Architecture · Baking · Israel · Kitchen · Tel Aviv · Tourism

The new spot in town: Da Da Da

Living in the heart of Tel Aviv we are spoilt with many of the best cafes and restaurants. But sometimes you just get fed up with all the places. So this Friday I got all dressed up in my Nununu outfit and we went for brunch with Nellie. I’m happy to have discovered the new spot in town: Da Da Da. Da Da Da is located on the beautiful and historical corner of Rothschild Boulevard and Herzl Street.

The ground floor of what used to be the French Institute is now a place for breakfast and lunch, a delicatessen with take away dishes, sandwiches, assortments of pastries and breads. For now it’s open from 7am till 4pm but from what I hear it should soon also be open on Saturdays and go 24/7.

The name Da Da Da apparently refers to Dadaism and is the joint creation of chef Sharon Cohen (Shila) and nightlife king David Tur (Breakfast Club, Cafe Europa). The European design is impressive and visible in the lighting, the outside terrace, the long bar and in the small details. Go check it out.IMG_7049.JPG

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Antwerp · Tel Aviv · Tourism

Guestblog: Joy Anna Thielemans in Tel Aviv

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“Mommy mommy, I’m going to Tel Aviv for work!”‘ – “Isn’t that dangerous?” – she immediatly replied. Keep that conversation in mind when I tell you that it repeated itself in every other conversation I had the week before I left. Do replace “mommy” with any other name. Exactly. That. Conversation. Every time. Everyone.

I was extremely excited to go abroad for work. All I had to do was meet interesting, talented and sweet people. And smile, always for the camera but that’s not really hard when you have the best crew ever. With all my love I introduce to you: Dimi(tri) and Karolien. Without these two, I wouldn’t have been smiling all the time. They are the reason why I was able to make these amazing reports. They made them, I smiled and met talented people. I am one spoiled brat that can call smiling and meeting people my job.

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Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv. In every conversation I realized more that I knew so little about the city. Let me make you a list about everything I knew. The weather must be better than in Belgium (that’s not really hard) It is located in Israel. And that’s about it. So I left. Didn’t know what to expect. And I came back. Overwhelmed. Tel Aviv is an amazingly lively city filled with talented, happy and welcoming people. The first guy I met in the city…

– Wait let me tell you how I met him ’cause I do like the story: At around 8 am, on our first day we were sitting in a coffee bar on the ground floor of our apartment building. Enjoying the early sun, good coffee and cereal. He passed us by and walked towards me: ‘You are amazingly beautiful’ he said. I didn’t really know what to reply. Me, not knowing what to reply, that’s a first. I’ll blame the (non existing) jetlag. Couple of minutes later he came out of the bar, holding a cookie and coffee. He gave me the cookie, “cause” – and I quote – “you are worth it”. I loved Tel Aviv from then until forever. Dimi, my lovely cameraman joked around that guys would have all the attention for me the entire trip. Funny thing is, mister cookie guy was the only who saw me. Dimi, the pretty looking dude, got all the attention. –

So, this guy told me the city has this continuous party atmosphere 24/24h. Oh boy was he right. I went to several bars and restaurants, open 24h (almost all of them). I ate the best food ever (including grilled Kale, soooo yumm!) at Port Said, most of all loved Hotel Brown’s cozy bar, Café Europe’s excellent food and the diversity of music in the clubs. Cabs take you anywhere you want or you can choose to stay at Rothschild Boulevard. That includes restaurants, café’s, clubs, anything you need for a perfect night. At 2 am we left our last party and closed the night by eating ice-cream on Rothschild, next to a restaurant where people were mailing, drinking, working and laughing. No one ever has a bad mood in Tel Aviv.

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The full nightlife report 23/01 in Lust For Life on Belgiums public broadcasting net één, 22u30. Fun, laughter, pretty buildings (Bauhaus much, my favourite. A report about that 16/01 on één), flawless design, lovely people, party’s, good food (and drinks), amazing rooftop views, the perfect weather for nice outfits (no jackets needed), a city with a beach (that’s so perfect) sweet people and sun. That’s what Tel Aviv is. I loved every second of my (too short) trip. And I could tell you so much more. But what really explains are the video’s. 16/01 and 23/01 the last one’s will be online.

Things I want to do next time I go? The shopping area – be amazed, I didn’t go there -, Café nachmani, Baranowitz Kronenberg, and the Tel Aviv museum of Art and every single beach/street/corner I haven’t been to. We’ll meet soon sweet Tel Aviv. Very soon!

