Acclaimed Tel Aviv Restaurant Taizu Serves Disappointing Meal

A recent review of Taizu, a prominent Asian-inspired restaurant in Tel Aviv owned by celebrity chef Yuval Ben Neriah, found the dining experience to be severely lacking, a stark contrast to its previous reputation. The restaurant, which opened over 13 years ago and was once lauded for its design and atmosphere, has seen a decline in both its ambiance and, more critically, its cuisine.

Ben Neriah, a highly visible chef also known for his role on "Master Chef Israel" and for managing a culinary empire including other restaurants and a fish shop, faces criticism that his focus on broader business ventures may have led to neglect in his flagship establishment. The reviewer noted that while the restaurant's layout, inspired by the five elements, once impressed, it now appears dated and worn.

The meal commenced with disappointing appetizers, including "Her Gao" dumplings with an unbalanced shrimp and artichoke filling, and a shrimp salad where the tiger prawns were dry and rubbery. The reviewer specifically called out the poor preparation of the shrimp, stating that even quality frozen product requires proper cooking technique, which was absent.

Further courses continued the downward trend. "Namas" chicken dumplings were described as greasy with an unappetizing filling, and "Shanxi" beef dumplings were criticized for excessive sweetness and spice. The main courses, lamb korma and a Chinese ramp steak, were deemed uninspired and, in the case of the ramp steak, inedible due to its toughness and poor quality.

Even the dessert, a Black Forest cake, failed to impress, being described as generic, overly sweet, and generally unappetizing. The reviewer concluded that the meal was exceptionally poor, even when compared to less prestigious Asian eateries, and suggested a significant lapse in kitchen standards and oversight, attributing the decline to the chef's potential overextension with his other businesses.