Chicago Restaurant Guide

Shokran: A Taste of Morocco comes to Old Irving ParkChicagoans will not have to venture too far to experience the unique culinary flavors of Moroccan cuisine now that Shokran (4027 W. Irving Park, 773-427-9130) has emerged onto the scene. One of the best new restaurants in town, its emphasis is on cuisine from the region of Fez, a city with a rich cultural and historical legacy. Shokran features authentic home cooking designed to strike a fancy to even the most novice palette. Shokran's menu consists of a number of classic Moroccan dishes, all with an affordable twist. Your dining experience can begin with Chicken Bastila ($6), baked phyllo dough layered with chicken, hard boiled eggs, and crushed almonds; or diners can feast on some of the homemade Moroccan dips like Taktouka ($4) roasted red peppers and tomato puree flavored with olive oil and Moroccan spices; Zaalouk ($4) roasted eggplant or the classic Hummus dish ($4). All appetizers are served with homemade pita or French bread. Some of the featured entrees include Lamb Couscous ($16) braised lamb in a savory tomato-vegetable sauce topped with a medley of seasonal vegetables; Moroccan Chicken Tagine ($14) chicken breast cooked in a tagine with a rich blend of saffron, olives and garnished with potato crisps; or the House Special Merguez Kebab, Moroccan sausage made from ground lamb, beef and an array of northern African spices. Patrons can easily forgot they are in Chicago as they enter this small, intimate space where the quaint and charming Moroccan ambiance adds its own flavor to the dining experience. The dining area features small intimate rooms with fabric and sumptuous pillow banquets encircling the room, colorful scarves draping the ceiling, and a variety of Moroccan artifacts and images adorning the walls. In short, this easily accessible (right off of the I-90 expressway on Irving Park Rd.) and affordable restaurant is a must try for those who enjoy good food. Shokran, in Mor