Couscous - Cherry Hill

As someone who has been around hookah and Mediterranean restaurants for most of his life, I can say with certainty this place is a sham. The only reason they are in business is because they have a monopoly on the south jersey market and sell to unsuspecting novices who don't know any better. While the family that owns and operates the establishment is generally lovely, the grumpy old man that sometimes works there just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. He always insists that his ridiculously inflated prices for tobacco in the store are somehow justified. They charge $18 for something that costs $9.80 at a store in central jersey. Beware!!! On top of that he is disgustingly rude and is unnecessarily aggressive and offensive. I will never set foot in this establishment again, and will tell everyone I ever come across to stay away from this place after my experience today.

This review is ONLY for the hookah. I've been to numerous hookah lounges all over Philly, North Jersey, and NYC. The only reason I go to Cous Cous for hookah is because it's literally the only place in South Jersey, otherwise if I could go to Philly or North Jersey every time I wanted hookah, I would. They charge $25 per hookah (one flavor) with an added 20% gratuity tip and sales tax. So, it ends up coming out to $32 for one hookah. It's also a $5 cover charge for BYOB. Personally, that's pretty expensive for me especially when I'm used to paying no more than $20 for a hookah everywhere else. If they lowered their prices just a little, Cous Cous would still be my last resort, but it would be better than nothing.

Five stars for the food! Subtracting one for the dust. Two of my group were excited to try CousCous and two were dragged along kicking and screaming, but we ALL liked the food! Started with the harissa soup which had a great spice profile and then had the vegan bastilla which, though a bit sweet for an appetizer, was delicious and a huge portion-more than enough for four. I had the stewed lamb couscous dish and it was delicious- loved the flavors. My only issue was the dried food on the seats and the HUGE dust bunnies and hair on the little shelves of the speakers pole which were right at face level at our table. So if they do a good dusting it's a five star!

Crossing the dessert plain of a South Jersey parking lot the mysterious frontage adds mystery to what awaits next to an innocuous nail salon. Open the door and you enter Cherry Hill 's casbah of Moroccan delights. It 's dark interior has intimate collections of cushioned seating surrounding tables set with colorful plating. As you are greeted by a truly caring host the unique tones of music from the Middle East adds to your awareness that this is not your everyday dinner out. The menu offers two prix fixe feast options as well as non-feast choices. We were a group ... so feast it would be with each diner choosing his/her own entree. We added a vegetarian Bastilla as a sweet starter just because we all enjoy this sweet pastry powdered in sugar; we knew it would take time to bake. The feast began with Harrira; a delicious vegetable soup that provided us with the unique flavor combinations of North Africa. Happiness circled our table. The huge salad tray arrived with pita offering three perfectly prepared salad choices to either pick up in pita or to enjoy with spoon fork. One salad in the mix is roasted eggplant pate ... I personally do not like eggplant .., actually I will never order eggplant nor place it near my mouth but this was different thanks to the spice blend and I wanted more! While all of our hands were ravenously groping for more of these salad delights the bastilla arrived steamy hot; our attentive server sliced it to allow the heat and tempting scent to hit the air. Once cooled we quickly devoured this well chosen appetizer. Our main course was served individually with couscous flavored with fruit and a variety of veggies in the Tajin. Exotic spices created truly delectable meals; well done chef! Dessert was baklava in a fruit mixture. Honestly, I have had better. Not that Cous Cous dessert was disappointing but it was not the equal of the rest of this delicious meal. And, yes a belly dancer arrived catching the eyes of all with her well developed gyrations, We left happy and satisfied ... great service ... wonderful atmosphere ...delicious food As the door opened onto South Jersey our question was ... why aren 't more local residents escaping to this oasis to start their weekends? It 's worth the trip!

What a fun place! First things first, its BYO (bring your own booze), and you need a reservation. The food was delicious, the service was about average. We loved the atmosphere. I would hope as the night nears on that they have belly dancers but they didn't have any while we there. The place is small so probably not ideal for a large party that wants to sit together. I would certainly book it for a fun lively and local night.