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The Sultan's Tent & Cafe Moroc
Categories: Restaurants Moroccan Restaurants French Moroccan, French
49 Front Street EToronto, ON M5E 1B3
Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core
(416) 961-0601
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 1 am
Sat 12 pm - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
53 reviews for The Sultan's Tent & Cafe Moroc
Review Highlights
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"The live belly dancing entertainment is a unique addition..." In 12 reviews -
"We did the four course menu and I was soooo full afterwards." In 3 reviews -
"Mango Salmon - This dish was gorgeous in presentation." In 3 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Adele W.
Pickering, ON
4/20/2012
We purchased a deal through TravelZoo and went with another couple. I've wanted to try this place for a long time.
The atmosphere was fantastic and food was wonderful and just when you didn't think it could get any better... queue the belly dancing show!
What a wonderful evening we had. So glad we went and we will definitely be back! -
Review from Jarita L.
Markham, ON
4/5/2012
over hyped, over priced. If you're going for the novelty of the belly dancing find a different place with better food.
Dinner was mediocre (bordering on just plain bad). Food tasted like it was sitting in a buffet table tray all day and warmed up to be served. I think this place is a giant tourist trap for its novelty (atmosphere etc.) -
Review from Jessica H.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2011
I was very excited to come here for dinner. I have heard such great things. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was great, the music was pleasant and they had a great cocktail menu.
The reason this review is not getting 5 stars is because the waiter that served my table of 3 was very poor service. After coming by to ask for what drinks we would like it took him a half hour to come back to ask what we wanted for dinner. We had wine glasses that never got cleared throughout the whole dinner, we had to ask for water a few times before he remembered to bring out water. Dirty plates piled up without being cleared even though he had come by the table multiple times to bring out more food or drinks. He wasn't overly nice and not rude, he was just clearly not on the ball which made unpleasant. -
Review from Faezah W.
12/21/2011
My date brought me here, at first we got lost LOL shame on us but then we finally found it. The setting is dark, arabian nights theme. Candles everywhere with pillows everywhere with the seating. Its quite romantic. We came here for dinner, you can either choose from the dinner for 2 special or regular. We got the dinner for 2. its 40$ per person. You basically get to choose one side from each section, app, main and dessert. I dont remember the names exactly of the dishes we got.. but i remember getting one of the soups, tasted amazing and comes in a large bowl, vegetarian friendly. main dish was this vegetable platter and dessert was creme brulee. soooo tasty. Since its Moroccan, I wouldnt recommend veterinarians or vegans to come here. Your options are very limited. The menu is pretty heavy with the ground beef. The food was delish and very filling.
We also paired everything with white wine( forgot the name once again) LOL
and during ur main dish, if you get the special dinner for 2, you have belly dancers dancing to a few songs for extra romance and entertainment. -
Review from Myrem D.
Mississauga, ON
5/30/2011 3 photos
This place is overrated.
It seems most people just like coming here to say that they've been here.
I can only assume it's the belly dancing show & Moroccan theme/decor that makes it oh -so-popular. Any one that has had Moroccan food before would know it's just A-OK. NOTHING more. in my personal opinion, the added hoopla does not equate to the food but more for the experience.
Coming from a place where both are easily available. I wasn't too impressed.
It was for a friends goodbye dinner.
We had the four-course dinner.
Order:
Harrira - some sort of lentil soup with kidneys & chic peas. - Deliciously savoury. It's got the perfect proportion of solid and broth. I really enjoyed this soup with a quick squeeze of a lemon slice. ^_^
Beef Burgogne - YUMM. Sirloin strips with celery, onion and a mash P on the side.Delicious!. The meat was SO tender. The sauce was a bit sweet but the onions and celery totally complemented it.
Hummus - not bad. It comes in a long plate with 3 diff types of hummus (red pepper, classic chickpea and black bean. The portions are shockingly small. Unlike other restaurants, this isn't sharing friendly. The bread was soft and very fluffy.
Crab cake - Very good. Again, lots of sweet action going on. Not sure how I feel about sweet and crab together. The plate was tiny. Again, not sharing friendly. The frog legs were SO DRY!. I've never tried them before so I'm not sure if that's just how frog leg's taste. dry and crispy??
Mango Salmon - This dish was gorgeous in presentation. The salmon was nicely but it couldve been cooked for a bit longer. I found it to be a bit colder than the rest of the meal. It came with rice and veggies. Which weren't too bad. Nothing exciting.
Chkn Marakesh - I was so disappointed with this dish. Presentation was nice. The chicken was way too sweet. The onions on top made it even sweeter. This dish turned me off of couscous. It really didn't go well with the chicken and veggies. The veggies were turnips and sweet potatoes. I don't know if I would classify 4 chunks of root and potatoes as "side veggies".
Dessert:
Chocolate Oasis - way too rich. Helps that it comes in a small portion. Now THIS you can share with someone else if your just looking for that small bit of sugary finish
brulee - delicious but the body was a bit heavier and creamier than
most brulee's.
My favourite part is the mint jasmine tea. It's delicious. The old style kettle is SO gorgeous ^_^
The service was fantastic. We sat in the tent area for the show with the table for 2. Along the hall, there was 4 tables of 2. The rest was meant for larger groups. I'm not sure why anyone would suggest a table in the hallway. For 2 people, it's not very comfortable. I really really dock marks out for this. It really hurts the experience.
The bathroom are closer to the front door and I really like how they make a point of telling you this as they walk you to your table. POINTS~.
I wouldn't come back unless someone from out of town wants an exotic experience. Even then, I'd suggest for Korean BBQ over this, any day.
xoxo
M. -
Review from K V.
