La Marsa, The Factory Restaurant. Aug 2014

   Aug 2014.  The Factory Restaurant.  Located in the La Marsa part of Tunis.  Right on the Mediterranean in a very old building.  I spoke with a manager or owner fellow and he said that this building used to be a palace.  It was built out over the water so that the female royalty who lived here could bath without being seen.  The bottom floor was open to the ocean except for walls around it.
   We parked in the small lot outside.  There is a gate that is raised so you can drive down to this area to park.  When you leave, you pay the parking "attendant" 1 tnd.  (One Tunisian Dinar is equal to about 65 cents at this time.)  They generally watch your car and this makes sure that no riff-raff parks and leaves their car forever.  It is also providing a job in a place that needs people to be employed.
   We entered the large front door, passing a large security fellow sitting at the entrance, to walk down a long hallway out to the building over top of the water.  The inside of this restaurant is decorated in an English feel, with a bit of a Restoration Hardware look because of the wood and wrought iron furniture.  Modern rustic.  Mainly locals here, but obviously not strict Muslims since there is quite a bit of beer and wine being served.  Smoking allowed inside, which is a bummer, but you need to get used to it.  At least the windows open.
   You do find that there are certain things that you miss, so it is good to get to know a few places where you can get your fix of french fries, great onion rings, hamburgers and a cold beer.
   We leave just as the sun is setting and it is a lovely scene.  It is still very warm and many people are at the beach.  No string bikinis here!  Nice place, we come back quite often.