Eat Well: Brasserie

This week, I revisited Brasserie and was reminded why this recurring favorite is always a mood lifter. Despite its location in the center of the city, just across from Rabin Square, the restaurant is faithful to its eponymous Parisian aesthetic, thus not only causing it to stand out, but also making a stop here feel like a mini vacation. Large mirrors, dark wood, french doors, lines of booths, and an ample bar create a stylishly subdued atmosphere for which the clientele is eager to dress up a bit. Upbeat music plays and excellent cocktails, from caipirinhas to martinis, help along the congenial atmosphere.

The menu, written in both Hebrew and French, is filled with classic dishes from the latter's cuisine: moules frites, roasted chicken, nicoise salad, and steak tartare all make an appearance, as do mouthwatering pomme frites (cleverly wrapped in a faux newspaper) and a decadent "American style" hamburger. Expect efficient service from waiters who are dressed the part and make sure you leave room for a rich dessert.

Image credited to Haaretz.com.

Imbibe Well: Hotel Montefiore

"The Best Two Hours in Town" is how Hotel Montefiore bills its happy hour, and it's not an overstatement. Where else can you get history (the building has been restored to its original 1920s glamour), elitism (this boutique hotel only contains twelve rooms, while its restaurant is known to be exclusive), an elegant aesthetic (the team behind Coffee Bar and Brasserie has brought their distinctly European look here as well) and ridiculously low-priced drinks (an entire menu under 30 NIS) all rolled into one?

If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't. Seven days a week, from 5-7 p.m, Hotel Montefiore shakes off its reputation for expensive taste and instead offers a list of excellently mixed cocktails, including Kir Royals, Mojitos, Lychee Martinis, and Vodka Sours, each for only 29 NIS, a price that would be low even for a corner cafe, much less an upscale institution. A single glass of red wine goes for 20 NIS, white for 18 NIS, and it gets better: no matter if you order one round or two, you'll receive complimentary potato chips and miniature sandwiches. All in all, the waitstaff is attentive, the clientele well-dressed, the mood serene, and the presentation immaculate, making the atmosphere perfect for an afternoon apertif.

Impressive style and delicious substance, for once without the hefty price tag attached. As deals like this are rare, and space is limited at both the bar and tables, it is recommended to call ahead for reservations.

36 Montefiore Street
+972 3 564 6100
www.hotelmontefiore.co.il

Image credited to the Hotel Montefiore website.

Eat Well: Charcuterie

Now is the time to enjoy the outdoors in Israel. The unbearable summer heat has yet to hit, but the weather is perfectly warm enough to enjoy an evening meal outside without needing to jostle for space next to an electrical heater.

Yaffo immediately comes to mind in such weather, because of its concentration of dining and nightlife options that are tucked away in HaShouk HaPishpishin. The streets of the old flea market which, during the day can be somewhat of a tourist trap, come alive with a diverse crowd at night, several hours after vendors' stalls have been closed.

One of the largest and, perhaps, best-dressed crowds can be found in front of Charcuterie, a restaurant that spills out of its tiny closet-like space to take over nearly an entire block with tables and a makeshift outside bar. The menu is decidedly simple, with several typical appetizers, pastas, salads and, of course, the tasty platters of charcuterie meat for which the place is named.

The music is loud and the drinking is heavy. Well-heeled Tel Avivians converse animatedly and the entire scene eventually assumes the look of a lively street party. Charcuterie's new extension, a similarly styled bar with a small selection of the restaurant's meats and appetizers, occupies a corner spot just a few doors down, thus increasing the block's traffic.

Reservations are essential, unless you're a small group happy to angle for a position at the outside bar, whose seats are kept open on a first-come-first-served basis. The whole menu can still be ordered here, making it a perfect option for those hopping back and forth along the flea market's alleys, shifting through the different scenes at Yaffo's plethora of new outdoor dining options.

3 Rabbi Hanina St.
Yaffo Flea Market
+972 03 682 8843