$1,000 Bachata Contest

Alhambra

From about two blocks away—where Alhambra's glowing red sign and massive copper turrets are plainly visible—it's clear that subtlety is not on the menu at this seven-room Moroccan restaurant, and that's the point. The owners were aiming for the most palatial experience outside of the real Alhambra in Spain. They set out to replicate the famed Moorish castle piece by piece, using marble and furniture imported from North Africa and Morocco. The center of the restaurant, crowned in a 35-foot high, copper-laden ceiling, sits up to 450 people. A marble fountain trickles in the back of the space; diners perch in velvet-cushioned chairs and a stage flanked by towering palm trees hosts live jazz, flamenco and belly dancing performances. There's also a bar, a formal dining room wrapped in hand-carved walls, a 6,000-square-foot banquet hall (need a space for 300-400 people? This is it!) and two sky box rooms perched above the main area. Moroccan and French fare dominates the menu, with entrees like lobster ravioli with sauteed mushrooms and lobster broth, papillotte of sea bass baked in parchment paper with lemon zest and spices, chicken ala Marakesh (slowly cooked chicken breast smothered in a pomegranate-walnut sauce) and the Alhambra Palace kabobs, which come with beef, chicken, mustard-glazed veggies or shrimp. Entrees range $16-$36. Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg

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