Tel Aviv Restaurant Offers Parisian Dining Experience
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
The Tel Aviv restaurant Balaffi now offers a Parisian brasserie-style dinner, aiming to provide a high-quality dining experience with attentive service and delicious food. Highlights include complimentary bread, French onion soup, and highly praised mussels in bouillabaisse sauce. The reviewer found the experience comparable to a "vacation in Paris" despite the high prices.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Balaffi restaurant in Tel Aviv offers a Parisian brasserie dining experience.
- The restaurant is located in Dizengoff Square within The Norman hotel.
- Complimentary bread and a highly praised mussels in bouillabaisse sauce were highlights.
- The reviewer described the experience as a "vacation in Paris for 500 shekels."
- The establishment previously served only breakfast, now offers dinner.
The restaurant Balaffi, located in Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square within the The Norman hotel, has transformed its evening offerings, shifting from breakfast-only to a full dinner menu. The establishment, which opened a year ago and was previously known for its popular breakfast service, now aims to provide a classic Parisian brasserie experience. The reviewer describes the ambiance as a beautiful, high-quality imitation of a Parisian or New York brasserie, surpassing previous attempts in Israel.
Despite high prices, the dining experience is deemed worthwhile due to attentive service and delicious food, creating a feeling of a "vacation in Paris for 500 shekels." A notable detail is the complimentary bread basket with olive oil and tomato dip, a rarity in a city where bread is often charged extra. The meal began with a classic French onion soup, followed by a highly praised mussels in bouillabaisse sauce, described as potentially the best the reviewer has ever tasted.
Other dishes sampled included gnocchi with fish, noted for its soft texture and flavorful sauce, and a large crepe suzette for dessert. The meal was accompanied by wine, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The reviewer observed patrons speaking English, suggesting a mix of old money and international visitors, and expressed hope that this reflects Tel Aviv's ongoing dynamism rather than a fleeting trend.