NEW IN TOWN: Poccadio Grill

By the look of the hordes of people piling into last week’s grand opening of Poccadio Grill (1045 Broad Ripple Ave., 252-5911), the new Moroccan quick-eats spot in Broad Ripple, you would have thought they were offering free flights to Marrakesh. Nope. But owner Anass Sentissi (also chef/owner of Saffron Cafe) did offer free bocadillos (sandwiches) to the first 1,000 guests. Lucky insiders received soft, crusty baguettes stuffed with a variety of heavily spiced accouterments.

Upon first glance, we’re a bit worried about the ordering format. Sure, its ruby-red walls and punched-tin lanterns, delivery, and late-night hours (4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) are oh-so-welcoming. But the whole left side of the menu reads like a Moroccan Subway—a giant build-it-yourself menu with so much room for error, especially considering such an overwhelming list of global goods, from shawarma, tuna salad, harissa (spicy red chili sauce), and raisins to capers, parsley, olives, Zaalouk (an eggplant and tomato mixture), and Charmoula (zesty cilantro pesto). Same goes for the salads. Stick with the chef’s recommendations and make sure you wash it down with a cup of Moroccan sweet tea densely packed with fresh mint.