Baking · Cooking · Entertainment · General · History · Innovation · Israel · Jaffa · Kitchen · Lifestyle · Lilienblum Street · Nightlife · Photography · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism · Travel guide

15 hotspots in Tel Aviv for this summer (2017)

The Norman amazing boutique hotel in my favorite neighborhood right behind Rothschild Boulevard… my advice is to go there for breakfast

“Stay: The Norman”: 
“To find the best value for your money when booking your accommodation in Tel Aviv, have a look at the map of 
Tel Aviv on AllTheRooms.”Onza located in the hippest area in the Jaffa Fleamarket amazing Turkish food and vibe

Orna & Ella perfect for lunch on Shenkin Street 

Cafe Bucke perfect for breakfast and lunch, hip people only  🙂

Cafe Noir timeless! go for the chicken shnitzel.

HaSalon just google Eyal Shani. PS ideal for big groups and parties. need to make reservation ahead. this is the only restaurant I shared that is NOT walking distance from the heart of the city.

Nanuchka 100% VEGAN and then you just dance on the bar ok?Abraxas North as Jessica Biel tweeted: best burger ever
America Burgers my personal favorite burgers in town including an amazing vegetarian one!Delicatessen always good for breakfast and brunch and take away food and delicatessenBrasserie another classic of 24/7 amazing French foodManta Ray the only real gourmet food ON THE BEACH including amazing sea food and sea viewThe Old Man & The Sea real Meditteranean atmosphere and food at Jaffa Port

A few side notes:

  • yes life – and dining – in Israel is expensive
  • almost all restaurants stay open and are cool with menus at any hours (unlike Belgium)
  • another great Israeli invention is EatWith if you want a home dinner
  • contact me for more details or assistance during your trip: marilyn_josephine@ymail.com
Music · Nightlife · Restaurants · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism

Upcoming event: the Belgian Culinary Festival in Namal Tel Aviv

Spread the word ladies and gentlemen;

Boogie Boy will perform at the Namal Tel Aviv Hangar 12 on Monday March 30th during the Belgian Culinary festival.

Join us for a celebration of food, beer, music and sport.

Free Entrance

20:30 SHOWTIME

https://www.facebook.com/events/992822064079816/992882564073766/

https://www.facebook.com/events/626561537488703/

www.boogieboy.be

bbculinaryb

 

Architecture · Fashion · History · Israel · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Sarona Quarter – a new/old place to be

Before the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, Sarona was originally a German Templer colony northeast of the city of Jaffa. In the end of the 19th century, the Templer settlement of Sarona was one of the first modern agricultural settlements in Palestine and became a model for the Jewish pioneers. In the 20th century it was a farming community but immigration was growing and houses were being built throughout British occupation. During the Nazi occupation, it served as an internment camp for the Germans.

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In 1948, when the British Mandate ended and British troops left Sarona, the old houses and army barracks were used by the newly formed Israeli government as offices and called the area the “Kirya”: part became a military compound and other parts became houses to other ministries of the Israeli government.

‘With the rapid growth of Tel Aviv, the Kirya became prime real-estate in the heart of the city. When plans for redeveloping the area were proposed in the mid-1970s, preservationists successfully campaigned against demolition. Consulting with historians, it was decided that Sarona was of heritage value and that 18 structures with distinct architectural styles would be preserved. Civil government departments were moved out of the Sarona’s low buildings and into a single high office building erected at its eastern end. During the widening of Kaplan Street, Sarona’s main thoroughfare, considerable effort was made to move the historic buildings intact. These are destined to become an area of cafés and recreation. A high-rise headquarters building was also erected in the military section, though historic buildings in the compound remain in IDF use.’ (source: WikiPedia)

Since 2003, the Tel Aviv municipality has been working to preserve and restore Sarona. And now we can finally enjoy this new old kid in town: new residents apartment buildings, preserved historic buildings, lots of green area, children’s playgrounds and new businesses: shops, bars and restaurants.

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Shopping: Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star, Liebeskind, Fred Perry, Stussy, Imelda, L’Occitane, Adidas, etc.

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Food: Claro, Rustico, Akiko, Little Italy, Roladine, Wilhelmina, Jajo, Anita, Beer Garden, etc.

