Let's get right to it.
1. Mushroom Hummus at Hummus Abu Dabi
Light, airy, flavorful. The first hummus dish I finished. Delicious with the spicy green chili served on the side. Falafels were only 1 shekel (35 cents).
2. Memu Lawach from Jachnun Bar
Jachnun Bar only exists in Jerusalem, and the three times that we've gone to Jerusalem, we've eaten here. Totally vegetarian. Very addicting. The wrap tastes exactly like scallion pancake (also called "cong you bing": a Chinese, savory, unleavened flatbread folded with oil and minced scallions). Filled with fried onions, eggplant, tomatoes, chili, egg, hummus, tahini, and green onions.
3. Mango Sorbet & Dark Chocolate Gelato at Otello
Highly recommended to me by one of my coworkers. They drip melted chocolate into the bottom of the cone before scooping the ice cream. A must-eat.
4. Vegan Indian Food at Dosa Bar
Surprisingly one of the best Indian restaurants I've every been to. And all vegan. Cashew-milk mango lassi, uttapam (thick pancake-like dosa), and squash dosa. Bursting with spice and flavor. We need you in Boston.
5. Eggplant + Tahini + Tomatoes + Poached Egg at Pergamon Restaurant
A classic. Eggplant + egg is a noticeable combo in this area of the world, and I like it. Very filling because of the tahini (sesame seed paste). A vegetarian find in Jerusalem at the end of Shabbat.
6. Israeli Burger + Grape Salad + Zucchini Salad at Ha'achim
Top stop in Tel-Aviv for high-quality dishes at a reasonable price. Lunch special is two free appetizers for every entree. Lots of interesting flavor mixes that work (grapes & onions, zucchinis & apricots). Really had to power through work for the next four hours after this heavy meal.
7. Eggplant + Tahini + Tomatoes at Chateau Shual
Here it is again. We snagged this plate during the happy hour, and it ended up being less than $5 USD. This place is also known for being one of the best wine bars in Tel-Aviv, so you know we had some Sangria too.
8. Burger from Prozdor
This place screamed "America!" immediately when we entered the restaurant. I missed a good, classic burger, and this place gave it to me. Topped with caramelized onions, pickled onions, and onion rings. Lots of onions going on in there, but good thing I like them.
9. Chicken Fattoushia + Fattoush + Kanafeh at Fattoush
Listen up. This restaurant tops them all. Based in Haifa, an hour North of Tel-Aviv. The menu was extensive, and it was tough to make a decision, but the three plates we shared were phenomenal. Anything I ordered here would have been fantastic. Simple ingredients done right.
10. Mushroom Pizza + Sweet Potato Pizza at Lila
Comparable to Area Four in Boston. Complementary mix of ingredients, and most importantly, good crust. I felt like I was back in the States. Favorite was the sweet potato pizza because of the goat cheese + tomato sauce combination.
11. Shawarma at Ha'achim
Another plate from Ha'achim on the list, but this one is served only on Tuesdays. Lamb shawarma with labneh and tahini. Out of all the shawarma I have eaten, this lamb shawarma tops the list.
12. Classic Hummus at Hummus Abu Hassan
Supposedly the best hummus in Tel-Aviv. Do I believe it? Yes. I think that once you get over a certain benchmark, the hummus is considered good hummus, but the consistency of this one in particular pushed it slightly past the others: it was not to heavy and not to light, a little stretchy if I do say so myself. Went at the right time for sure because apparently the line is usually down the street (we went at 10am and that's probably why).
13. Roquefort Salad at Daroma
A hidden gem in Mitzpe Ramon. I think they just opened up a few months ago. There were no places to eat in the desert when we arrived on Shabbat, except for Daroma, and I'm so glad they were. Salad filled with walnuts, roquefort cheese, cranberries, and topped with balsamic vinaigrette.
14. Jahnoun made by Mitzpe Ramon Man
Stayed in a tent in the middle of the desert, hiked the next morning, and came back to a delicious breakfast prepared (over three days) by a man from Mitzpe Ramon. Jahnoun: a thin, rolled up piece of dough covered in date syrup and served with a hard boiled egg, chili, bean stew, and tomato paste. Dense and sweet. Best breakfast to-date. Ate five portions of the bean stew.
15. Kanafeh from Yaffa Knafeh
Kanafeh is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry, or alternatively fine semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with cheese, or with other ingredients such as clotted cream or nuts. Topped with pistachio + cream ice cream.
16. Shakshuka + Mozzarella from Jerusalem
Classic shakshuka, slightly spicy, topped with freshly-pulled mozzarella cheese. Served with homemade bread. I forget the name of this lovely restaurant-cafe in Jerusalem, but they were open on Shabbat!
17. Mushroom Cream Pasta from Amore Mio
A good Italian restaurant right by our apartment. Classic mushroom cream sauce, fun pasta shape, good company. Sometimes hummus and falafel all day isn't enough substance for the summer diet. Sometimes, we just need a good bowl of pasta.
18. Tofu + Cauliflower from Bucke Cafe
Topped with vegetales, mushrooms, chickpeas, and peanuts. Served on Basmati rice. Flavorful and filling. Would come here again if I didn't have less than ten meals left.
