Monday, February 8, 2010



Take the Ajami Tour

Ajami, Israel’s entry in the Oscar race has been nominated for Best Foreign Picture. This marks the third year in a row that an Israeli film has been nominated. Co directed by Scandor Copti and Yaron Shani, the film has brought tourists to the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa.



Led by local resident Kosta Mansour the three hour tour for up to 35 people (1600 NIS) meets with various characters from the film and local community leaders in the Ajami neighborhood. Tours in Hebrew or English for large or small groups can be arranged through organizers Devora Yanai (050-522-9050) and Esti Lev-Or (050-474-8807) of Zemach Bar Tours. This is not your usual tourist visit to the artist’s shops in Old Jaffa. The tours are not meant to be a political but due to the subject of the film and the location of the tour the political and historical history of Jaffa are discussed.



Thursday, February 4, 2010

Road Trip – Zichron Yaacov

T in Tel Aviv has been to (or thru) Zichron Yaacov numerous times but usually as a quick stopover on the way to somewhere else. The train from Tel Aviv to Binyamina (7 minutes south of Zichron) only takes 30-40 minutes and cabs are available at the station for the short drive to Zichron.

Before heading into Zichron my travel companions and I took a quick stroll through Ramat HaNadiv just south of Zichron. Donated and maintained by the Rothschild Family, the park is a pleasure to visit with its award winning eco-friendly visitors center and beautifully appointed gardens. Make sure you visit the medicinal herb garden – the curry plant is quite odiferous.

Adjacent to the visitors center is a wonderful restaurant – Kerem Zeitim– a glass structure (pictured below) that allows you to enjoy the surrounding scenary while you eat. The menu is extensive (green shakshuka and other egg dishes for brunch) but even a coffee break before continuing with your day would be worth the stop. (closed on Saturdays)

Once you are in the center of Zichron Yaacov everything to do and see is within walking distance. Wine tasting and tours are available at the Carmel Mizrahi Winery (English links don’t work!) from Sunday – Friday and must be booked in advance – 04-629-0977. The wine cellars were built in 1892 by Baron Rothschild.

It is worth visiting the First Aliyah Museum which is housed in a building built by (you guessed it) The Rothschild Family. The film archives include footage shot in 1913 which apparently is the first film footage showing early life in Israel. The Ahronson House, the home of one of Zichron’s founding families is also a must see.

The main street of Zichron is Hameyasdim St. (“the founders”) and is filled with restaurants and shops. Other than McDonald’s discreet signage there are no signs of chain restaurants. Imagine that. A town in Israel without an Aroma, CafĂ© Hillel or Coffee Bean! You’ll also see Benjamin’s Pool which was built by the baron to help the locals carry water to their homes. There are the usual touristy shops but also some cute jewelry and knick knack shops. Ginger at the south end of Hameyasdim St. is the local version of Williams - Sonoma with a nice selection of herbs and cooking utensils. Prices are considerably lower than in similar shops in Tel Aviv.

Although located between Binyamina and Zichron Yaacov, the family owned Tishbi Wine Cellars offers tours and wine tasting. On Zichron's Hameyasdim St. there is the Tishbi Wine Bar and Shop where the Tishbi wines are sold.

Finally, it was time to eat. We were disappointed to learn that Amigos, a much raved about Mexican fish restaurant had gone out of business. The word is that this place was authentic and tasty, something that is hard to find in Mexican restaurants in Israel. Plan B at #27 Hameyasdim St. turned out to be a good choice – Ha Nishika ,(“the kiss”) a Zichron culinary institution. Click on the picture below for Daniel Rogov's review. The restaurant's website is in Hebrew only so you'll have to trust T in Tel Aviv. The food was varied and delicious as was the atmosphere...and the company of course.

I left Zichron on a 15:20 train and walked through my front door at 16:15. Zichron is so close to Tel Aviv it is a shame not to take this easy day trip from time to time.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Wine Expo in Tel Aviv

The 3rd International Wine Expo will takes place at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds from the 9th – 11th of February 2010. The exhibition is organized by the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds, The Israeli Wine Magazine and The Grape Man Wine Center.

The exhibition is open to professionals from around the world– importers and exporters, foreign buyers, the press and investors – with an emphasis on the Israeli wine industry. The exhibition will be open to the general public (18 years and older ONLY) on the 10th and 11th (Wednesday and Thursday) from 16:00 – 22:00. Tastings of 10 wines + a wine glass are included in the entrance price of 60 NIS per person. To purchase discounted tickets in advance (49NIS) click here.


