This year the Nahalat Binyamin Festival is not expanding physically, out of the boundaries of Nahalat Binyamin, but conceptually as well.
By ASI GALold photo tel aviv cafe(photo credit: Archive)
A true symbol of spring, the Nahalat Binyamin Festival has always been, well, festive. The concept is simple: great restaurants serving great food at special, introductory prices, cheapish alcohol and music playing from every restaurant with the intended result being the creation of an utterly gleeful atmosphere.
The Festival, since its inception, has been based on two main ideas. First, following the initial purchase of an alcoholic beverage, the festival goer then keeps the glass, moving on with it from one participating restaurant to another, with the attractive ability to refill the beverage at a discounted price. Second, all the participating restaurants, a list that includes Tahel, Druker's, Fabiana and many more, serve tapas-style dishes and first courses for a reduced, introductory price - both inside the restaurant and in food booths set-up along the street.
This year, the festival is expanding, physically and conceptually. It leaves the boundaries of Nahalat Binyamin to also include restaurants from Rothschild Boulevard all the way to the Carmel Market.
Festival organizers have also joined forces with Dovale the environmental bear, in an attempt to educate patrons about environmentally friendly products, giving the festival a whole new, added focus. Part of this campaign means that food served in the street booths will be served in biodegradable dishes. Recycling bins will be placed along the festival's route and the festival's lighting is to be produced via solar energy. In line with this green spirit, the culinary organization 4 Chefs will offer organic food cooking workshops. Additionally, there will be a slew of environmental happenings sponsored by the Ligdol organization (www.ligdol.co.il) to be held on Friday, May 13, when Dovale is scheduled to appear.
The event's organizers are working hard and going far to have their message heard - that environmental awareness does not hurt quality of living, but enhances it. Al Gore would be proud, as should we.
Prices at the Sixth Nahalat Binyamin Festival are: a half liter of Becks beer for NIS 25 and NIS 18 refills, Smirnoff, Bushmills and Pampro Rum cocktails for NIS 25 and NIS 20 refills, Tavor wine for NIS 25-35 and NIS 20-30 refills and food will cost NIS 25 for tapas and NIS 35 for first courses.The festival runs from May 13 to 23 in Tel Aviv.
