Milli Paglieri is passionate about Morocco, after having created Café Hafa in Turin (Northwest Italy) entirely dedicated to the Moroccan universe, in reference to the famous Tangier coffee, he did it again by creating a restaurant last month in the Italian city. A mixture of two menus, one local from Piedmont cuisine and another oriental from Moroccan cuisine, informs several Italian sites.
The owner of the new restaurant “Hafa Storie” is not skimping on resources since he has hired a starred chef to lead him: Christian Milone, who holds one Michelin star. The restaurant is located “in the heart of the multi-ethnic Porta Palazzo market in Turin,” says the Italian media La Stampa. Moroccan cuisine is led by chef Aicha Deroichi, originally from Morocco.
« I don’t want people to consider this place as a restaurant, but rather as a house with a Moroccan mother and a father from Piedmont, where you can come back whenever you want since you feel comfortable there, » Christian Milone told the Italian media. “I’m not trying to imitate Moroccan cuisine. In fact, there are the strong points of Pinerolo (city in the metropolis of Turin, editor’s note) and dishes cooked by Aicha Deroichi,” adds the 37-year-old chef.
“The dream came true”
The place is “very pleasant, with large windows overlooking the gallery,” describes the Gamberro Rosso blog. The latter describes it by evoking “a multitude of Moroccan tables with objects and products on display which give the impression of a contemporary souk and large tents and shelves which adorn the walls”. “The idea is to mix cultures, now the dream has come true,” adds the same source.
Chef Christian Milone wanted to be located “a few steps from the market stalls”, with a very relaxed atmosphere, “surrounded by the sounds of cooking and people passing by”, reports Milli Paglieri. At “Hafa Stories”, it is possible to enjoy a good Moroccan tea in the afternoon. On Saturday, the day of the big market, the restaurant opens at 9 a.m. exceptionally for breakfast. On Sunday, a Moroccan brunch is planned for a “more convivial meeting”, details the Italian blog.
