Almost everyone will feast on skewers of meat this coming Independence Day.
By ZEV FORMAN
Sixty-years-ago David Ben-Gurion stood in front of a packed room in Tel Aviv's small art museum on Rothschild Boulevard and declared that, for the first time in 2000 years, there would be Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. This week, Israelis will be celebrating this momentous occasion in many different ways. Some will spray each other with white foam, some will hit their friends and strangers with large blow-up hammers and almost everyone will feast on skewers of meat. It seems that meat scorched on crappy, little grills set up on highway medians has become the way to celebrate the country's independence. However, if you're looking for something more sophisticated for Israel's diamond anniversary there are plenty of options.
Brandy, (Southern Hatasiya Park, (04) 637-2462) the beautiful restaurant in Ceasarea will be offering up a special menu with all the dishes priced at 60 shekels in honor of the cause. If you are in Tel Aviv, check out Hudson(27 Habarzel St., (03) 644-4733) in Ramat Hahayal, where chef Amir Elon will be putting together a special tasting menu of classic Israeli flavors. The Black Bar N' Burger (www.rest.co.il/_intros/black/new/) chain will also be joining in the celebrations, with 6 special burgers representing each decade of Israel's history, including a special veggie burger.
Edison Dolche Melody (122 Ben Yehuda St., (03) 527-4008), where they will be preparing special Independence Day treats. In light of the tradition of skewered meats, they will be preparing skewers of ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate and all other kinds of crazy things.
Our country will only turn 60 once, so make sure that you make this Independence Day a memorable one.