Al Maskoof Al Iraqi is an Iraqi restaurant in Hor Al Anz which I feel cheated by. Although I called ahead and was assured they had a suitably sized Masgouf (or Maskoof) fish for our group of three (that’s about a 2 / 2.5 kilo fish) when we got there we were told the only fish they had was a 4 kilo fish. No problem, I said, we’ll take half. The supervisor flatly refused saying we would have to wait an hour for a smaller fish. The same thing happened with my credit card. I specifically asked if they accepted cards (when I called) and was assured they do, yet when our bill was brought to us, I was told we had to pay cash because their machine was not working. I really don’t understand why some restaurants feel the need to resort to such shameful tactics.
Because I had guests with me, I accepted the 4-kilo fish thinking I’d take whatever was left over home. It arrived after a delicious mixed platter of starters were brought to our table. It’s hard to go wrong with a freshwater carp; its fat melting in to keep its flesh moist as it cooks on the traditional fire alter. I’m angry at this restaurant but their fish was really good, I’ll give them that. I did not think much of their service though, their servers were slow and absentminded, requiring constant reminding and theatrical handwaving to attract attention. So, all in all I was not at all impressed with Al Maskoof Al Iraqi. Actually, the word I should use is disappointed. I will stick to tried and tested Samad Al Iraqi, Bestoon Samad and Kabab Erbil Iraqi (to name just a few) when my masgouf (Arabic: المسكوف) craving next call.
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