R i c k ' s C a f é

Notes from the Pergola
It always seems that August provides enough of a respite to catch up with Kathy’s Corner – if only to make the annual complaint about why Casablanca residents choose to leave their ideal climate (today’s high temperature 81F/27C) for the north ( Tangier temperature is 100F, 38C), or south (Marrakech is 104F, 40C). August during our first two years was very, very quiet. Fortunately as tourists and visitors hear about Rick’s, the summers have become more stable, and we’ve happily adjusted to the language mix of Spanish, French, English, German, Chinese and Japanese among our clientele. With more and more tourists, many of whom coming in small groups just wanting to drink, we found the bar was often full or occupied by a group of regulars. Since we showed the film “Casablanca” without sound in our front dining room upstairs, it provided the inspiration to change the room into a lounge bar. It is now beautifully appointed with leather Mamounia-Art Deco armchairs and inlaid wood antique tables from Essouira. Oak panels were added to the walls and around the TV, a bar snack menu was created and the lounge became an instant hit – it seems now that it’s always been there. Fortunately we did not lose dinner seating, thanks to the retrofitting of our banquettes mentioned in my previous column. After the initial 12 chairs were received, we turned in the rest of the banquettes for another 15, allowing us to expand seating elsewhere in the restaurant. When Rick’s celebrated its 3rd Anniversary we decided to “turn the tables” on our clients and invited 100 of our friends for a complimentary dinner. Our guests enjoyed an evening of dining, listening to the sounds of Rick’s Official Jazz Combo and door prizes. As they left we presented each with a copy of Issam’s CD, “Some of the Old Songs.” To commemorate our anniversary we had old- fashioned glasses embossed with our “House Cocktail Sour Jdid” logo – and the glasses (as well as the CD) now are featured in our Rick’s Gear line of souvenirs. As soon as the March festivities of our anniversary were over, Issam began researching for a webcasting system. People always tell us that Rick’s looks more beautiful “in person” than what is conveyed by photos, and while I was thinking of a modest webcam, Issam had better ideas. Amazingly the software he located came from Lahaina, Maui (which created some havoc when phone calls were necessary), while the hardware was located in Casablanca (running the gamut from an HP server to Chinese wireless cameras picked up at Casablanca’s mega-flea market, Derb Ghallef). In April, when the equipment was in place, we made application to Maroc Telecom to expand our broadband to 20 mg. And this, dear reader, explains why as of this date – August 19 – you will see “test” below the image screen on our Rick’s Webcasting Service. Read the piece on my blogsite for the details – obviously the major telecom provider’s marketing department is way out ahead of the infrastructure capacity. Improvements are on the horizon, so stay tuned! Concurrent with webcasting, plans began for the summer and our terrace. We’d inaugurated the barbecue and terrace last summer, and it proved very popular (except with my dog Pacha, who up til then had complete reign)…although the execution left something to be desired. For this summer we left the brick planters and potted plants intact, and Issam took on the task of redesigning and planning the rest. The result is something we are very proud of, as you can see by the pictrue of “The Pergola” on the front page. There’s a touch of Old Havana, complete with some of the old songs by Celia Cruz, a little art deco, great barbecue (including pork ribs)…in other words an atmospheric retreat. When I’m sitting at the little bar reading, or having grilled espadon “California style” I feel like I’m on vacation!