The sometimes-elusive appeal of couscous is demonstrated to telling effect at Original Tagines, alongside the skilful spicing & richly fruited flavours of Moroccan cuisine. It’s not smart or
immaculate, but the low-ceilinged dining room does have enough ornate artefacts to put customers in a receptive frame of mind – & when the little clay hats come off, the aromas do the rest. The
eponymous tagines might feature chicken with ginger, olives, herbs & the salty, spiky kick of preserved lemon, or lamb cooked in a black pepper sauce with prunes or apricots. Meanwhile, bowls
of light, fluffy couscous come studded with lamb, caramelised onions & raisins or vegetables with a saffron sauce. The starter list has a distinctly mid-East feel, & you can finish
authentically with pastries or orange-blossom rice pudding & mint tea.