Thornhill, ON
5/13/2011
A search for a nice entertaining restaurant led me to Sultan's Tent, I was hoping to savor the atmosphere of harem, enjoy some belly dancing and perhaps dive into Moroccan flavors. I imagined that Front street location would mean top bucks but was secretly praying it will be worth it. Oh no it's not.
The ambiance is alright: silk tents lit by a few lanterns, lots of soft cushions, mint tea poured from up high into tall ornate glass, after a drink or two you believe the illusion of harem.
The dancing is almost nonexistent. The show is supposed to last 30 minutes. But because there is only one dancer who has to run up and down the hall to dance for every group you only see her up close in spans of 30-40 seconds and then she moves to another tent. The actual dancing lasts about 10 minutes then she runs to each tent and tries to get the ladies to dance with her, while men are completely abandoned by her attention. Is it interesting to watch general public shake their winter assets? I don't think so. So after the first ten minutes of trying to catch a glimpse of the dancer you return to your food and forget about her. That kind of a show is definitely not suited for the guy groups, they will get bored to death and no amount of alcohol will help.
The food is pretty average, you can get same quality for half the price. The only real hit was rack of lamb, they serve you 6 ribs which is a good amount for a man. The couscous was rather sour. We laughed at Moroccan treats which were 2 tiny cookies and 2 orange slices sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, who was so brave as to call it Moroccan?
The bill came to 60pp w/o alcohol. I did not get the satisfaction from the food nor the show. Overall 1 star for decor, 1 star for rack of lamb and 0.5 stars for the presence of the dancer. Never again. -
Review from Daphne B.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2011
Cafe Moroc: Ventured for lunch last week with a friend during the week.
Atmosphere was nice and relaxing, we sat at the front near the window, very welcoming and nice music in the background. Service was impeccable... menu had a great selection for lunch, plus they have a prix fix for $15 (saw quite a few patrons choosing this option) . I decided to try a couple of things. The presentation of the food was great, it was fresh, my beef baguette was good ... but I think I was expecting something Moroccan (?) I could have made this at home. The fries are fantastic and spiced up... the "Moroccan cigars" maftoul were fine, but again maybe I expected more raisin or nuts and more spice. I did not like the crab cakes at all and found them too salty. Honestly, the food was not bad it just was nothing special. I may give it another try. -
Review from Thomas H.
5/21/2011
If you go here, it's for the bellydancing only.
The food is mediocre at best. It's very expensive and they have "upgrade options" which are extra. (they are sneaky about it, with very small font)
The bellydancing was fun to watch. But would it have killed them to do right by the food? Not even worth it to get into specifics here. -
Review from Parv D.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2011 1 photo
Hit The Sultan's Tent last night with 6 other friends for a bit of Moroccan fare. We opted for the $39.95 four-course menu, over their Winterlicious spread....and it was definitely worth every dollar.
From what I was told, the Winterlicious diners had to be seated at the front of the restaurant, while us four-coursers were escorted to the fancier and more intimate digs at the back -- chiffon drapes, dimmed lighting, and ofcourse, the belly dancing.
Oh and the food!! The Harira was a flavourful soup with a mild, spicy kick, and did not disappoint. This was followed by the delectable 'Moroccan Cigars', which were crunchy and flavourful. For my main, I went with the Braised Lamb (given that mutton and lamb form the base of Moroccan cuisine, it would be wrong to choose otherwise!). The tender, fall-of-the-bone lamb shank served on a bed of tagine seasoned couscous proved to be the true pièce de résistance. Absolutely, absolutely delicious!
We sampled the three different desserts off each other's plates, but the Brulee Royale topped with crushed pistachios was the real crowd pleaser. A shot of hot and minty Moroccan tea made for a perfect end to a fantastic meal.
The server did a great job with recommendations, the staff were really friendly, and the service was quick, with courses coming out before we could clean the crumbs off our shirts. The Middle Eastern decor, with its rich, dark colours and soft lighting, created a beautiful, ambient setting for a cosy, chilled-out dinner with friends.
I'm only taking away one star because, for me, the entertainment fell a little short. Having witnessed my fair share of Middle Eastern belly dancers, what diners at The Sultan's Tent were offered was more contemporary and less shimmy. Even the boys at my table were bored after a while. Don't let that sway your judgement though - she still does put on a show.
Overall - I've been meaning to dine at this restaurant for a while, and our dining experience definitely made it worth the wait. -
Review from Sascha K.
Hamilton, ON
7/6/2011
ok, so... I seriously LOVE this place!
The first time I went was actually on a 1st date... LOL but each time I went after it has only gotten better. It really does make you feel like you're in Casablanca! Amazing atmosphere... great food (lots of options), awesome drinks and the bathrooms are beautiful!! makes for fun pictures! I always have a great time there :)!! -
Review from Melissa G.
North York, ON
10/19/2010
Okay okay, I know a lot of people who have reviewed this place had some distaste towards it, but I had my first Sultan's Tent experience this past weekend and I have to say that it was a good one!
I have heard of Sultan's Tent for years and finally got a chance to try it this weekend when my friends and I got together for dinner.
All four of us love being HUGE Toronto foodies, so it was natural for us to try Sultan's Tent because it was a new resto for all of us.
I always a palette for unique food, so my SET MENU, four course meal definitely hit the spot!
For my first course, I started out light with the Harira, which is a tomato soup with a mixture of chick peas, kidney beans, lentils and a ton of Moroccan spice.
For my second course, I ordered the Maftoul, which was INCREDIBLE! Maftoul is a hand rolled Moroccan cigar stuffed with spiced beef, cashews and raisins - all topped with a delicious chipotle aioli!
