Mint

First time at Mint, right on the Corniche. Came in around 7pm on a Wednesday, place was maybe half full. Good sign — not a tourist trap scramble, not a ghost town either.

I went broad on the order because it's visit one and I need data points. Pulled a few cold starters — the zaalouk and some kind of white bean thing I couldn't fully identify but didn't need to because it was good. Warm bread situation was solid, clearly not an afterthought. Main was a fish — I think sea bass, asked the server and got a confident answer which I always appreciate. It came with chermoula that had real acid to it, not the flat bottled-herb version I've had at spots trying to do Moroccan on autopilot.

What I noticed: the mise en place on that plate was tight. Whoever's working that station has line experience or is trained by someone who does. The fish wasn't overcooked, which sounds like a low bar but tell that to half the restaurants in this city.

Service was attentive without hovering. Water refilled without asking. Menu explanation was in French and English and they didn't make me feel bad about switching back and forth.

What I can't tell yet: consistency. How does this place hold up on a packed Friday? Does the chermoula taste the same in three months? Is visit one running on kitchen adrenaline or is this just what they do?

No receipt total because I was with a colleague and it got split in a way I didn't track. My fault.

Coming back. That's the only real verdict I have after one visit. The food earned a second look and that's not nothing.