Local goodness

A small Italian eatery, Topolino has an extensive and impressive menu.

By JASON MESKIN
Topolino restaurant 521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Topolino restaurant 521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Not too long ago I finally got to try a kosher Italian style dairy restaurant in the city, and I was sorely disappointed. But now, I’ve finally found a dairy place that’s charming and offers good food.
Located just next to the entrance of the Mahaneh Yehuda market in Jerusalem, Topolino gives you the feeling of being in Rome. It is clean, warm and laid back. The tables on the narrow patio outside are great perches for people-watching. The menu offers a large selection of starters, pasta dishes (including ravioli, gnocchi and lasagne), pizza and fish dishes. Naturally, the restaurant takes advantage of the shuk’s fresh produce and fish..
With the recommendation of the owner, my dining companion and I started off with a fresh sardine bruschetta (NIS 43), which included a summery combination of leaves, mozzarella and tomato with a subtle flavor that was slightly sweetened. It was a big hit with both of us. We also tried the green salad (NIS 49) with grated Parmesan and toasted almonds.
It was equally tasty.
The portions are very substantial. I was full by this point, but we still had our main courses to go – a pizza bianca (NIS 69) with garlic cream, zucchini, green onions, sliced pears and gorgonzola. The pizza was what we had been waiting for – and it didn’t disappoint. It had a perfect base, a good ratio of tomato sauce to cheese and topping, and it was delicious.
It was then on to the beetroot gnocchi in cream, walnuts and spinach leaves (NIS 65). The gnocchi itself, being fresh and not store bought, was creamy and bursting with flavor. These dishes were prepared with much attention to detail and with a goal to surprise and please. The mission was soundly accomplished, as each dish was unique and fresh and had character.
Desserts are available on a separate menu. Even though we saw beautiful creations being served to other diners, we decided to forgo the temptation and settled on a good cup of coffee instead.
Topolino is a charming little restaurant, perfect for a business lunch or a romantic dinner. The service was fantastic – the staff are incredibly fast, helpful and patient (one in particular translated the whole Hebrew menu for us, and then helped us choose the best dishes to try). The food and atmosphere it offers are a true gift, and it has already deservedly become a beloved institution.
The writer was a guest of the restaurant.

Topolino Kosher (no certificate) 62 Agrippas Street, Jerusalem.
Tel: (02) 622-3466.
Sun. – Thurs. 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.