Walk into Tel Aviv's Tzfon Abraxas restaurant and there's music blasting, waiters singing, and cooks dancing. But that doesn't mean the food isn't taken seriously. My meal was nothing short of phenomenal but the undeniable favorite is the Charred Cauliflower, which I've recreated just for you, along with a Garlic Tahini Sauce recipe.
Aluma Restaurant is in an area in Northern Israel is at the start of the Galilee so it has a cuisine centered on greens and beautiful vegetables. Everything is seriously fresh and well prepared and celebrated the produce, but our favorite is the oh-so simple Kohlrabi carpaccio recipe with olive oil, parmiggiano cheese, and lots of toasty black cumin.
When I went to dinner at Messa Restaurant in Tel Aviv, I could not get enough of their beet spread. It was super smooth and airy, sweet and earthy so I made a version of this Walnut Beet Caviar Spread recipe when I returned home and one taste makes me feel like I am back at Messa again.
Lisa Samuel goes on an annual trip to Tel Aviv and when she goes back this year she'll head directly to Miznon for the lamb pita. But until she can get there, she'll make this Lamb Pita with Tahini Sauce and Zhug recipe – it’s as close as you’ll get to the real thing without hopping a flight to Israel.