Berta Restaurant Disappoints with Mall Setting and High Prices
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Berta, a new Italian restaurant by chef Yossi Shitrit in Tel Aviv's Ramat Aviv Mall, has been criticized for its high prices and disappointing food quality within a noisy food court setting. Dishes like the sea bass carpaccio and undercooked pasta failed to impress, leading the reviewer to conclude the experience did not justify the cost. The restaurant's pricing is compared to fine dining, but the ambiance and execution fall short.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Berta restaurant in Ramat Aviv Mall criticized for high prices and mall setting.
- Chef Yossi Shitrit's new Italian eatery failed to impress reviewers.
- Dishes like sea bass carpaccio and undercooked pasta were found lacking.
- The noisy food court environment detracted from the dining experience.
- Reviewer concluded the food quality did not justify the premium pricing.
Berta, a new Italian eatery by chef Yossi Shitrit located in the Ramat Aviv Mall's new food court, has failed to impress reviewers. Despite Shitrit's culinary background, including his previous successful restaurants, Berta's high prices are deemed unjustified given its setting. The reviewer noted that eating in a noisy, open space filled with shoppers and children, rather than a traditional restaurant, makes it difficult to accept the premium pricing, especially when the food doesn't measure up.
The meal began with a white fish carpaccio, identified as sea bass, served with grapes, cilantro, arugula, chili, soy, and pistachios. The reviewer found the combination to be a "mumbo jumbo" that added little, and the portion of fish was minimal with a weak flavor. A panzanella salad followed, featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and thin bread slices. While the salad was generous in size, it was described as lacking seasoning.
For main courses, the reviewer ordered Cacio e Pepe and Limone pasta. Both dishes, made with store-bought spaghetti, were reportedly undercooked, resulting in a texture that was too firm. The Limone pasta was overly lemony and accompanied by pistachios and grated cheese, which did not salvage its blandness. The Cacio e Pepe was also described as anemic, despite the black pepper.
The meal was accompanied by a glass of wine and a Sprite. Although the pasta and salad portions were large, the reviewer did not finish them, attributing this partly to a lack of enthusiasm for the dishes. The reviewer opted to skip dessert and coffee, concluding that while the mall location might temper expectations, Berta's offerings did not justify its prices.