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Joy Anna Thielemans (August18 1992) is a Belgian actress/host for national television. She is mostly known for her role in the Flemish soapseries ‘Thuis’ She presents the new show Lust for Life in which the most vibrating cities of this time are visited. It’s a show about design, culture, fashion, travelling and everything in between & beyond. But most of all Joy Anna is a dear friend, always in for some coffee and a chat. Love you longtime, Joy!  Superspecial thanks to you and your crew.

x Sien Josephine x 

 

Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Travel guide

Cafe Europa

Last week Café Europa celebrated its first anniversary. And it sure has been a good year for the restaurant. Ever since its opening, Cafe Europa became one of the hottest spots in Tel Aviv. An outdoor restaurant. With a bar on the first floor and a terrace.  And a great authentic atmosphere. The restaurant is located on Rothschild Boulevard, meaning you can easily walk around and discover the area before and after. I go there very often both with family, friends and with groups for work.

The menu has a few cute small sharing dishes and an Israeli-inspired variation of fish, meat and veggie main courses. I always go for my favorite: the lamb tortellini. The place offers special cocktails and has an interesting wine menu, including some of Israel’s finest boutique wines (try the Kerem Shvo and don’t bother taking a glass only; go for the bottle).

The celebrations went on all week and ended with a special live act on Friday night by a local band called Boom Pam. Boom Pam define themselves as “a Mediterranean surf rock tuba drive power trio, seasoned with dueling guitars and alcohol soaked wedding party ecstasy.” I felt like I was in a Tarantino movie Middle-Eastern style. Everybody was dancing, or maybe not everybody and it was more those chasers (half shots) working their magic. After the gig, we kept on dancing on Dror’s vinyl mixes, a nostalgic tribute to the Fifties, a lot of laughing and dancing, and drinking, and laughing, and dancing the twist….

 

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Baking · Food · Tel Aviv · Travel guide

High Telavivity – Top 5: food

In the spirit of John Cusack’s top 5 lists in the movie High Fidelity  here’s Tel Aviv in my Top 5 – part 1. food

Top 5 “just coffee” 
my favorite: hafuch katan dal

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  1.  Ben Ami – corner Nahmani/Melchett street
  2.  Espresso Bar– corner Rothschild/Herzl street – easy & fast take away at the city’s oldest kiosk
  3.  BaShdera – corner Rothschild/Maze street
  4.  Maze9 – Mazeh street 9 (also a bookstore)
  5.  We love you – corner Habima/Ben Zion Street

Top 4 “fruit juice

my favorite: banana, melon & dates

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  1. Tamara – Dizengoff/Ben Gurion street – and extra small branch on Herzl street
  2. Pri 101 – Allenby/Ahad Ha’am street
  3. Mitzim – Shenkin 54
  4. ShakesPri – King George 11
  5. My friend Eli on Yehuda Halevy – fresh & cheap carrot and orange juice

Top 5 “breakfast”

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  1. Delicatessen – my favorite: porridge with fresh cut fruit & assorted nuts
  2. Ben Ami – my favorite: chocolate yeast cake
  3. Rothschild 12 – my favorite: ham & cheese toast
  4. Hotel Montefioremy favorite: eggs florentine
  5. Mersand – my favorite: turkish breakfast


Top 5 “lunch”

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  1. Orna ve Ella – my favorite: ravioli with pumpkin & sage butter (photo)
  2. Humus Nahmani – hummus & tehina like the locals
  3. Tachtit – open 24h, my favorite: schnitzel with rice & salad
  4. Pua – my favorite: cherry tomato salad
  5. Buddha Burgers -for vegan & vegetarians, the Israeli version of Lombardia

Top 5 “diner”

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  1. Cafe Europa – my favorite: lamb tortellini
  2. Port Saïd – my favorite: minute steak and tehina (the best tehina in town)
  3. Brasserie – timeless and tasteful
  4. Makom shel Bassar – the best meat in town
  5. Fleamarket – my favorite: shoarma shel ossobucco

Top 5 “desserts”

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  1. Benedict – 24 hour breakfast service, my favorite: pancakes
  2. Stefan Braun – chocolate fudge with vanilla ice cream
  3. Delicatessen – apple pie mmmmm
  4. Port Said – French toast
  5. Anita – coconut ice cream