Culinary Scene Flourishes on Road to Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
A burgeoning culinary scene has taken root on the road to Jerusalem, with new eateries attracting significant crowds. "Bakery Harim" in Kiryat Anavim produces hundreds of pastries daily, while "Nura" restaurant offers flame-cooked dishes in a historic former cowshed. "Cafe Chama'at Ha'orchidim" in Ma'ale Hachamisha has transformed an old greenhouse into a popular cafe, blending local history with modern gastronomy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A new culinary scene is developing on the road to Jerusalem, attracting many visitors.
- Kiryat Anavim's "Bakery Harim" produces up to 1,000 pastries daily, with a staff of 30.
- Restaurant "Nura" in Kiryat Anavim cooks all its food over open flames in a historic building.
- The "Nura" restaurant is located in the first cowshed of Kiryat Anavim, where Tnuva began dairy production.
- "Cafe Chama'at Ha'orchidim" in Ma'ale Hachamisha was established in a former abandoned orchid greenhouse.
- The cafe "Cafe Chama'at Ha'orchidim" maintains a connection to its past by selling orchids.
A vibrant culinary scene has emerged along the winding road to Jerusalem, transforming the area between Kiryat Anavim and Ma'ale Hachamisha into a destination for food lovers. This development adds a new layer of appeal to the historic mountain route, known for its clear air and scenic beauty.
Kiryat Anavim, founded in 1920 as Israel's fifth kibbutz, is now a hub for unique gastronomic experiences. "Bakery Harim" draws long lines of customers seeking its sweet and savory pastries. The bakery's pastry chef, Arbel Shauli, noted that while their kitchen is large, they could use more space, with a team of nearly 30 pastry chefs producing around 800 pastries daily, exceeding 1,000 on weekends.
Nearby, "Nura," an "ash restaurant" where all dishes are cooked over open flames, is located in the former first cowshed of Kiryat Anavim. Operational chef Adi Levi explained that "Nura" means fire in Aramaic, and the restaurant's design centers around its visible grill and tabun oven. The space preserves historical elements, including parts of the original floor and beams, from when "Tnuva" began its dairy production there with four cows.
Further along, at the entrance to Kibbutz Ma'ale Hachamisha, founded in 1938 as part of the "Tower and Stockade" settlements, sits "Cafe Chama'at Ha'orchidim" (Orchid Greenhouse Cafe). This establishment was created by the Aslan family in the kibbutz's abandoned orchid greenhouse. Owner Daniela Zilbershtein Aslan recounted how they were initially drawn to water the remaining orchids, which inspired the idea for the cafe. The cafe maintains a connection to its origins by always selling orchids, as they were the only plants that survived when the greenhouse closed. Daniela, a jeweler by profession, handles the cafe's design, while her husband David manages the menu. She described the location's magic as stemming from the kibbutz's unique, tranquil greenery.