In a quaint quarter of Charlestown, Massachusetts, not far from legendary historical monuments like Bunker Hill and the U.S.S Constitution, lies a taste of western Europe. Barely visible from the narrow, tightly packed streets that date back to the beginnings of this country, a warm glow emanates from the windows of one of the colonial-style neighborhood buildings. Peering inside, passersbys would see a warm, welcoming room draped with lush red and gold tapestries, punctuated with woven carpets and dark wood furniture, embroidered pillows tucked carefully into secluded corners, dimly lit by ornate metallic chandeliers; this is Tangierino. A Moroccan chophouse and tapas bar whose rose-petal strewn tables and nightly belly-dancing shows are just a hint of the dramatic flavor this establishment is centered on.

Helmed by executive chef and owner Samad Naamad of Samad Naamad Entertainment, the creatively adventurous “visual and culinary artist” is also no stranger to the film world. His talents extend to filmmaking; acting, producing, and directing. He produced a film called Welcome to Hollywood in 2005, which was released internationally, and in 2007 he produced and starred in The Dream Shadow, which opened at the Brattle Theater in February of 2009. In 2008, he wrote, produced, and starred in Demon Shadow, which also happened to be his directorial debut. The prolific Moroccan turned Boston fixture formed the production company IRW (Imagination Rules the World), and is currently working on a prequel to Demon Shadow, which was a critical independent success. With a wildly popular restaurant enjoying over ten years of success, a thriving professional life peppered with interior design projects and nightlife events, and numerous triumphs in the film industry, Samad Naamad truly knows the meaning of pursuing your passions in life.