Kif
"At first, the hookahs coiled in Kif’s windows suggest a pandering exotica. But the casbah-chic interior turns out to be genuinely romantic, with antique-red velvet banquettes and beaded-edge burlap curtains," writes Ligaya Mashan for the New York Times. Clinton Hill Foodie recommends starting with the "spinach and goat cheese 'cigars,' deep fried and served with sour cream. These were outstanding and might have been the best thing we tasted all night. If you like goat cheese, don't pass these up."
After visiting Kif a few times, Chowhound Mandu suggests, "Try the cous-cous royal. They're using farmer market meat and veggies -- when I went it had brussel sprouts, sweet potatos, and carrots in it. Generous portion. Ditto on the cookies/mint tea -- best dessert we've tried." And JJ Goode for New York magazine writes, "The substantial lamb tagine, cooked and served in the namesake cooking vessel with its distinctive conical top, might not compare to its Bay Ridge counterparts, yet its restrained honeyed sweetness and accompanying ultra-light couscous come closer than you’d expect." What's your take on this place?
Reviews (15)
11217 wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:05 PM
Big fan of this restaurant. Excellent food and service!
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:08 PM
Odd...never been here but "kif" is slang for hashish mixed with ground tobacco. I think the term comes from Morocco. Is this a Moroccan place?
Thats like calling a bbq place The Smoke Joint.
; )
wasder wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:20 PM
I have only had one meal here but it was great. The tagine was delicious, the cocktails potent, the atmosphere fun and the price reasonable. Want to go again soon.
GHB wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:25 PM
Wasder, why a value of only 3 when you seemed to like the food, service and ambiance so much?
island107 wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:38 PM
We stumbled upon Kif last year on Valentines Day just after it had opened. Lucky for us there was a table for 2. We fell in love with the authentic food, the decor and the very gracious owner. Been back many times and always had good food and friendly (if sometimes casual) service. The tagines are wonderful and special drinks are just that. The shared mint tea and cookies are a great way to finish the meal.
wasder wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:42 PM
GHB--I selected the choice marked "about right" which I thought matched the price I paid. I didn't realize it had a numeric value. Anyway, this restaurant is neither cheap nor overpriced and I think 3 is a good number for value, at least if someone reading this is trying to pick a restaurant based on their budget.
Schultz wrote a review on March 4, 2009 12:55 PM
GHB -- I always find the value choices confusing, and have done what Wasder does - choosing "just right", but when translated to a "3", it appears to be not such a great value. I think the value category could be reworked to make it clearer.
babs wrote a review on March 4, 2009 1:19 PM
In modern French slang the verb "kiffer" means to like something. It comes from the sensation experienced after smoking the afore-mentioned mixture. So if you like this place you can say, "Je kiff le Kif!"
StuyIvy wrote a review on March 4, 2009 1:47 PM
My husband and I really like Kif. The food and service are always good.
They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait if you go at a peak time.
dinobot wrote a review on March 4, 2009 3:03 PM
havent been yet but i do likes myself some couscous!
decent place w/ kids or not?
bedstuyhoya wrote a review on March 4, 2009 3:11 PM
Great food and service at a decent price...also great place to have a drink and smoke a little hookah after dinner! Sebastian, one of the hosts/server at Kif, used to run an amazing French Caribbean restaurant called Ivo & Lulu in Soho. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he moved to Brooklyn to join the Kif team. One of my favorite restaurants in BK. Absolutely recommend it.
goldie wrote a review on March 4, 2009 3:24 PM
bedstuyhoya - wait, did ivo & lulu close, and the former owner now owns/runs kif? i loved ivo & lulu, and based on their quality/prices and byob policy, would surely give kif a visit.
island107 wrote a review on March 4, 2009 3:32 PM
Dinobot,
There is a garden in the back. Inside is somewhat of an intimate space. Kif would not be my choice for younger kids -- menu or spacewise. You might want to peek at the menu and stop by in off hours for a tour.
lbm wrote a review on March 5, 2009 11:20 AM
Je kiff le Kif! This place is great.
bedstuyhoya wrote a review on March 5, 2009 5:14 PM
Goldie - no Ivo & Lulu is still around. I think the previous owners sold to some other guys. Same old BYOB policy, but the food and service is not the same since Sebastian’s departure.
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