We have decided to add websites for the restaurants that we review and we have some catching up to do:
The website for Noya is http://noya.rest-e.co.il/
The website for Blackout is http://rest.co.il/sites/Default.asp?txtRestID=9135
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Roberg - Great family and great restaurant!
This is our longest visit to Israel; we are staying for 6 weeks. We have therefore had numerous opportunities to try out some new restaurants and to visit some that we have already tried. Last year, we spent a few days in the Upper Gallilee and had a fabulous dinner at Roberg's in the village of Livnim. So this year, after a day of touring the Golan with our good friends Chaim and Sara from Raanana, we decided to pay a return visit.
Livnim is located off Route 90 overlooking the Kinneret. Going north from Tiberias, once you pass Migdal and Ginosar, you make the next left on Route 8077 and journey a few kilometers up in the hills till you enter the village; follow the clearly marked signs to Robergs. This is a chef restaurant run by Ilan Roberg who was trained in Israel and in Switzerland and who spent more than 30 years as head chef in various hotels in Israel. He also represented Israel in various gourmet "chef olympics" around the world and has been the chef of note for kings and heads of state.
In addition to all of the above, what makes this a most unique chef restaurant is the supporting cast at the restaurant. Ilan's children have all graduated from various culinary schools and so he and his wife Sonia, together with their children opened Roberg above their home in Livnim. If the weather is warm, you can opt for outdoor dining on the mirpeset (balcony) with a magnificent view of the Kinneret. What makes the indoor experience unique is the presence of three large flat screen monitors which allow the diner to watch the Roberg kitchen and family in action.
Now to the food: there are two choices on the menu. There is a regular menu as well as a tasting menu, each with a fixed price. The food was outstanding and artistically plated. The service was excellent. We enjoyed meeting Sonia, who told us some of the history of Roberg and who beamed with pride at the accomplishments of her entire family. At the end of the meal, Sonia and Ilan gave us a tour of the area of the restaurant that is reserved for cooking classes which are conducted in a similar style as the TV show Top Chef.
There are many "zimmers" (vacation cottages) in Livnim and therefore the Robergs decided to open for prepaid Shabbat meals for those who visit the area. There is a shul right across from the restaurant.
The restaurant is under the hashgacha of the Rabbinate of Marom Hagalil and the price range is 125 shekels for the regular menu and 160 shekels for the tasting menu.
This restaurant is well worth the drive and we consider Roberg one of the best that we have tried in the country.
Visit their website at www.roberg.co.il
Livnim is located off Route 90 overlooking the Kinneret. Going north from Tiberias, once you pass Migdal and Ginosar, you make the next left on Route 8077 and journey a few kilometers up in the hills till you enter the village; follow the clearly marked signs to Robergs. This is a chef restaurant run by Ilan Roberg who was trained in Israel and in Switzerland and who spent more than 30 years as head chef in various hotels in Israel. He also represented Israel in various gourmet "chef olympics" around the world and has been the chef of note for kings and heads of state.
In addition to all of the above, what makes this a most unique chef restaurant is the supporting cast at the restaurant. Ilan's children have all graduated from various culinary schools and so he and his wife Sonia, together with their children opened Roberg above their home in Livnim. If the weather is warm, you can opt for outdoor dining on the mirpeset (balcony) with a magnificent view of the Kinneret. What makes the indoor experience unique is the presence of three large flat screen monitors which allow the diner to watch the Roberg kitchen and family in action.
Now to the food: there are two choices on the menu. There is a regular menu as well as a tasting menu, each with a fixed price. The food was outstanding and artistically plated. The service was excellent. We enjoyed meeting Sonia, who told us some of the history of Roberg and who beamed with pride at the accomplishments of her entire family. At the end of the meal, Sonia and Ilan gave us a tour of the area of the restaurant that is reserved for cooking classes which are conducted in a similar style as the TV show Top Chef.
There are many "zimmers" (vacation cottages) in Livnim and therefore the Robergs decided to open for prepaid Shabbat meals for those who visit the area. There is a shul right across from the restaurant.
The restaurant is under the hashgacha of the Rabbinate of Marom Hagalil and the price range is 125 shekels for the regular menu and 160 shekels for the tasting menu.
This restaurant is well worth the drive and we consider Roberg one of the best that we have tried in the country.
Visit their website at www.roberg.co.il
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Noya in Jerusalem
Even though it is on the list already, we took our kids (Chavi and Yisrael) out yesterday evening for their anniversary to Noya on Shlomtzion Hamalka Street, right across the road from Canela. It is a meat restaurant run by the same family who own Cafe Ne'eman. We have never been particularly excited about the dairy Cafe Neeman, but we did eat at Noya when they first opened about a year ago and we liked it. We returned last night and they have a new feature: it is called "Iskit Erev"; an Evening Business Menu. It is a very extensive menu (fish, chicken, meat, soups, salads) that includes a wonderful foccaccia bread with spreads for the table; appetizer, main course, dessert and tea. And all for 89 shekels per person. The only extra charge would be if you decided to have drinks. Of course you can also order from the regular menu, but if you want a great deal, go for the Iskit Erev. The food was great (apparently they have a chef who used to work at the non kosher highly acclaimed Ocean restaurant), the service was great and very personable, the ambiance is beautiful and the four of us staggered out (very full) for about 400 shekels including the tip. And if you have friends or family that only eat Mehadrin, this place fits the bill. One of the best deals in town, imho.
Blackout In Old Yaffo
Last night, we went to Blackout, a restaurant in Old Yaffo where you eat in total darkness. The restaurant is run by visually impaired and hearing impaired individuals. It is dairy and under the Tel Aviv Rabbinate. You arrive and register (you must have reservations and there are only thirty diners per sitting). You are given a glass of wine while waiting as you peruse the menu for the evening. Your meal includes an appetizer, main course and dessert. Once you have chosen your selections for the three courses, you are led (train style, hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you) into a totally dark room and seated at your table by your visually impaired waiter. They gave us an english speaking waiter to make it easier on us. He explains the layout of your table (ie; where the cutlery is; where the caraffe of water is, and how to pour without spilling) and then begins the meal service. I will not tell you much more except to say that you never adjust to the total darkness and the experience is very worthwhile. The food and service were good but the total experience was the highlight. It is not cheap, so my advice is to look for it on Eluna auctions (which is what we did) which makes the experience more affordable. As well, there are other possibilities there; there is a play with deaf and blind actors and other programs to increase your sensitivity to the handicapped.
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