For my third course, I ordered the Coucous Royale, which is a savory and spicy mixture of chicken, spicy non-pork sausage, grilled lamb chops and is nicely paired with root veggies. This dish was to die for! So much flavour and such amazing tastes all mixed together
To top off my amazing meal, I ordered the Brulee Royale as my dessert and fourth and final course. I am such a sucker for creme brule and am always searching for it wherever I go, so this was such a sweet treat! It was literally so sweet and creamy!
Yes, I can admit that the set menu price of at least $40 can be pricey and that the belly dancing show only consists of ONE belly dancer at a time.
However, it is a nice cultural experience and an interesting food experience.
I do recommend this to people looking to mix up their typical dining out routine and try something a little bit different with a little more spice! -
Review from Heather M.
9/1/2010
Make no mistake, Sultan's Tent is only here for gimmicky entertainment and ambience, not for the food. The bellydancers are entertaining, but they lose their novelty pretty quickly (more amusing are the people dancing stiffly with them. :D)
I came here for a friend's birthday and ordered the following:
Harira: A good and hearty soup. I like it.
Maftoul: nice and crispy! I liked this. A tad on the greasy side though.
Couscous royale: The sausages were undercooked and had a gross texture. The meat also tasted like it may have gone bad. Lastly, I've never been a fan of tagine (I should've remembered that before ordering it!)
Moroccan treats: Dry as heck.
Dinner came out to about $50 per person. Note that there are a bunch of "upgrade/upsell" options that they try to push on you.
The only really awesome part of the meal was that for my friend's birthday cake, they brought out a dessert in the shape of a fez. A-MAZE-ING. (the tassel was made of chocolate) -
Review from Yvonne T.
Went to the Sultan's Tent to conclude my slew of Winterlicious adventures with the ladies at my office.
As you walk in to the restaurant, the front end is a café which is nicely lit from the natural light that shines through the window with a nice view of the street. But as you venture farther inside, the lighting gets dimmer, and you drift further and further away from the world and end up inside the Sultan's Tent. Dimly lit, and draped with chiffon curtains, the Sultan's Tent gives you a semi-private dining feel as each "tent" seats about 2 parties of 6.
The server was very accomodating and attentive to food allergies. Since we had all had the time to peruse the menu beforehand, we ordered promptly.
Of the appetizers, we experienced:
Maftoul (aka Moroccan "cigars")
Harira (Tomato-based chickpea soup)
Café Greens
I had the Maftoul (aka Moroccan "cigars"), and it was quite yummy. The ground beef was surprisingly tender, and the cumin added a nice spice to the cigars. The phyllo was nice and crispy without being overly oily. The chipotle aioli was excellent!
For mains, we ordered:
Mango Salmon (w/ side of moroccan veggies and saffron basmati rice)
Maroc Barbeque Chicken Wrap (w/ side of fries)
Maroc Steak Baguette (w/ side of fries or café greens)
I had the Mango Salmon. It was served on a bed of saffron basmati rice. For starters, the rice was cold. The vegetables were only slightly warm but very hearty. The salmon was surprisingly tender, not overcooked nor undercooked. The crunchiness of the mango and cucumber from the mango salsa added an element of freshness to the dish. I can't comment on the Maroc Steak Baguette or the Moroccan Barbeque Chicken Wrap as I did not get to taste them. However, it should be noted that the server did not ask us how we liked our steak done, and one of the ladies mentioned that it was probably because the steak was so thin. She had also indicated that the steak was a little bit overcooked.
As for dessert, we indulged in:
Berry & Caramel Apple Crisp
Brûlée Royale
Maroc Treats
I decided to try the Berry & Caramel Apple Crisp... Wait, it was a Berry and Apple Crisp? I almost forgot that was what it was because there were definitely no berries in mine. The dish disappointed me because it was not hot. No I'm not asking for right out of the oven hot, it was cold. Who serves a cold apple crisp? A few of the apples were burnt, and the cream had been overwhipped and had lost its volume. It was the saddest whipped cream I had ever seen.
I would give the Sultan's Tent a 2.5 star rating for its food, 3.5 stars for its service, and a 4 stars for the ambiance. The neglect of attention to detail was what ruined my experience at the Sultan's Tent. Cold food is one big turn off, especially when it is f-f-f-reezing outside! -
Review from Derek L.
Oakville, ON
11/22/2010
High marks here for originality and experience. I was here with a big group, and I honestly don't remember how good the food was. Which probably isn't saying much about the food. But they had belly dancers, and a really cool interior decor.
I was wearing a blazer during dinner and was hot as hell. So just keep that in mind when you dine here. Be prepared to want to strip something off to keep cool.
Overall, had a good time. Worth checking out for sure.
Derek -
Review from Kris L.
11/1/2010
We went to the Sultans tent with another couple and had a very good time. The Moroccan food was very good and coupled with the desert tent style dining room it was truly memorable.
Midway through the evening belly dancers file into the dining room and dance for the room completing the Arabian Nights feel. If you are looking for a fun place to go by yourselves or even better with a group try it. -
Review from Mason L.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
I would have to agree with all the reviews I've seen so far - this restaurant is overpriced, has very mediocre food quality, spotty service, and unremarkable entertainment.
~~Value of the Food~~
I'd heard good things about Sultan's Tent so wanted to give it a try, and when I saw the TravelZoo "$49 for $100 of food+drink" I jumped on the deal. (2x40$ dinners and 2x$10 liqueur aperitifs)
However, the quality of the food decreased with each course that arrived.
1st course: My girlfriend and I both tried the Harira chickpea soup, which was delicious. We loved it.
2nd course: The pita trio with hummus was decent, but the "pastry cigars" filled with beef and spice were like a bland beef spring roll.
3rd course: The lamb feast was ok, nothing special. Slightly dry meat, decent lamb flavor. Veggies were unimpressive - like other reviewers pointed out, "root veggies" means carrots and potatoes. My girlfriend had the chicken Marrakesh which had a delicious-sounding description but the actual dish was fairly bland and the chicken overcooked.
