East meets West at Kedma

A modern kosher meat restaurant with incredible views of Jerusalem’s Old City walls.

By DEBBIE KANDEL
Kedma - A modern kosher meat restaurant (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Kedma - A modern kosher meat restaurant
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Arguably one of the best locations for a restaurant in all of Jerusalem, Kedma overlooks the Old City walls just north of Jaffa Gate. Whether you are seated in the main restaurant, the bar area in the foyer or on the large outside terrace, you can enjoy the historic view.
But its location is not all that Kedma has going for it. With a wide selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, it is a great place for those spending the day shopping at the Mamilla Mall or heading to the Old City.
So, to the food. I do not normally like to fill up on bread, but I could not resist the focaccia served with five tapas dips (NIS 34), and the squash dip was sweet deliciousness.
Other recommended starters include the homemade hot dogs served with avocado guacamole, a cross between chipolatas and mini merguez sausages (NIS 41); the meat humous, a slightly upscale version of the traditional dish served with mini grilled beef kebabs (NIS 52); and the liver paté, which had a good rich flavor and is served with mini crostini with the perfect amount of crunch (NIS 48).
My favorite starter was the veal sweetbread cigars (NIS 56). This dish is a complex mix of flavors and although I am a fan of sweetbreads, I would never have guessed they were the main ingredient. The Moroccan harissa and tehina dip is a perfect accompaniment.
On to the main course. My dining companion and I agreed that the Kedma hamburger was one of the best burgers we had ever tried.
Diners can choose between the classic burger (NIS 59) or the more gourmet version with seared foie gras and creamy mushrooms (NIS 92). My companion thoroughly enjoyed the simple entrecote steak (NIS 122) served with wild spinach and mashed potatoes, and the chicken livers (NIS 64) sautéed with mushrooms, chestnuts and red onion in a red wine sauce. I favored the goose breast (NIS 84), which comes pan seared with mashed potatoes and a wild berry sauce. Despite the recommendation on the menu to have the goose served medium, it was more well done, which was a little dry, but the top was perfectly rendered and deliciously crispy, while the tangy, sweet sauce accentuated the taste of the goose.
Make sure to leave room for dessert. The selection changes, and the items range from NIS 32 to NIS 36. We sampled the creamy chocolate mousse with a crème brulee center and the warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
In addition, the chocolate soufflé did not disappoint, and the mango sorbet was very authentic.
The casual décor, beautiful view and prime location make Kedma a great choice for a comfortable meal with friends or a large family celebration. The restaurant also converts the outside terrace into a bar for parties on certain nights in the summer, so look for more details as the nights get warmer.
The writer was a guest of the restaurant.
Kedma Kosher Mamilla Mall, 3rd Floor, Jerusalem Tel: (02) 500-3737 Sun -Thurs noon until 1 a.m. Fri noon until an hour before Shabbat. Sat. an hour after Shabbat until last customer