be her treat so who was I to resist.
We turned up to a Friday 7:30pm booking to a warm welcoming atmosphere, and a staff member on the desk who made us feel genuinely welcome.
First impressions of the dinning room was sheer amazement, after putting up with paying top dollar in other establishments only to tip-toe between tables and having to strategiclaly plan the easiest route to my own set of cutlery Simo's is a breath of fresh mountain air. There is ample space to comfortably waltz to your chair, yet the decor isnt so sparse as to resemble a Morrocan desert; its perfect.
Main Divide Reisling was the drop of the night, it suited my sweet tooth to a tee.
I cant remember the waitres's name or the matre d's, but what I did remember and will do for a long time is how good they were, they presented themselves when neccesary and did so with impecable timing.
First up came the breads and dip, the dukkah with pomegranite and olive oil was a sweet blish my tongue has not had before and the bowl of dukkah was soon empty. The entree, platter for two. I started with a beef meatball off the platter and my eyes lit up, across the table my partner's eyes did too as she bit into a mushroom. The flavours were something else, not overpowering and no way at all meek, they were dam tasty. A very generous platter that was packed with a variety of flavour.
For mains my partner ordered the lemon chicken b'stilla (reccomended by workmate). The size and presentation was spot on however after the platter she could only manage a couple mouthfuls, again the waitress was happy to put the dish in a doggie bag. As it happens this dish is beautifull the next day.
The star anaise and cinamon roasted duck was placed in front of me, portion size and presentation impecable. The flavour had me and my partner gob-smacked and talking about the dish for the rest of the night and next morning. The duck meat was thin cuts with some crispy and some tender, just right. The sauce was perfect. A slight sweetness, extremely more-ish and the highlight of the night. After the platter I had doubts I could finish my main course but the duck's sauce erased any thoughts of being beaten by a duck and a dead one at that. My partner was overcome with wonderment at how tasty the duck and sauce was, especially when a slice of pear joins the two on the tongue.
Too full and extremely satisfied from two delightful courses we waved the white flag when faced with desert and made good use of the space between tables to wobble out of the dinning room.
The duck meal is my new benchmark for flavour when I go out. The service is perfect.
I must add that I have previously had Simo's Deli takeaway food and thought little of it. Thier restaurant is another story altogether.

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Review by: HelenP (4) on 20th April 2010

Total		6.8
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		6
Environment		7
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Kind of

My mum and I were in town on foot looking for a restaurant. I had been here once before a few years ago, but they have since moved to the crown plaza. now we were keen for morroccan, so we had a weee walk!
Kind of a weird setting in the hotel, but once inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Very friendly maitre d', took the time to tell us all about the owner and morroccan cuisine, then passed us on to our waiter who had his own wee spiel. Again very friendly, but both I and my mum felt a bit uncomfortable when he asked for our names and addressed us by them the whole night...a bit weird. (Service rating would be much higher if not for this.)
However the food was very tasty and filling, no room for dessert, even after that walk. We were also given a complementary starter, a morroccan bread roll with olive oil, dukka and a tomato/ capsicum dip.

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Review by: krisyen (37) on 13th January 2010

Total		7.6
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		N/A

Known as the restaurant with the blue door I've always wanted to try this restaurant. I heard from a colleague that the whole dining experience is amazing in that they show you their way of dining, but unfortunately we didn't get shown that the night that we dined. My friend had the lamb tagine and I had the fish, both were nice but the tagine was definitely better - would recommend getting that.

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Review by: A fussy Diner (42) on 10th August 2009

Total		8.6
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		7

This is the restaurant I always look forward to visiting when I go to Christchurch. It's a bit hard to find but it is worth looking for it. The food is clearly prepared with great skills and care - the platter as starter is absolutely fabulous. One thing you cannot miss after meal is Moroccan tea - it is incredibly delicious! Two thumbs up!

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Review by: ayjax (1) on 25th June 2009

Total		9.1
Food		10
Dessert		9
Presentation		9
Service		8
Environment		10
Toilets		5
Child Friendly	Yes

Although it is best suited to romantic dining, I took my children for dinner at Simo's and they and I had a wonderful time. It is my son's favourite restaurant - he ate up everything on the plate! The Platter as an entree was fabulous, the lamb tagine main is superb! The desert, chocolate stuffed figs, was delicious - all in all, everything fitted the 'Moroccan experience' that the menu suggested we would have. A+

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Review by: meat'n2veg (23) on 19th June 2009

Total		7.0
Food		8
Dessert		7
Presentation		8
Service		5
Environment		7
Toilets		4

After all the hype, and having tried to book here often, we finally made it. Even though it was a Thursday night I was surprised to find the restaurant barely half full.
We were both hungry, so were keen to eat quickly, and they obliged by being prompt with the meals. We shared the king prawn and crab briouats entre, which was very good. My partner had the chicken dish which she felt was quite small with very little chicken, while I had the lamb tagine, which was a lovely combination of flavours and well cooked. It wasn't very hot though, and by the time I was finishing it, was barely luke warm. We finished off with the combination chocolate desert for two, (can't remember the name!), and had mixed feelings. The chocolate and hazelnut torte was a treat, the mousse was a bit "heavy", the chocoate filled figs were good, and the home made chocolate icecream could've been Tip Top for all I could tell. We finished off with excellent coffees.
After all the hype about Simos I left feeling a bit deflated. While the food was very good, (not big portions, but adequate if you want to go through the menu), we were both felt cold, and just wanted to eat up and get warm. The young woman who "welcomed" us was brusque and failed to manage a smile all night, which added to the frosty feeling. Maybe she was cold too!