4th course: a laughable "morrocan dessert" plate with 2 cookies that tasted like they came from the tins at the pharmacy, and two slices of orange with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. I fully agree with other reviews I saw that found this a bit shocking - even at Japanese restaurants they at least give you a full orange. And it's not dry.
~~Spotty service~~
Our waiter was attentive and timely during the first 30 minutes and the last 30 minutes of our 2+hour meal, but for the hour in the middle he didn't even come over or look at our table. It wasn't busy.. we visited on a Tuesday night at 8:30PM. There were maybe 8 tables with other people. We went 45 minutes between 2nd and 3rd courses without anyone even collecting our empty plates. Aside from this, he did a decent job and was polite and explained everything well.
I have to say, though, charging a mandatory 15% gratuity was unacceptable in my opinion when neither the menu nor the TravelZoo voucher I had said anything about the amount of gratuity required. We were a table for 2, and while I would've been happy to tip 15% on the full amount before the discount, I didn't appreciate being **forced** to give 15%.
~~Entertainment~~
The 1 bellydancer that came out worked the room for about half an hour. During the later half of her performance, she would stop at tables to get the ladies to join her. She would teach them a few moves and let them dance with her for a few minutes. She was friendly, encouraging, and gave everyone a fun time. Sure, I've seen much better belly-dancing but it was fun nonetheless. Nothing special.
~~Ambiance~~
Beautiful interior décor . The washrooms were fancy and clean. Our table had comfy cushions on the benches. During the half hour of belly-dancing the room got very very dark though.. too dark to even see your food, I couldn't tell the meat from the sauce. Considering how loud the music was during the belly-dancing performances, it became awkwardly quiet for the entire night afterwards.
-----------------
I am not surprised that Sultan's Tent has explored Groupon-style vouchers, because I certainly wouldn't recommend this restaurant at full price. I hope that they improve their quality of food and value for money (we didn't even get any of the insanely overpriced upgrades) because with such a prime location and niche concept it seems like a waste at the moment. Unless I hear that something has been changed for the better, I definitely will not go back. -
Review from Jay G.
Toronto, ON
8/12/2009
I get that it is a show and dinner but that doesn't mean you should charge these prices. The dinner was mediocre and the "show" was a single girl belly dancing around to different tables.
If you come here for summerlicious or winterlicious don't expect much as you will be seated in the "cafe" section near the entrance that basically seems like a glamorized coffee shop with a long bar. Tiny, two person round tables and a decor that has a Moroccan theme but very far from being a portal to Morocco. White chairs and a mirror is what you get. The Yelp picture of the door is the exact size of their "cafe".
I came for summerlicious but decided that this "experience" wasn't for me. So I "upgraded" to the back, I found this process similar to getting a lap dance as you pay more and the lady with the shiny clothes leads you towards the darker area with long couches, pillows, and funky music. Very VIP room like.
The decor in the back was laid out quite nicely. Separate tents for each dining table. I use the term dining table loosely as these dining table are the same size as those tiny coffee tables at the front but cost $15 a head more. The lighting is very dim and not a window in sight. There are fake plants scattered around and cool looking palm leaf ceiling fans.
Service was pretty dismal as you are confronted with the smug, sarcastic, and slightly too cool actor type of server. He was nice but not very engaging or personable. Although, he did have extensive knowledge of the menu. He was also very quick, so quick that I found it hard to ask any questions or for a water refill as his back would be turned and his feet walking away the instant you see him.
Food, this is where the restaurant pissed me off. Complete failure. Every single dish sounded appetizing and interesting but the execution of these dishes were done so sloppily. Too salty, no flavor, over cooked, underdone, the list goes on. I find this food similar to food found in banquet halls. Dishes created on a large scale and then plated separately. There was a large amount of food but no dish sticks out in my mind as being done well. A shame especially considering the price.
The belly dance, the supposed star of the show. It's a girl dancing around with a short vest on. Really, I've had better food and seen better dancing at a strip club. I wasn't looking for anything spectacular but the mix of poor food and service didn't excite me enough for a mediocre belly dance to entertain me. Then they kick you out once dessert comes because there's another "booking". They book tables based on the belly dance so everyone eats around the same time and gets kicked around the same time so the turnover goes quickly.
Overall, it was a waste of money and I will never go back. $45/head and extra cost for the appetizing menu options that barely taste of anything good? I'll pass, thanks. Take the money you would've spent here and go to Pravda across the street, you'll leave with a nice buzz off premium vodka. -
Review from Tanya N.
5/17/2011
This was one of those places that I never really bothered checking out since it seemed more like a tourist trap but figured I try it out since it's been there ever since I could remember. I assumed it couldn't be that bad. Walking in I was greeted by the hostess and advised that my friend made reservations. She didn't have it on list so she went to the second hostess further in (I guess they have a 2nd one for the 'Tent' area...?) Anyway, after a bit of confusion they found my reservation and were seated by the window. Service was prompt - we got our food very quickly.
Food was a downer. I had the Cous Cous Royale that comes with a bed of couscous with pomegranate glazed chicken, three spicy merguez sausages, grilled lamb and root vegetables. The chicken tasted a bit dry and didn't taste the glaze at all. It actually looked like there wasn't glaze on it at all. The sausages and lamb were also on the dry side. Everything was lacklustre but the waitress was nice and let my friend and I catch up long after we settled the bill (though the cafe area was pretty empty).
I can't say that I was disappointed since I was somewhat expecting a mediocre meal...just wished I was proven wrong. -
Review from Rana L.
8/1/2010 14 photos
About a 3.5 - 4. I was here for summerlicious 2 years ago (Cafe Moroc). It was def. a 4 +. I remember everyone being very kind courteous & the manager even stopped by to speak w/ my group. The food was amazing then so I was really looking forward to coming here as a friend was having a stagette (dinner & show).
