B'day beer and beef

The food at Tel Aviv's Dita made me want to go and kiss the chef.

By ZEV FORMAN
dita 248.88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
dita 248.88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Being that my birthday is on September 11, I have not had much of a celebration over the past few years. This year, I decided to do something low key to mark the passing of one more year and headed out to Dita, the meat bar on Rothschild Blvd., for dinner. The night was supposed to include a small but tasty meal with a few close friends. We had no idea how big a treat we were in for. Both the food and the wonderful service made it a most excellent birthday. Now, on the occasion of its tenth anniversary, it's Dita's turn to celebrate. This makes me happy to have an excuse to head back to Rothschild Blvd. to eat, drink, and be merry. For my birthday, we sat outside in the off-the-street courtyard. A jazz band played, adding to the festive atmosphere on what was an unusually comfortable Tel Aviv summer night. We started the meal with one of my favorite dishes, hot wings. I often lament, sometimes on this page, that not one restaurant in this country makes proper wing sauce. A point applicable to Dita, but of no matter. Cooked perfectly, the wings were crispy on the outside and soft and tender inside. The chili sauce, though not buffalo, was sweet, tangy and spicy. Following, we moved on to the special meal's raison d'etre: a rack of beautiful ribs. Served in a wine sauce with a poached pear and mashed potatoes, this is the dish that birthday dreams are made of. Perfectly tender, the meat fell right off the bone. These ribs made me want to go out and kiss the chef, if not the deceased animal, right on the nose. Opened a decade ago this month, Dita will celebrate through the entire month of November. Festivities include a special menu, a beer festival and birthday music performances. This is not a month to be missed at Dita. The prix-fixe birthday meal (NIS 99 per person) begins with a special aperitif created for the occasion. Continue with a wide choice of appetizers, including antipasti in balsamic vinegar or a wonderful beef carpaccio. It also includes a variety of entrees, including: grilled spring chicken, Dita's homemade sausages or, my favorite, the ribs. Finish with a choice of one of Dita's exquisite desserts. Dita's bar is also offering up a special menu of beers for the special month, with English and Belgian beers at a special price. Brewed delicacies include Grolsch (NIS 20), Duvel (NIS 27), Lindemans Apple (NIS 24) and many others. It was thanks both to Dita and my great friends that I had a wonderful birthday. I sincerely hope that karma will provide Dita and said friends the same treatment they gave me. With the great food deals on offer, I see no reason why this wouldn't be the case. So, head out to Rothschild Blvd. and wish Dita a happy birthday. I would like to take this opportunity to say mazel tov and wish Dita a future of great success accented with amazing ribs. Dita is located at 45 Rothschild Blvd., Tel Aviv, (03) 560-4222 and open 24/7. Reservations are recommended; not kosher. The writer and his party were guests of the establishment.