Where everyody knows his name

Jeff, found at the top of Tchernikofsky Street, just down from Allenby Street, is one spot that's particularly inviting.

By ARI MILLER
dining 298 (photo credit: )
dining 298
(photo credit: )
Tel Aviv streets are filled with cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques inundating residents and visitors alike with options for dining, sitting, chatting, relaxing and refreshing. Jeff, found at the top of Tchernikofsky Street, just down from Allenby Street, is one spot that's particularly inviting. Named after its British chef and owner, Jeff offers up a gourmet mix of flavor and atmosphere where local ingredients are infused with Caribbean and African culinary ones. Jeff's dishes are in a style that allows you to design your own, be it chicken, pork or tofu. Then comes the selection of sauces, which includes sweet potato, curry and coconut milk, hyssop and bacon in a cream base, and more. Main dishes are priced from NIS 42 to NIS 46. Dessert is an unbelievably delicious take on the local children's favorite - a jumbo crembo with cognac and white chocolate for NIS 26. Breakfast is also served daily. For NIS 34 you can satiate late morning hunger with eggs with either bacon, feta cheese or mushrooms, coffee and OJ. While Jeff does serve up a latte, it is his proper Arab coffee that gives you just the right buzz, served in a pot big enough for two. It is not just Jeff's impeccable commitment towards his food that makes his place a must but his love for reggae. The main force behind his opening this quaint eatery was to create a venue where he could combine his two main passions, he says. The result is a laid-back environment filled with delicious smells, tastes and sound, often provided by Jeff and his iPod or with him on the turntable. However, for those nights when Jeff's presence in his kitchen is unassailable, reinforcement DJ's are happy to take over the tunes and provide an evening's soundtrack. It's the type of place where you can bring a friend or just make one there. Jeff is opens six days a week at noon and stays open until 5 p.m. on Sunday, midnight on Monday through Thursday and 3 p.m. on Friday. Saturday is Jeff's chosen day of rest. Located at 1 Tchernikofsky Street, Jeff provides indoor and outdoor seating.