We were supposed to be on the main floor but because the air conditioner was down that day we were moved to the basement. I think it was the manager who helped moved us down as we were waiting for at least 15 mins even though reservations had heen made in advance & none of the staff did n e thing about it. The basement was another area w/ nice moroccan decor (although one pal didn't think so lol). It was dimly lit..so my photos were absolute crap.
The show was alright although I thought it was a bit short. The BELLY dancer (please see pic :D) danced around the room for about 5 mins then went around each table. She even got the bride & bm's to dance around a lil.
Dinner was starting at $ 45 up (they should update the website it says $ 39.95 still). There were four courses. I just didn't like how we had to pay a little extra for certain dishes so it restricted me a little but I tried to keep within the regular menu. I ordered the...
Sliced Smoked Duck Breast Salad - I didn't mind paying $ 4 or so extra as the Harira or bowl of olives did not seem as appetizing to me. Some of the girls ordered the olives and said it was a bit salty.
Hummus & Zaalouk - trio of hummus including traditional black bean & roasted red pepper, roasted eggplant and tomato puree. Fresh cilantro & served with pita. This was very interesting & it was nice trying the various flavours.
Braised Lamb - slow braised lamb shank, served with tagine seasoned couscous with a rich prune demi glace, topped with preserved lemon and toasted almonds. The meat was so tender it literally slid off the bone as one yelper mentioned. It was delicious! I almost wanted to ask for a box to take the bone home for my dog as it was crazy large lol The third course was definitely filling.
Brulee Royale - I absolutely adore eating crème brulee so I did not mind paying nearly $ 3 extra. It did not disappoint.
Overall, the food was quite good & I would come back again though only for special occasions as I'm a frugal eater. I was still stuffed the next morning & wasn't hungry until noon time! -
Review from Jason V.
North York, ON
9/16/2011
Great atmosphere, decor and food was great. The live entertainment kicked it up a notch. Great date restaurant
-
Review from Melanie C.
Oakville, ON
7/27/2009
A handful of people of recommended I try the Sultan's Tent and I finally had the opportunity last night.
It was a pleasant to surprise to find out casual attire was acceptable in Café Maroc, the front part of the restaurant, though I noticed quite a few people were very dressed up for the tent part of the restaurant, likely for a special occasion. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Moroccolicious menu, which is just like a Summerlicious menu - 3-course dinner for $25. I believe it's on until the beginning of September.
It was extremely dark inside, so we were lucky to get a window seat right at the front of the café section. The hostess explained to us that you have the option of ordering à la carte or ordering off the Moroccolicious menu when you dine at Café Maroc. If you wish to dine in the Sultan's Tent, you have a 4 course meal starting at $39.95 and will be entertained with belly dancing. We chose the Café.
I ordered the duck breast and mango salad for my appetizer, which was alright, but I highly recommend the Maftoul - a Moroccan crispy eggroll.
For the main course, I highly recommend the beef ribs. I don't think I've ever tasted a meat more tender or more flavourful. The vegetables that accompanied the ribs were pretty good, but the meat was definitely the highlight. I also had a taste of their chicken and couscous dish. The highlight of that dish was the topping of onions and some sort of sauce. Again, lots of flavour.
Dessert was a crème brûlée for me. It was definitely one of the better crème brûlée's I have had - the top was done nicely, but I found it a little on the heavy side and couldn't finish it all. The Moroccan treats (the other option for dessert) wasn't overly exciting.
The service was great. The food arrived impressively quickly and our waiter made sure to check on us at least once per course, but wasn't bothering us too often.
I'm looking forward to dining in the Tent to experience the belly dancing. -
Review from Andrea W.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2008
I was invited to The Sultan's Tent for a triple date last week. I had never heard of the place (and neither had Yelp Toronto) so I consulted my other standby for online civilian restaurant reviews, the Chowhound forum.
As I read the reviews, I grew concerned. The predominating opinion was "avoid at all costs". I understood that I would be dining at an overpriced touristy gimmick of a restaurant with bad service and even worse food. Nobody had anything good to say about this place, but since I was an invitee and not the organizer of the gathering, there was nothing I could do.
I arrived expecting the worst. Straight off, I saw that the faux Moroccan decor of the Sultan's Tent is something special - the seating is on plush couches heaped with cushions, lengths of silk are draped overhead like tents. It is definitely gimmicky but I dug the romantic atmosphere. The tables in the tent areas were a little awkward to eat from, however.
The Sultan's Tent proper has a prix fixe menu: $40 for four courses (the Cafe Maroc at the front of the restaurant is a la carte). There are supplementary costs for some of the pricier selections, so you could end up spending $20 on top of the fixed menu. I had base price items for everything but dessert.
The first course is your choice of light starters like soup, salad or a dish of olives. I had the haria, a rustic tomato and chickpea soup which had been much maligned by the Chowhounders. It was delicious and spicy.
Next round, more appetizer-y selections like crab cakes, pastries, and such. My maftoul, Moroccan beef spring rolls, were beautifully presented. I loved them - awesome texture!
The entrée course is where the extra charges can get dangerous. Add $10 to your bill for the rack of lamb or seafood royale or $15 for the fillet mignon. I chose the Moroccan beef ribs: I was served two huge, tasty ribs cooked to perfect tenderness. The accompanying veggies were also excellent.
Once the main courses arrived, the lights dimmed and a bellydancer came out to gyrate and slink around the room. She danced well but her vacant eyes betrayed her disinterest in the spectacle. She did try to involve various diners in her shimmying and bouncing (birthday celebrants, bachelorettes and enthusiastic others). My problem with the dance segment of the evening was that the lighting was so low, I couldn't see to eat the luscious rib dinner in front of me!
