For Some Morrocan Flavor

Devoted, unwavering, true. Fidel means faithful, and this new restaurant in Malate lives up to its name.

Restaurateur extraordinaire Markus Schmidt leads us to a culinary journey of Classic French Bistro and Moroccan cuisine. Never before has the dining scene experienced a restaurant that is loyal to French home cooking. "Just like your grandmother used to make," Mr. Schmidt adds jokingly. "If you had a French grandmother."

This French grandmother must have been one classy lady. Everything about Fidel, from the two stories of dining and lounge arrangements to its food, exudes fine taste. The décor blurs the boundaries between classical and modern, between East and West. There are elements of European and French Colonial blending fluidly with Indochine, Moroccan, and native Filipino. You see Italian green marble and abaca embracing stainless steel like the most intimate of lovers. Everything was custom made for Fidel, so the place has its own unique character and flavor, never before seen and never to be reproduced again.

Much like the décor, the food is unparalleled. Fidel’s menu is prepared by a French-Cuban and Moroccan chef, plus a crew of the finest sous chefs. Schmidt suggests the French and a Moroccan dish when you visit Fidel. The Bouillabaisse is prepared with fish, lobster, and prawns. It comes from Marseilles, a city in the South of France known for its love affair with the sun and the Mediterranean Sea. Taste Morocco in the Tagine. It’s either lamb or chicken with couscous and vegetables. Afterwards, have some cocktails in the comfortable lounge area upstairs. Talk to your companions about the wonderful meal you just had at Fidel.