Chentro: The colorful truffle burger from Dubai lands in Israel

Just like in the rest of the world, the burger scene in Israel is blazing hot. Plump patties with over-the-top toppings have conquered Tel Aviv and spread from there across the entire country. At the Chentro restaurant in Hadera, they take the exaggeration to the limit (in a good way, of course) with original and Instagrammable burgers that are just waiting for you to take a bite.

Behind the concept and execution stands chef and owner Hamada Atamny, who launched Chentro in his hometown of Kafr Qara, with an international branch in Dubai. Now, he is opening a new branch in the Mix Complex in Hadera, serving the American classic in an original and extraordinary version featuring brioche buns with special crusts, unconventional flavor combinations, and a presentation that creates a show right before the guests' eyes.

"From day one, it was clear to me that I did not want to be just another regular burger joint," he recalls. "At a time when everyone was doing the same thing, the same taste with the same bun and the same presentation, I was looking to create a different experience. It was important to me that every detail would be identified with me – the sauces, the form of presentation on the plate, the type of bun, and of course, the patty made from freshly ground meat on-site daily, from a blend I developed which is kept as a professional secret. I wanted people to feel they were eating something that exists nowhere else."

Just like the patty, the rest of the raw ingredients are meticulously selected down to the finest detail: The airy brioche buns receive a crispy lace coating referred to here as a "crust," which comes in 4 flavors to choose from: Garlic, corn, chili, or luxurious truffle. The elaborate sauces are also homemade.

The menu opens with appetizers and salads, but all eyes are directed toward the original burgers: Volcano Burger – 200 grams of fresh beef in a red bun with chipotle aioli, mozzarella, and a black crust resembling a volcano; Luca Burger in a brioche bun with a corn crust, the chef's aioli, cheddar cheese, fried polenta, and cream sauce; and a smoked burger with chipotle aioli and mozzarella cheese, which is served under a smoke-filled cloche (NIS 79).

So that the vegetarians among us do not feel deprived, a smash falafel has been added to the menu – two smashed and seared falafel patties in a parve brioche bun with amba aioli, coleslaw, and tahini (NIS 39).

The creative version is already shaping up to be a hit, and Atamny notes that it was born so that vegans and vegetarians would also feel part of the restaurant experience without compromising on taste and texture. "I conducted countless trials until I arrived at a falafel patty that can be smashed exactly like a smash burger, and it is not deep-fried in oil, but rather seared on the plancha. I combined unique sauces and toppings like amba aioli and coleslaw, and the feedback is simply insane. People arrive skeptical, and then with the first bite, they realize it is not just an excellent substitute for a burger, but a dish with its own distinct character and flavor."

If there is still room in the stomach, one should pay attention to the desserts, which are no less decadent: French toast filled with mascarpone cream with whipped cream, berries, and powdered sugar (NIS 47) and Umm Ali, a beautiful and incredibly delicious traditional Arabic dessert made of velvety brioche bread soaked in milk and cream with a scent of rosewater, topped with pistachios and almonds (NIS 42).

The branch in Hadera, the third in number after Kafr Qara and Dubai ("people there are surprised by the flavors, and many of them say it is the best burger they have ever eaten. We are rated very high on Google, and that is an immense satisfaction"), is a preview of an additional branch that will open in the city in a kosher format.

Atamny mentions that he is already working on developing a suitable menu based on the same high-quality meat, where the challenge for him is to make the sauces kosher without harming the experience. "For me, this is another opportunity to create and prove that it is possible to make kosher food at a very high level," he explains regarding the move that is expected to turn Hadera into the burger capital of the Sharon region.

Until then, those who do not strictly observe every religious detail are welcome to load up the patty with shredded asado, goose liver, chili jam, and other decadent toppings, and customize a dish that will cause the Insta account to explode with likes. There is no longer a need to stand in traffic jams in Tel Aviv; instead, unbutton your pants, prepare your smartphone camera, and drive to Hadera. Just do not forget to arrive hungry.