A number of workshops are also offered but require advance registration.


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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Artichokes at the Tel Aviv Farmer’s Market

T in Tel Aviv took a stroll over to Tel Aviv's Farmer’s Market last Friday and bought THE most beautiful artichokes and the "Meshek Shel Noam" stall. This is the height of the artichoke season in Israel and the artichokes are huge and tasty. At 10 NIS for 4 artichokes they are also a deal!


According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board virtually 100 percent of all artichokes grown in the U.S. come from California. As commodities go, when compared to items like corn, wheat and rice, artichokes are a minor crop. Total crop value for the 2007-2008 crop year was more than $50 million. Average production for the past 5 years has been over 4 million cartons.

Ha Meshek Shel Noam from Moshav Nir Banim (south of Kiryat Malachi) has some great recipes in Hebrew. During the month of February Noam is offering an artichoke based Saturday brunch. Reservations are a must. Contact Noam - 054-227-8637.

Ocean Mist Farms located in Castroville, California (artichoke capital of the world) has a website that offers over 100 recipes that use artichokes.

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Sunday, January 24, 2010


Coming to Tel Aviv ......

Elton John, Santana, Paul Anka and maybe Bob Dylan

Elton John will return to Israel for one concert on June 17th at the Ramat Gan Stadium. The concert is sponsored by Bank Discount which is investing about $1 million in the event. Bank Discount customers will be offered tickets at special prices. 15,000 tickets will be sold for seats on the grass and another 32,000 seats will be offered in the gallery. Bank customers will pay between 200NIS - 900 NIS ($68-$245) per ticket while regular tickets will go on sale to the general public for 350NIS - 1,000NIS ($95 -$272). Tickets for bank customer go on sale February 9th and on the 13th to the general public.



June will be a good month for good music in Israel as Carlos Santana performs at Jaffa’s Bloomfield Stadium for one night, June 3rd. Tickets, which range in price from 290 to 1250 NIS, are available from Castel at 972 3 6045000

Paul Anka is coming back May 29th ! He was just in Israel a few months ago and I guess the audience begged for more. Tickets through Castel.


There's a rumor that Bob Dylan will be in Israel May 27th. Unconfirmed at this point. And...the young Tel Avivian is excited that Metallica is coming to Ramat Gan Stadium on the 21st of May.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Water Sheer - Providing Drinking Water in Haiti - You Can Help!

One of the most difficult challenges in Haiti is the lack of potable drinking water. The Israeli company Water Sheer has developed products that allow the purification of almost all sources of water. These portable systems can supply 1,000-7,000 liters drinkable water!

Chairman of Water Sheer Ron Shani and CEO Yossie Sandsk have joined with the Israeli Foreign Ministry to raise funds from the high tech sector (and anyone else of course) to send these portable systems to Haiti.

$1,000 can create 30,000 liters of purified water which in turn can provide water for 15,000 people per day. As a “bonus” each company that contributes $1,000 can have their logo placed on the purification unit. The Foreign Ministry is taking care of all of the logistics while Water Sheer is supplying the units at cost.

To make a contribution please contact Yossie Sandak at Water Sheer on his cell phone – 972-50-541-1200 or by email - yossie@watersheer.com .

Thursday, January 21, 2010

TuttiFoodie

T in Tel Aviv can’t remember how she got to TuttiFoodie…or how TuttfiFoodie got to T in Tel Aviv. Self described as “omnivores, carnivores, chocovores, bacon-vores, vegetarians, vegans, and people who laugh in the face of the suffix “vore” it's clear that they love to eat and imbibe!

They care about the environment and therefore the sources of what they eat and drink are important. But they are human so they eat “Fluff” from to time time. Sound familiar???


A recent post on TuttifFoodie that caught my eye – Bee’s Knees about Bee Kind, a one-of-a-kind beekeeping and honey boutique in Sebastopol, California. And….There’s finally a place for single foodies to meet one another – TuttiePersonals:


M, 28, stubbornly sticking to comfort foods, seeks same. zoomba1@live.com


I love trying out new recipes—from classic brisket to steamy pho—and I need a tester (male)! A sous chef would be icing on the cake. Or maybe you can build a fire or catch a trout? I live in the North Georgia mountains near a running stream. notajap15@gmail.com


Is Julia Child your hero? Michael Pollen your favorite author? Enjoy sipping your way through local vineyards? Energized by an afternoon at a farmers' market? Sweet spicy Italian (F, 37) seeking joyful, sustainable relationship (M) in the MA/CT/NY tri-state area. warmspirits2@hotmail.com