I should mention that there was no sign of the poor service or the long waits between courses that the Chowhounds condemned. Our server was attentive and polite and the courses were well paced, the only area for improvement being that the next courses were delivered before the dishes were cleared from the previous one.
The basic price dessert was a dish of three Moroccan cookies, which were nothing interesting. I had chosen the pistachio creme brulee for $3 extra and I was happy I did.
After my meal, I was very confused as to why the Sultan's Tent has such a terrible reputation among Toronto foodies. Is my taste really so declasse? I mentioned this puzzle to a friend the next day and she had the answer: the Sultan's Tent is under brand new management. They must have made significant improvements because I enjoyed my meal very much and I recommend it for a special, fun outing.
(Gratitude goes to the founder of my feast, Rich S. Thank you!) -
Review from Brandon D.
3/29/2010
Tried to come here for a late dinner/snacks on a Saturday evening with a few friends. We arrived an hour or so before the kitchen closed. We were greeted and seated immediately. There were only 3 other tables, each with 2 people. All of whom were just having drinks. The bartender, who sat us, told us both he and another server would be taking care of us. We ordered a bottle of wine, which was fine. This is where things took a turn for the worse.
After our wine was poured, nobody came to our table for over 30 minutes. One person in our party walked to the bar and asked the bartender if anybody would be coming to take our order. He apologized and said he thought somebody was taking care of us. From there, you'd think that either he or this alleged other server would immediately come to the table. That's not the case. We waited another 10 minutes before the bartender finally came to the table. All the while, both he and other restaurant staff were chatting. I could understand if they were busy serving other customers, but there were very few people in the restaurant, all of whom weren't getting service either.
I should have taken the hint by the prix fixe menu's title, "Morocolicious." -
Review from James M.
5/12/2010
Before the Sultan's Tent my only experience with Moroccan food had been the chicken tagine I cooked for myself. The night started out pleasantly enough. My girlfriend and I were seated promptly and I was impressed with the decor and ambiance. Our server was ok, until he "accidentally" overcharged us $30.
We both ordered the harira for our first course. It was nicely seasoned and actually quite good. We were both excited for more.
Second course arrived swiftly, bastilla. This was the dish I was most excited to try. Chicken and spices wrapped inside of phylo dough, and topped with cinnamon, sugar and almonds. It sounded and looked spectacular. After several bites, however, the only thing I could taste was cinnamon. The filling was an indiscernible mush void of any distinct flavor. This would be the recurring theme of the night. I was very disappointed, but held out hope for the third course.
My third course was braised lamb shank and my girlfriend went with Marrakech chicken. My lamb and couscous were extremely bland. How you can braise a lamb shank and still have it be totally flavorless is beyond my comprehension. I tried a bite of her chicken and was overwhelmed with the flavor of, well, chicken. That was the most concentrated and pronounced chicken flavor I have ever experienced. Sadly there was not even a hint of anything remotely Moroccan about either of our dishes.
Dessert was almost comical. I went with the Moroccan treats, otherwise known as two sad looking cookies and a slice of orange sprinkled with cinnamon. Her creme brulee tasted nice but did not have the texture and consistency you would expect. The tea was nice.
The highlight of the night may have been the belly dancer. Not that I am interested in that sort of thing but because the older men seated behind me made total fools of themselves during the show. They gawked and shouted at the dancer and acted like they had never seen a woman before. Pretty funny. I was impressed at how the servers were able to dodge the dancers during service, but I was secretly hoping for a collision.
In summary a very disappointing experience. How you can take a cuisine known for big bright flavors and tons of spices and turn it into bland, tasteless gruel like that is a mystery. I greatly preferred my own attempt at Moroccan food. -
Review from Janna S.
7/13/2010 6 photos
I came here last night for the Summerlicious with a friend and I was not disappointed in spite of my fears. The place was quite busy for an early dinner (6 pm) on a Monday night! The reviews on here are a mixed bag, but I made a point to avoid the chicken and Moroccan "treats" from the dessert menu. Thanks for the tips ;-)
We ordered the following and I've included descriptions from the menu:
MAFTOUL - "Hand rolled "Moroccan Cigars", hot crispy pastry stuffed with a mixture of mildly spiced beef, cashews and raisins, topped with our chipotle aioli."
- I was hoping for more with this app. The serving size was tiny and the flavor wasn't as rich as I expected. It was okay, but next time I'd probably order the salad with duck slices, which my friend ordered.
MOROCCAN BEEF SHORT RIB - "Tender fall off the bone beef braised with Moroccan spices, finished with a rich red wine demi-glace, served with Yukon gold-parsnip mash, accompanied by mini Casablanca vegetables"
- This was deceptively filling; the plate was more than half empty to start with, but I felt completely satisfied afterward. The meat was incredibly tender and seasoned to perfection. Potatoes and veg were full of rich flavour.
BRULÉE ROYALE - "A rich and flavourful crème brulée"
- This is probably the best crème brulée I've had in a long time. The highlight of the meal!
This place isn't about eating "light". The food is rich and filling, but the quality is excellent. I'm not sure if I'd pay full price at the Sultan's tent for the show, but it looks like fun (maybe a good place to throw a party).
There was a bit of a wait to place our order but the service was very good after that. The only negative comments I have are regarding the air conditioning and wine: the air was BLASTING the whole time and I was nearly shivering after dinner was over. I don't think they need to keep it so cold. The waiter admitted that ordering a half-liter of wine for $24 would amount to about 1 and a quarter glass each for two people. This seems pricey when you consider that one glass was $8.75 - there is no incentive to order larger quantities if you're looking for value, but I guess that must be how they make their profits.Listed in: Best Washrooms in Toronto
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Review from Rob B.