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Review by: Serenity (1) on 1st June 2009

Total		4.8
Food		5
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		2
Environment		7
Toilets		3

Came here on Saturday evening for Mother's day celebration. have been here once before and thoroughly enjoyed the meal and exemplary staff service so decided to return. Evening was of to a slight unpleasant start, was greeted by a frosty host (no smile at all on her smile), was surprised by this since Simo's is well-known for friendly staff. Luckily, a more friendly and knowledgeable staff took our order and went through the menu with us in details. Ordered the platter for 2, enjoyed it very much; the dips and the bread were divine. The evening turned good to bad from then on. Having started our meal at 6:30 and finished our platter rather quickly, we waited an hour before our main was served. I over heard that the table next to us (who came later then us) was on a time limit and so was not surprised that their mains came rather quickly after their entrees. But after waiting 45mins, the table next to us have finished their mains already, another table of new guests have been served their entree, and we were still not served with mains. Finally I inquired after the waitress about the est. of our meal and she said it was soon, it arrived after 15mins and slightly out of warmth. I had the beef kebab and it was over cook, and the meat was hard. I had hoped to try the chocolate and fig that looked so delicious on the menu but mum and I lost our appetite after being waiting so long to be served. When I went to pay, I told the reception the amount of time we had to wait for our mains to which she replied it was "NORMAL" for them to serve mains an hour late so that the guest can digest the platter. Why then did no one tells us or check up on us during our hour wait time??? We made it clear that it was our first time having the platter. The host then said if I wanted the main right after the meal then I should let them know next time. The next day I checked with my friend who actually had the platter many times and never had to wait ah HOUR for their main to arrive. The experience had been very off putting and will not return.

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Review by: Rufus [DineOut VIP] (69) on 2nd May 2009

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

The two things to remember from the evening were delicious starters and mains and the exemplary service with only a one very minor fault.
The starters were calamari with a nice spicy salad and a mushroom and cheese/yoghurt based dish. Both were full of taste that meant that they savoured. With the prompt and friendly service before and after this course including a palate cleanser of orange and cinnamon juice, the evening was set to be nice. We were not disappointed by the mains as the chicken cooked with preserved lemon in filo pastry along with additional chicken was very tasty and the barley, pumpkin and tomato bake was also very tasty and filling.
The pudding looked good especially if you like chocolate (we were too full). The wine list was good and reasonably priced as were the arabian juices.
The only minor fault was the second glass of wine was somewhat on the low side in quantity (subjective as glass is large one for red wine).

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Review by: Sal Monella (16) on 15th March 2009

Total		8.5
Food		9
Dessert		9
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		9
Toilets		4

Mrs SM and I have been here before, and I thought I'd done a review of Simo's but apparently not.
We went on a midweek night, expecting a leisurely evening with well-presented and beautifully-flavoured food - we weren't disappointed either. We love the ambience of the place; quiet, unhurried and unobtrusive service but most of all the flavours!!
Our entree of a mixed platter plus breads and dips had us guessing what spices and flavours we could identify in the vast selection of starters - scallops, prawns, mussels, squid, stuffed vine leaves, falafel, cheese, aubergine (why do we STILL have to call it 'eggplant' in NZ??), artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and cheese. The dips were pretty standard (hummous, oil with pomegranate reduction, tapenade, roasted aubergine and something else that I can't remember) but delicately flavoured.
I was out of luck with the beef, which wasn't available, so I didn't get the fillet steak as I'd had the first time we went there. I was tempted by the sound of the smoked barley risotto, but ultimately mains were a lamb tagine each - tender and great flavours. We erred on the side of caution and decided to forego a bowl of couscous to mop up all the juices so as to leave room for dessert - Mrs SM's speciality really.
Not being blessed with a sweet tooth, dessert is normally something to fill in the time between finishing the main and going but I have to admit that the chocolate-stuffed figs finished off the evening nicely. well, apart from the mint tea and Turkish delight following it.
We first went to Simo's not long after it opened (4 - 5 years ago?), and last Wednesday was only the second time. I wonder why the heck we've left it so long??

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Review by: Hot Toddy (13) on 11th March 2009

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Kind of

We had a fantastic meal and the food was presented nicely and arrived at a good spead so we wern't having to rush and thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. Great Decor and nice location deffinately worth experiencing and we will deffinately return soon.

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Review by: Chris Benson (37) on 7th March 2009

Total		8.4
Food		8
Dessert		9
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		7

When I review a restaurant that has as many as this one does, I try to add some value for people who might follow. If you are looking for a pleasant evening with food thats something different, then this is a place to go to. THe service was only JUST a hint below exceptional - polite, and consistent, and not obtrusive at all. Lovely. The food is also, quite simple but as you would hope, flavoursome and well cooked. A nice wine list, something there for all tastes. Just overall a really nice place to have a couple of hours to sit and chat, something you cant do a t some restaurants. A must visit !

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