Salad Sampler
Nothing signifies summer in Israel like dining al fresco with a summer salad. In fact, salads are a way of life in Israel. When it’s hot outside, sometimes all you want is something light; a plate with a layers of vegetables – side by side – flavors complementing each other, the bounty of the season on your plate. Keren Brown seeks out the top salads of the summer
The Red Tuna Salad at Hakovshim
All the fresh, vegetables come right from Hakovshim’s own backyard, Shuk Ha Carmel, Tel Aviv’s famous market. The restaurant’s proximity with the market shines through all the ingredients: generous slices of seared tuna with a coriander seed crust, straight from the local fishmongers, atop crispy leaves of lettuce, crunchy green beans and a hard- boiled egg.
The salad also has baked potato cubes reminiscent of home fries, as well as homemade roasted peppers under a layer of soy and aioli sauce. It’s what would happen if a Caesar Salad decided to marry a Nicoise. Also memorable and delectable is the vegan endive salad with a house-made vegan cheese (made from cashew nuts) served with endive leaves, brazil nuts, walnuts and sliced pears. Hakovshim is everything you want in a neighborhood bistro: a warm vibe, stellar food, homemade bread and a chic, retro feel – plus the lapping Med two blocks away.
48 Hakovshim St. 03-5108555
Fakus Salad at Han Manuli
The star of this salad is the “Fakus” an Arab cucumber (also known as an Armenian cucumber) a cross between a cucumber and a zucchini and part of the melon family. Chunks of Fakus mingle with multi-colored cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, toasted croutons, Jibneh (a semi-hard Arab cheese) and some goat’s yogurt.
This compact no-frills food joint is known for its Masabacha, a revved up version of hummus with warm, chunky chickpeas ,garlic and other trimmings. Another drool-worthy salad is the Thai okra salad–large, al dente okra with tomatoes, hot green peppers and tahini. A restaurant with a “drinking spirit”, chasers are passed around to loosen the vibe, laid-back and delicious, a great place to take a well-deserved lunch break.
7 Beit Eshel St, Jaffa. 03-6767884
Bean Thread Noodle Salad at The Bun
This refreshing salad is composed of stringy bean thread noodles, green papaya, juicy hand-picked cherry tomatoes, exceedingly fresh green beans, mint leaves, chili, and a light fruity and piquant dressing, all topped with peanuts. The balance between the kick of the spice and the cooling flavors make this dish the quintessential summer salad, Situated close to the entrance of Shuk HaCarmel (The Carmel Market), this must-visit Asian street food bar has a chill atmosphere, vibrantly fresh ingredients, and menu items that possess a zing of palate-pleasing flavors. It would be a shame not to order a helping of the pillowy steamed buns, especially the version filled with succulent pulled beef and a miso barbecue sauce.
18 Hillel HaZaken St. 03-6044725
Chef’s Salad at Cordelia Bistro
It all starts of with the exceptionally fresh vegetables, hand-picked by acclaimed Chef Nir Zook. Large slices of cucumber, radishes, radish sprouts, sliced onion, carrots, and cabbage are combined with a medley of fresh herbs and homemade croutons, with an optional, anchovy and yogurt cream on top. The combination of the smooth Greek Feta and the fresh olive oil (made by Nir’s older brother) give the salad a bright Mediterranean flavor, unique to Israel. The salad is served in a roomy metal mixing bowl, a chef’s trick to a perfectly tossed salad.
Cordelia Bistro is located next to Cordelia, Jaffa’s award- winning fine dining restaurant in the “Cordelia Home”. The home is in an ancient structure from the Ottoman era showcasing high ceilings, intricate architectural details and gorgeous plants that line the walls. The bistro has a more casual vibe, with the same stellar ingredients. Everything is handmade from the bread to the pasta to the desserts. For a pasta treat, order the comforting beet pasta filled with tahini and a creamy goat cheese.
14 HaTsorfim St, Jaffa. 03-5184668
Cafe Birnbaum Salad Bar
Down the street from the beautiful Nachalat Binyamin craft market (open Tuesdays and Fridays) stands a neighborhood place with an extensive salad bar buffet of down-to- earth hot and cold dishes. Cafe Birnbaum has over 50 options from light cabbage salads and bean salads to buckwheat and couscous. A cast of distinctive “Tel Aviv” characters–from hungry young beachgoers to patrons of “ a certain age”– have been eating there for years, all there for the same reason: to feel at home. Established in 1962, Cafe Birnbaum is open from 10.30 am-3 pm, Sunday to Friday. For NIS 50 (cash only), you can have all you can eat hot and cold salads, quiches and other vegetarian grub.
31 Nachalat Binyamin St. 03-5600066
Orna and Ella’s Salat Hakol, Everything Salad
It’s almost impossible to imagine a restaurant over 20 years old that remains contemporary and adored, with people lined up out the door. It’s even more remarkable that an original menu item is not only still sought-after, but refreshing and up to date.
The “Everything Salad” is all that. Diced tomatoes and cucumbers just like traditional Israeli/Arab salads but then topped with creamy feta cheese and a plethora of greens including parsley, spearmint and slightly bitter rocket leaves. On top, a creamy sauce made of generous handfuls of fresh herbs adds the final touch. All this is presented under croutons toasted to perfection. Share this salad with a friend, alongside the famed flagship sweet potato pancakes. Even world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi features a version of Orna and Ella’s sweet potato pancakes in his much-loved cook book Plenty.
33 Sheinkin St. 03-5252085
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