Mississauga, ON
9/1/2010
The bathrooms are clean and the belly dancers are nice, but the only thing that would entice me to visit this location again is to buy the mint tea, but I can probably but that elsewhere for a much lower price...
I wanted to love this restaurant, but sadly I will not return. -
Review from alfred i.
North York, ON
8/5/2011
I've been here a handful of times, and always enjoy the food. I wish they had more variety in their menu. Great service, excellent atmosphere, and overall great experience.
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Review from Erwin M.
7/17/2010
Cafe Moroc. My first dining experience involving Moroccan food and I have to say I'm still not really sure what cuisine I just had. Tried the summerlicious lunch menu of Maftoul, Moroccan Burger, and creme brulee, and while I didn't find the food particularly outstanding, for $15, it's more than worth it.
The bad:
-confusing as soon as you get there, I'm at sultans tent, and yet i'm at cafe moroc. Could not find a cafe moroc sign anywhere so I had to ask once inside.
-moroc burger, moroc fries. It's really just a burger and fries and compared to a regular burger, it wasn't even that great. The fries with the chipotle dipping sauce however, I enjoyed.
the good:
-the appetizer (maftoul), was probably the most "Moroccan" thing I had. It was good, interesting, but a little bit oily. Its like a smaller spring roll therefore more oil per bite.
-the creme brulee was pretty good and an pleasant ending to the meal.
Overall, for the price i paid, I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience.
Service was good, prices awesome, food, not bad. The summerlicious menu is at least 4 stars but If I were to pay regular prices as posted on their website, definitely a 2 at the most. So to even things out, I give Cafe Moroc a 3. -
Review from Esther C.
Mississauga, ON
11/9/2009
I went to sultan's tent for as part of a bachelorette party. We booked a large table under one of the tented areas. The decorations were traditional and you get a feel for the atmosphere immediately.
We had to order off the price fixe menu since we were a large group. It's $40, but then if you want to order "premium" items, then you have to add extra costs per dish. There aren't very many choices for the "non-premium" items. I ordered the sliced smoked duck salad (add an extra $4.95); the samak saghir (which reminded me of a moroccan form of spring rolls); the braised lamb (delicious, meat was tender and fell right off the bone); moroccan treats (cookies and orange slices only because I didn't want to pay more for a premium dish).
Once the show comes on, the lights are dimmed, so I couldn't see my meal at all. I had to take a picture with flash, so I could see what I was eating and know where to cut my meat! That was a challenge. The belly dancing was a good show and very interactive as the dancers float from table to table. I felt quite foolish trying, but hey, I'm only going to experience this once, I think! We had the 8 o'clock show, so we had to be out by 10pm for the next show.
Overall, it's fun, but pricey. It's a place that I'd recommend as something special to do or just to try once. Otherwise, it's pretty expensive. -
Review from Raymond W.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2010
A difficult venue to place judgment, for a person whose relevancy to Moroccan culture is as sharp as Sarah Palin's interview responses.
I had an enjoyable time, and that is largely contributed to the great company I brought with me. And although my experiences was overall a positive one, suspicion is unshakable regarding whether or not if it was actually authentic.
The location was convenient enough, yet somehow I still managed to pass it twice before finally finding the front door.
I got inside, and waited patiently for the Maitre'D, until I realized that the restaurant was actually deeper inside the premises. Apparently I was only at the Cafe, once I was seated inside the 'Sultan's Tent,' did I begin to take the atmosphere in. It was like a tent alright, the magical ones that I've only seen in the Harry Potter movies, where you walk into this small inconspicuous outer shell, and arrive at a desert oasis (with pub-like lighting).
This place is only suitable for large groups, or couples. The seating is wall mounted booth chairs for groups of 6+, or the alternative..a(small) table for two on the other side, leaving room in-between for the dancers to come out. It almost felt like a nightclub, with the exception of an environment that is less hostile.
The wait for the food was painful, I think it took around forty-five minutes from ordering, to the arrival of the entrée. So I ended up ordering lots of wine. I called ahead because on their website there was no wine menu, but the lady assured me that because their wine selection was so extensive, they couldn't put it all on their website. Talk about a poor excuse. How extensive could it be? I couldn't imagine it being bigger than 360's, or Barbarians. Not a chance.
There was altogether six of us, and we all loved food, so I think we just about ordered everything on the menu. I didn't hear any complaints, and I had very little myself. The food was excellent, even if I didn't know half of the things I ate. The 'Maftoul" and braised lamb stood out...the Seafood Royale however, did not.
The belly dancers was an enjoyable post-dinner experience. They will grab you and encourage you to dance with them, as they will garnish you with their jewelry. Best to keep your shy friends at home.
There are two shows on weeknights, and three on Weekends. Which means your clock starts ticking from the time that you arrive. They were tedious with bringing the food out, but they wrap up like a roadshow carny, and I felt at the end I was pretty much rushed out of the restaurant. I guess that's dinner-theatre.
Interesting themed venue, good food, good show, and I learned absolutely nothing about the Moroccan Culture. -
Review from Pai P.
I've been to Cafe Moroc twice during Winterlicious and Summerlicious and enjoyed my experience both times. Once was for lunch and once for dinner. The main course selection was a little different but the portions were still more than enough.
I ordered the maftoul's both times and I still love them. Their secret sauce on top of what seemed like spring rolls were great. The menu said they were Moroccan cigars.
During lunch I had the 6-ounce Moroc steak baguette with a side of Moroc frites. Tasted great and it was a very good sized portion. I couldn't finish my plate.
During dinner I ordered the braised lamb shank with a side of couscous. It was my first time trying couscous so I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't a fan. Maybe at another location? My girlfriend ordered the Moroccan beef short ribs which were just as good as my lamb. I guess I couldn't choose between the two dishes. It was accompanied by yukon gold-parsnip mashed and veggies. Dope!