קלארו. צילום ארז חרודי (8) sarona

קלארו. צילום ארז חרודי (5)saronaphoto credit: ארז חרודי

 

Sarona Market

Antwerp · Bauhaus · Cooking · Food · General · History · Israel · Jaffa · Judaism · Kitchen · Restaurants · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism

‘Belgian Culinary Week’ in Tel Aviv – special guest: chef Viki Geunes

Tel Aviv’s popularity is growing in the European media, finally! In the context of the Belgian Culinary Week in Tel Aviv, we had the pleasure of having chef Viki Geunes here, accompanied by a tv-crew for ATV – Antwerp Television and a reporter from the renowned cooking magazine ‘Culinaire Ambiance‘. In the videos below you’ll see their discoveries in the city…

Part one: Chef Viki Geunes from the renowned ‘t Zilte restaurant in Antwerp discovers the city of Tel Aviv and meets Yossi Shitrit, chef from Kitchen Market, as part of the “Belgian Culinary Week” held at the new Namal Tel Aviv. Viki visits the Carmel Market and enjoys local flavors…

Part two: Viki Geunes and Yossi Shitrit share their local knowledge and host a cooking demo for the Israeli chefs and press. Then Viki meets with Marilyn Ambach and while telling her story, she takes him to her favorite spots around Rothschild Boulevard.

Part three: Viki and Marilyn wander around Jaffa and its charm…

You can watch the ATV reruns here and wait for the May edition of Culinary Ambiance…

Thank you: Willem Asaert, Viviane & Viki, Raf de Mot, Walter Schrooten

 

Art · Crafting · Design · DIY · Fashion · Israel · Jaffa · Lifestyle · Neve Tzedek · Photography · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Travel guide

Noga Quarter, a bubble within the bubble…

Noga Area is a little bubble within our Tel Aviv bubble. It’s quiet and happening at the same time. Once again, one of the magic features of little Tel Aviv, you walk one street away and you’re in a totally different world. Noga is known for its little charming shops, hip cafés, upcoming artist projects and design studios. It’s surrounded by some amazing real estate renovation and conservation projects like The Village, the American Colony and actually connects Neve Tzedek to Jaffa. Together with fellow blogger and buddy Ross Belfer from Eager Tourist  and the amazing upcoming photographer Shiran “Poomilicious” Pomerantz we went on a short visit:

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Cafelix You can start off with a delicious coffee at Cafelix. If you’re a returning costumer, you may even get your own coffeecup on the wall with your name under.

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Gelada Studio Then visit Gelada Studio for some original T-shirt designs and new vintage accessories.

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Hastudia “is a multi-disciplinary studio for arts & crafts that promotes sustainable, community-oriented and creative lifestyle. Their aim is to become a hub for functional upcycled art; a place where amateurs and hobbyists alike, come to work on their own handmade projects and get their hands dirty. It is a place where people come to be empowered, learn a new skill, engage with members of their community and create.”

NaomiMaraavi

Naomi Maraavi’s shop is “an individual recycled re-designed eco collection blending art, fashion and storytelling.”

CasinoSanRemo

Casino San Remo is another hipster-hot-spot for food, drinks, art and music.

Noga

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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Architecture · History · Lifestyle · Photography · Restaurants · Tel Aviv

Tel-a-visitor

Sometimes I want to write about Tel Aviv. Sometimes I just want to show it to you. Christina Marien is a big fan of Tel Aviv , a loyal visitor, a returning customer. Luckily she always has her camera with her. Proud to introduce her as our guest photographer for this post. Here are some random TLV pictures. Thanks Christina.

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Lilienblum Street

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Brasserie  Top class French food open 24/7 –  Ibn Gvirol Street

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Coffee & Snacks on Rothschild corner Maze

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Coffee & Snacks on Rothschild corner Herzl (oldest kiosk)

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A common sight, wedding photos on Rothschild Boulevard

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Delicatessen Yehuda Halevy Street 79/81

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Sunset happens everyday

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Another common sight in Tel Aviv: hot guys

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Fresh fruit juice on Shenkin Street

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Israel has the best watermelons in the world

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Habima Theater

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Joselito

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Famous Dizengoff Square Fountain by Yaakov Agam

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Tel-O-Fun

History · Lifestyle · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Uncategorized

Good vibes at Jaffa Flea Market

There’s no doubt about it, the hotspot for your summer Tel Aviv nights in 2012 is the Jaffa Flea Market. The area has been developing immensely in the last few years and maybe it’s only the beginning. One could write about the flea market itself – ‘shuk hapishpeshim’ in Hebrew – for furniture and antique shopping or for wandering around the old galleries looking for cheap souvenirs (from Chamsa bracelets to little scarves, from jeans and leather to Thailand merch). I’d rather tell you about its most charming and magical spots: “Pu’a” for lunch and “Fleamarket” for dinner. Jaffa is only a few blocks away from south Tel Aviv and Neve Tzedek but it brings you in a completely different atmosphere. Call it Tel Aviv’s Soho or Camden, Jaffa is over 4000 years old and bursting with energy.

Pua was established in 1999 and is described as a ‘beloved, veteran and unique café-restaurant’. It is so quiet in there. The place is named after owner Puaa Ladijensky. Their menu is plain and simple; it is homely and healthy and most of the dishes are based on typical Israeli and Middle Eastern ingredients. Their green Tehina is legendary. Believe me, it’s a great “show off spot” when you have foreign guests. Serve them a fresh Limonana as you sit down (Lemonade with fresh mint) and they’ll forget about the heat. The décor at Puaa is the outcome of constant love and care. The place is full of ornaments and all of its furniture, including the tableware, is for sale.

