Bogart and Bergman would always have Paris in Casablanca, but it’s Moroccan cuisine and not French fare you’ll get to remember if you make a date with fate with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of Moroccan tastes and drinks at Kous Kous in Hillcrest.

Kous Kous’s intense Moroccan flavors mingle with colorful, genuine décor to give patrons a dining experience that's as genuine as the athletic abilities of Bo Jackson. Served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the lunch menu boasts a spicied-up array of meaty and flesh-free appetizers, sandwiches, and a pared-down selection of tagines (slow-roasted Moroccan stews, $6–$10) and brochettes (grilled meat skewers, $7–$9). Rappel down the sheet-draped ceiling after 5 p.m. to enjoy the dinner menu, which features a stewy slew of main-course tagines, including veggie ($14), ground-beef-stuffed tomato and bell pepper ($17), and lamb shank ($20). Diners preferring their food served a la stick can opt for a brochette skewered with chicken ($16), beef ($21), or shrimp ($17). Each tender concoction is served with your choice of whole-wheat couscous with garbanzo beans or garlic-herb mashed potatoes and can be paired with a selection of Moroccan wines and beers, in addition to local San Diego brews.

Eaters looking for an exotic, romantic atmosphere for their meal will enjoy the deep earth tones, bright stools, colorful lanterns, and a wine list that will tickle all seven senses. The airy space is also equally suited for large groups such as officemates, extended family, and the entire contents of a clown car. Reservations are not necessary but are recommended.

This deal is not valid toward happy-hour specials.

Reviews

Kous Kous snags a great review from the San Diego Union-Tribune and excellent ratings from Zagat. More than 270 Yelpers give it an average of 4.5 stars, OpenTable diners give it an average of 4.3, and TripAdvisors award an average of four owl eyes.

• Hey, get your flying carpets away. At Kous Kous, Moroccan magic doesn't rely on gimmicks. Intensely flavored cuisine, a moody atmosphere and chef Moumen Nouri's personable touch make the Hillcrest restaurant a neighborhood favorite in the making. – San Diego Union-Tribune
• “Perfectionist” chef-owner Moumen Nouri “treats guests like friends coming to a dinner party” at his “great place” in Hillcrest, where he re-creates “his mother’s homestyle Moroccan recipes” with “amazingly fresh food mixed with wonderful seasonings” (“couscous to-die-for!”) – Zagat
• I order the honey based lamb off of the Tangeen [sic] section of the menu, and it was fantastic. The lamb fell off the bone, was so tender, and the flavors were great. Each person in my family of 6 was happy with their meal as well. – An OpenTable.com user who dined on 06/11/2010
• This was a WOW! experience! The tastes of the Kous Kous tangine [sic] lamb and chicken were so unique and exquisite that we were overwhelmed with the pleasure of fine dining. The occasion happened to be our anniversary, which was made even more special because the owner personally greeted us and later joined us at our table to share some stories about the Moroccan culture and his own life. – An OpenTable.com user who dined on 05/17/2010