For dessert we had some Moroccan treats that were easily forgettable. Service was top notch during lunch because we had an extra special waitress that was always prompt with refilling our waterListed in: Pai's Favorites
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Review from Lei H.
Toronto, ON
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went there for Summerlicious lunch for a group of almost 20 ppl. Food was ok for the price but I probably won't go there unless organizing for a event like this again. No belly dancing during Summerlicious, and there was even no A/C on the hottest day of this summer!
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Review from Rebecca L.
Mississauga, ON
1/19/2010
I visited the Cafe Moroc "section" of the Sultan's Tent for dinner the other night and I had a great time overall. To my understanding, Cafe Moroc has more affordable prices than The Tent. I went with a group of 8, so the cafe's small interior was a bit cramped, but not uncomfortably so. All of their round tables are suitable for parties of 2-3, so we had to sit in a group of 4 small round tables; kind of inconvenient/awkward.
I ate the braised lamb feast, which was dee-licious. The lamb shank was so incredibly tender it literally fell off the bone. While it wasn't a "feast" per-se (it was only one large-ish sized piece of lamb) it was moderately priced at only $17. Overall, I would go there again. -
Review from Steven N.
Vancouver, BC
5/24/2010
Luckily we were forewarned about the extravagant prices that the 'tent' would charge just for din lights and a bellydancer.
Instead we opted for a window seat which worked out quite well as we were attended to all night during service. Forgot the exact name of my dish but it had a nice portion of chicken and sausage though the taste was a bit on the bland side. Chicken was dry as well - is this the moroccan style of cooking chicke? Beats me but I felt that the chicken could've been done so much better.
Entrees were between 15 and 30 - slightly on the pricier end but worth a trip if you are feeling adventurous and have never tried Moroccan cuisine. -
Review from Linda M.
North York, ON
7/20/2011
Went for Summerlicious Lunch Menu.
Tried the
HARIRA - not bad, soup temperature was good,expected it to be more
spicy or tomato like but was actual very light
MAFTOUL - pretty much a spring roll, but thinner shaped like a cigarette (for some reason expected it to be a fat cigar shape)
MANGO SALMON - was salmon (felt like every other salmon dish)
maybe needed more mango (didn't taste it)
MOROC STEAK BAGUETTE - (did not try) but saw that the fries were really burnt
MOROCCAN TREATS - Strangely the orange slices felt more like a candied version, a bit hard and chewy not like the description of fresh orange slices
BAKLAVA - hard and chewy
Both deserts felt like they were a bit stale.
Sat at the back, nice decor. -
Review from A B.
5/12/2010
Moroccan food is one of my favorite foods. This restaurant is offensive to all things Moroccan.
I have had Moroccan food all over the United States and Europe and this was the worst "attempt" I have ever experienced.
I live in Rochester, NY and have been craving Moroccan for some time now. My boyfriend and I recently went to Toronto and I researched Moroccan restaurants in the area, very excited to introduce my boyfriend to one of my favorite foods.
We decided on the Sultan's Tent because it had the best reviews, not sure why now.
The place was very gimmicky and it was clear almost from when we sat down that the restaurant exists just to move people in and out and make as much money as possible.
The food was not awful, but had no taste! Moroccan food is rich with spices and savory, my chicken tasted like chicken, couscous I have made out of the box had more flavor, etc.
We kept wondering, do the chefs or owners ever taste what they send out? If yes, how can they allow it? Toronto street meat was better than this.
At the end of the meal, our water brought out our bill with an extra "Chicken" at $17 and it listed more beers than we drank. I told the waiter of these "errors" and his speed in printing out a new bill and his numerous apologies really led us to believe he put these extra items on the bill on purpose, in hopes that we would not notice. There is not even a $17 chicken on the menu!
We left feeling as though we wasted a night and our money.
I think I can say this was one of the worst restaurants I have visited in North America - after living in both California and New York and traveling often. -
Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
2/12/2011
I had dinner here with a friend on a weeknight. I had the Maftoul as an appetizer and the Moroccan Beef Ribs, both were good though nothing spectacular. The service was alright, and the décor was nice. We sat in the bar area (Café Moroc), but if you're into belly dance, they have a separate seating area for that.
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Review from Jessica W.
5/23/2011
A must visit when in Toronto.
4 course dinner accompanied by belly dancers. This is different then most belly dancing I have seen (very dramatic and classy).
Best atmosphere and food experience in Toronto. -
Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2010
I wanted to like The Sultan's Tent, but I was extremely disappointed.
After going to Morocco and loving the culinary experience there, I know I can't expect the same thing but come on!! I went for a romantic dinner for two there hoping to escape the Toronto city-life and whisked away into exotic paradise. The prices were expensive, the food was plain, the belly dancers were cool but the performance was kind of awkward. We accidentally walked into Berber Lounge downstairs and we should have stayed there, at least the decor felt like Morocco.
The experience you should expect there:
- Disorganized staff (couldn't organize a waiting area, let alone seat us).
- Pricey dining
- Bland, unoriginal food
- belly dancers - kind of cool, but they had about 3 spread out awkwardly throughout the restaurant
I see some other recommendations, and I may try again, but highly unlikely. -
Review from sarah c.
Toronto, ON
3/5/2011
So pretty and the food was great! I loved the chiffon curtains and decor, it was really nice. My boyfriend and I went here a week ago and it was delish! We did the four course menu and I was soooo full afterwards. I had the harira, rolled chicken pastry things, salmon and a flourless chocolate torte. The harira is incredible, I could eat it everyday. The dessert was incredibly rich and I only had a couple bites. Overall it was great!
