C
osmopolitan Tel Aviv is
really having a moment.
With over 1,200 high-tech
companies, it is often
referred to the “Next
Silicon Valley,” so it’s no wonder
that their economy is booming.
What this means to visitors is
a seemingly endless array of
fashionable new restaurants, funky
art galleries, re-purposed hipster
neighborhoods and a variety of
shopping choices that include
everything from world-class
designers to eclectic street
markets. If/when you’re ever too
tired to shop you can simply flop
on one of the city’ golden beaches
and soak up the sun.
Suite Sleep
The Intercontinental David Tel
Aviv is a gleaming, light-filled,
beachfront luxury hotel that makes
a perfect home base for your
girlfriend getaway. All your needs
are met and they’ll even raise you
one if you reserve one of their
humongous suites with magnificent
views of the Mediterranean Sea,
since they comes with free access
to the exclusive Club Lounge.
We took full advantage of the
tasty food and drinks available
throughout the day, as well as
the panoramic views and smiling
service. After I handed the
concierge a pile of scribbled notes,
she immediately organized them
into a perfect day of exploring.
The spacious guest rooms are
decorated in soothing earthtones,
and the elegant bathrooms are
filled with a generous assortment
of Dead Sea products. (Shhh: I even
managed to score a few extra bars
of the healing soaps to bring home
for gifts!)
Dining options include a buffet,
a fine-dining restaurant, a seaview terrace bar and a cigar
lounge. Other amenities include
a fitness center, a spa, and an
outdoor pool with a bar.
I tended to overindulge at the
international buffet breakfasts,
piling my plate with a scrumptious
array of smoked fish, Israeli salads,
fresh breads and pastries. I loved
the hot mini-cheesecakes, topping
them with their homemade sugarfree fruit jams, which I chose
to believe, offset the calories.
Thankfully, I didn’t discover the
addictive halvah smoothies until
my last morning.
Tempting Eats
The stylish Social Club is always
hopping due to its sexy black and
18
wood-filled décor, fab bar scene
with a roster of signature
cocktails, such as the Wild Berry
(Beefeater Gin shaken with fresh
strawberries, homemade Tonka
Syrup and Cava) and the wellexecuted bistro food, ranging
from a French classic: Pate de
Foie Gras with onion marmalade,
to an Israeli-influenced Calamari
a la Plancha served with warm
fava bean and tahini.
Mizlala (“stuff your face,” in
Hebrew) is hip, without rubbing
it in your face. Chef Meir Adoni
creates Mediterranean comfort
food with a sophisticated bent,
served family style at the
minimalist wooden tables. We
preferred to watch all the action
from the long marble bar which
snakes through the restaurant.
There are many tempting veggie
options here, such as the rich
spinach and ricota ravioli,
Jerusalem artichoke cream, Jordan
mushrooms, asparagus, chestnuts,
sage and butter sauce -- or you can
go Paleo with a Palestinian version
of the steak tartar made with
chopped rump steak, tahini, pine
nuts, yogurt and cumin.
For an authentic dining event, sign
up for an EatWith dinner. EatWith
is a wildly popular culinary
experience, where local foodies
invite people to dine in their
homes. Although it is now available
in over 150 cities around the world,
EatWith originated in Tel Aviv.
My friend and I took a chance and
booked the “Secrets of My Magical
Arabic Cuisine” which turned out
to be an unforgettable evening.
Dinner was at a cozy home on the
outskirts of Jaffa, where our
hostess, Alia, had prepared over
a dozen Arab dishes based on
old family recipes. Her gracious
husband, Mahmoud, was kept busy
translating our raves about her
food, since she does not speak
English. Ask him to show you
his artwork, which consists of
paintings, stained glass, etc.
Insider Tip: Alia also offers
hands-on cooking workshops
where she’ll divulge the “secrets”
to preparing an Arab feast.
Drink the Night Away
Barhopping in Tel Aviv, the city
that never snoozes, is almost as
mandatory as serving in the Israeli
armed forces. T.A. nightlife runs
24-7, so you can easily spend the
night jumping between upscale
bars, hipster hangouts and massive
dance clubs with international DJs.