Café Itamar,at the edge of Moshav Ora, offers a pleasant break from urban surroundings.
By SHIRA TEGERCafé Itamar(photo credit: Courtesy)
Situated in a somewhat unconventional location, within a nursery, Café Itamar was established six years ago. The café and nursery serve as a memorial to Itamar, the brother of one of owners who was killed by terrorists. The flowers, life and food brought together at the edge of Moshav Ora are meant to keep Itamar’s memory alive through growth and continuity.The eatery recently underwent an overhaul thanks to new chef Nadav Elbaz.Although he began his kitchen training in the army, he has come a long way since then. He revamped the menu entirely and has made a shift toward restaurant and away from café.On my recent breakfast-time visit, I was pleased to find more adventurous offerings than are typically available in local cafés.The food was presented attractively, if only ever so lightly seasoned.My dining partner and I sampled a range of breakfast options. Under the small breakfast options, we tried the bruschetta Niçoise (NIS 48), which was a tasty toast topped with vegetables, small sunny-side up eggs and red tuna; and the cauliflower masabcha (NIS 48), which came with tzatziki, chickpeas, pickled hot peppers, tomato, hard-boiled egg, feta, parsley and focaccia. My dining partner fell hard for that one.Other selections we tasted included the Boker B’Mashtela (NIS 64), which was a delightful combination of sunny-side up eggs atop asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, haloumi cheese and salad; and the Boker Pinuk, a fabulous eggs Benedict-like dish with poached eggs over smoked salmon, a spinach-Parmesan cream and potato rösti.As it was still chilly out, we sat indoors, enclosed by many windows and surrounded by flowering plants. On nice days, the outside seating is inviting – both on the deck and among the trees. The option to sip mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice and cava made breakfast into more of an event (NIS 25) than a meal.For a break from the city but not far at all, Café Itamar is a good option.The writer was a guest of the restaurant.Café Itamar (Kosher), dairy 46 Meshek Moshav Ora(02) 642-4093 www.cafeitamar.co.il
