(03) 566-5505
Open from noon till 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. till midnight. The Bun As much as Chef Shei Kitches attempts to remain coy about his solid background in three of the four 3 Michelin starred restaurants in New York City, it doesn’t take very long after you try his food for the cat to come out of the bag. From the moment you sink your teeth into one of Shei and Ayal’s mouthwatering dishes and taste the precision of flavor, it’s apparent that these are seasoned chefs who have been schooled in accurate French techniques.The pedestrian Asian-inspired dishes; steamed buns, barbeque beef brisket, classic Udon soup, and green papaya salad, among others, effortlessly infuse a mix of international flavors with an Asian influence as its foundation. The classics that remain a staple on the menu are simply one culinary delight after the other. The mini steamed buns come with tofu, beef brisket, or hamburger, and you can mix and match at your will. For a classic and comforting Udon soup, a taste of The Bun’s will magically transports guests to Tokyo.The Kitches brothers also exercise their creativity with nightly specials that have featured the likes of chicken liver pate with sake gelee, caramelized onion served with a wasabi crositini. It’s genuinely a treat to visit in the evening and discover a new, innovative dish made by some of the most talented chefs in the city. The linear, edgy, and masculine interior reflects an urban yet casual atmosphere. Edison light bulbs gleam from the exposed walls and glisten against the exposed beams in the ceiling.There is only bar seating and across the heavy wooden bar only a napkin and a set of chopsticks are placed before your food arrives. The interior reflects the personality of the brothers and you sense that you’ve stepped into their lion’s den. With a culinary roar, The Bun will quickly grab and eternally capture your attention and loyalty.
(03) 604-4725 Gedera 26 Chef Amir Kronberg took years to understand the restaurant industry and sharpen his skills before opening Gedera 26 nine months ago. His methodical approach and abiding patience is reflective through his cuisine and the effusive energy throughout his establishment. Chef Kronberg designed a simple menu with many dishes familiar to the Israeli palate; kubeh soup, chicken livers with rice, and hraime. Yet unlike other restaurants offering the same fare, Kronberg approaches the food with uncommon restraint.Instead of drowning his dishes in spices and sauces, Kronberg selects the most prominent and important flavors and pronounces them using the freshest ingredients and establishing precise techniques. It's with this approach that dishes that may seem simple taste complex and robust. In every dish that he produces, each flavor is prominent and clean, yet there are sprigs of creativity that make the experience unique and special.The specials are based on interesting and superb finds that Amir scouted in the shuk that day, and they exemplify his knack for quick thinking and playful cooking. I like to say that Gedera 26 is like opening a little box of jewels; it’s glowing, understated, refined, and majestic. There is a sense that the past effortlessly fuses with the present, with a mixture of exposed brick walls dating back to the early 1900s, pictures of Kronberg’s grandparents embellishing the walls, and benches and chairs made out of recycled furniture and window panes. There is a light and airy flow melding with charm and homey comfort.
(03) 510-0164
Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. till the last customer, Friday from 10:00 a.m. till 15:00 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Bakery 29 It’s uncommon for someone to leave a successful and familiar life behind to begin a whole new life based on passion and altruism, yet when Netta Korin left her prolific career on Wall Street to make Aliyah and open a bakery that gives 100% of its profits to IMPACT, she beat all the odds and created a true gem in the city. IMPACT is a humble organization that provides college scholarships to low-income combat soldiers, and Bakery 29 is as ethereal as its cause.There is not one element at Bakery 29 that Korin overlooked. She was a part of the entire process, from restoring the old window panes with her own two hands, to consulting with the designers at every turn, and creating an impeccable menu with chef Yaron Azulai and pastry chef Ika Dirblat. The assortment of baked goods, daily pizzas, sandwiches and dips are made to perfection. I honestly can’t say that there is one thing on the menu that’s not absolutely delicious.The oatmeal chocolate cookies, that inspired the notion of opening a bakery in the first place, are the bakery's staple and an instant marker for the immaculate treats. The Parmesan-chive scone, one of my personal favorites, is a savory pillow of tangy Parmesan with subtle sweet chives.
(03) 560-2020
Open Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. till 10:00 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. till one hour before sundown. Olivery When Olivery popped up on Ibn Gvirol, it would be determined how it would fare in the stiff competition amongst the city’s other Italian establishments. All it took was one bite of their fresh homemade pasta and it was known that Olivery would make a name for itself in Tel Aviv.The pastas, all made from scratch, rival some of the best pasta eateries in Italy itself and the accompanying ingredients only heighten each dish. The pasta funghi, a pappardelle noodle with a four mushrooms sauce, is a dish that celebrates the rough, earthy tones of mushroom with the starchy sweet undertones of pasta. Complete with fresh shavings of Parmesan, this fearless dish pushes flavors to the limit.If pizza is your fetish, you are in luck as Olivery uses a brick oven to melt the fresh toppings into the perfect soft but crusty dough. The asparagus pizza is one of many items unique to Olivery. The pizza and salads come in a small or large, therefore it’s easy to mix and match without having to pick only one thing on the menu. The stream of lasagna, pizza, soup, specials keep regular diners engaged and interested.For a sweet sensation at the end of the meal, the panacotta made with fresh vanilla beans and crimson cherry sauce, is nothing short of superb. The high ceilings are reminiscent of the casual Italian countryside with a dash of elegance. The imported wine bottles and beer on tab displays Olivery’s dedication to serving pure Italian cuisine.
(03) 544-6076 Cafe XOHO The theme behind the TV show “Cheers” is that “everyone knows your name.” This familiar and comforting idea made a weekly visit to “Cheers” something soothing and fun, which is the same exact feeling you get from the moment you step into Cafe XOHO.Reminiscent of coffee shops in coffee-cultured cities like Seattle, Cafe XOHO is a home away from home. The food at XOHO is inventive and playful. The staff of cooks, spearheaded by Chef Zoe, constantly experiment with fun baked goods and interesting specials, such as beer bread with rosemary, pecans and raisons or the camparai muffins.The regular items on the menu kindle little reminders of coffee shops in the States, such as the New York Bagel and cream cheese. Other items profess a dedication to the beautiful array of fresh Israeli produce. The Antipasti Sandwich, one of the most popular dishes, brings together an assortment of grilled vegetables, red wine onion jam, basil pesto, and goat cheese. Ultimately, this dish showcases cafe modesty with imaginative expression.The cheerful atmosphere is complete with brightly painted walls, and the cafe is adorned with funky sculptures and works of art by local artists.
072-249-5497
Open Monday to Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. till - 4:00 p.m and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m.Taste TLV staff contributed to this articleJudith studied Middle Eastern Politics at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She has worked in the hospitality and culinary industry for 10 years.