  

photo credits Pua: http://www.rol.co.il/sites/eng/puaa for reservations: 03- 682 38 21

Flea market has been opened recently by 9 partners including famous chefs and bar owners. It’s located next to Pua on an alley called Rabi Yohanan. We Europeans love to sit outside in the hot breeze but for locals there’s the inside with AC in a super stylish design conserving the Flea Market’s vibe. The menu has a creative mix of Mediterranean dishes combined with the chefs personal inspiration. If you like seafood, get the grilled Calamari in its own black ink. Our favorite dish is called “Shoarma of Ossobucco” and is served with little al dente black lentils in creme fraîche and a yellow smooth sauce I couldn’t name. Never have I intended to become a food critic or write a gastronomy blog. I just like to share with you the places I love.

For reservations: 03- 620 22 62

photo credit Eyal Marilus

photo credit Aviad BarNes

photo credit Daniel Chechik

Architecture · Art · Entertainment · General · History · Lifestyle · Music · Restaurants · Tel Aviv

Live music on Jaffa Port’s waterfront

Tel Aviv is divided into 9 districts that have formed naturally over the city’s history. The oldest of these is Jaffa, the ancient port city out of which Tel Aviv grew. There’s much to write about Jaffa, I’d talk about the flea-market or the ancient city but let’s focus on the port today. The Old Port of Jaffa is reputed to be one of the oldest ports in the world, notably being the port from which Jonah set off in the famous Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale. Its long and fascinating history as  strategic port in the Eastern Mediterranean continued until only recently when new ports were built south of Tel Aviv in Ashdod and north in Haifa, to cater for modern-day shipping methods. Still functional as a small fishing port, the port is currently a recreational zone featuring many restaurants and cafes with lots cultural and artistic activities.

One of my favorite spots in the Namal (port in Hebrew) is called The Container. The Container is an industrial warehouse from the 1920s that has been converted into an art project space, bar and restaurant, located on the waterfront. The NY times recently wrote: “The space fuses Red Hook grit with Levantine glam, incorporating a sweeping, 45-seat horseshoe-shaped bar under a warehouse-high ceiling that affords nice views of both the oversize wood oven in the open kitchen and the rotating exhibits on the walls. Adding to the mix is a three-times-a-week D.J. set.” And live gigs:

As my brother is coming to visit Tel Aviv again, we set up a little concert there. On Friday July 6th at 10PM, N8n will perform with his Israeli band led by drummer Ori Raz for another night of good vibes by the water, some good old funk and some new ‘raw’ material. People are advised to reserve tables, entrance is free. Join us!

More info: http://www.namalyafo.co.il/http://www.container.org.il/  03- 683 63 21

Jaffa Port – photo credit Dani Jordan

The Container by night – photo credit The Container

The Container inside – photo credit Liron Erel

The Container inside – photo credit The Royal Excursion

https://www.facebook.com/events/318911194866710/

http://n8nmusic.com/

Antwerp · Food · Restaurants

Nostalgia in the North

One thing I love about Antwerp, besides Elixir d’Anvers, is the fact that – wherever you find yourself walking – it surprises you with little cosy places like this one. The “Caravan” (translated: the trailer) is a lunch bar in the north of Antwerp, very close to the Park Spoor Noord, which makes it a number one destination in Summer (in high season you can even have a picnic basket to go).

The area, better known by locals as “Den Dam”, is quite isolated from other areas in town and was recently renovated. For example the Park Spoor Noord, which used to be a large terrain that was owned by the Belgian Railroads for repairing and maintenance of trains, is now renovated into a new green lung of the city. It didn’t take long for restaurants and bars to emerge in this part of town, once economically revolved around old abattoirs (or slaughterhouses).

“Caravan” is decorated with secondhand and vintage-furniture, which gives customers the feeling of being at home. Chairs and tables of different styles and sizes, a cupboard that could’ve been owned by my grandmother, an old armchair, even the tableware makes me feel all nostalgic. The menu offers breakfast formulas with a twist, such as the “hangover breakfast”: a strong breakfast with some aspirin on the side. Lunch also looks delicious: from country food to world kitchen. And everything is as fresh as morning’s dew! “Caravan” obviously deserves a place in my top 5 of favorite breakfast & lunch bars. Oh and did I mention they have cheesecake?

“She graduated high school I bought her a trailer
In a little park by the side of the road
I could’ve had the Army
I could’ve had the Navy
But no I had to go for a mobile home”

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Trailer

De Caravan, Damplein 17, 2060 Antwerpen, T: +32 (0)3 297 68 52.

Open every Monday to Sunday between 10pm and 9am, closed on Tuesday.