Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Jason Braverman Imane Moroccan restaurant in Duluth serves up the Maghreb (red beets, potatoes, carrots, green beans and centered with shlada), front left, the assorted platter (kefta, chicken, beef, lamb chop and merguez), back, and the marakech tagine (lamb shank) braised with artichokes and sweet peas in Morocian sauce.

3455 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth

678-638-7990

www.imanerestaurant.com

-- Open since: November 2009

-- Owner: Imane Sannoun

-- Location: Imane Moroccan Restaurant is located in the Kroger shopping center at the corner of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.

-- Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays

Also open the first Monday of each month for Ladies' (only) Night with dance lessons (belly, Zumba and more) and cooking classes.

-- Atmosphere: Imane Moroccan Restaurant offers a true Moroccan atmosphere, with intricately detailed furniture, cushions and other decor. Imane commissioned the handcrafted furniture from Marakech.

Imane is the chef at her restaurant and buys spices and many other ingredients directly from Morocco.

"I opened this restaurant because I want Americans to know what Moroccan food tastes like," said the owner. "I love to cook. I cook here like I cook in my own home."

The spicy aromas are strong and enticing, and the featured tangines (beautiful cooking vessels designed to utilize steam, spices and natural juices to infuse dishes with flavor) are both appealing and delicious.

Catering and on-site parties available.

-- Menu: Every offering on Imane's extensive menu is authentically Moroccan, a fact in which she takes great pride. The spices used in preparing the dishes come directly from Morocco. The higher cost, according to the chef, is well worth the end result.

Imane also offers her customers Hookah pipes, an increasingly popular tobacco that is smoked through a tall, intricately designed water pipe.

-- Things you might not know: Imane also offers Moroccan wines, which can be difficult to find.