Couple Runs Exclusive Kosher Tasting Menu Restaurant in Lod's Backyard

Galit Or visited DAW, a small kosher dairy restaurant in Lod run by chef Or Ben Simon and his wife Sarah. The intimate venue hosts only 24 diners twice a week in their home courtyard, offering a ten-course tasting menu served on specially crafted ceramic dishes. Or and Sarah, a warm and observant couple, create a welcoming atmosphere akin to a family Shabbat dinner, with attentive service including a friendly waitress.

The meal begins with brioche bread served on river stones alongside changing dips, followed by tapas-style dishes such as a crispy corn taco with avocado cream and Morello cherry coulis. The standout dish for Or was the red tuna tartare presented on a large plate with detailed instructions to mix all components before tasting. This dish features lemon whiskey aioli, cherry aguachile, pine nuts, sumac, and Urfa pepper, leaving a lasting impression.

Other highlights include leek espuma with confit leek in brown butter, miso chickpeas, and sheep cheese, as well as tempura fish with coleslaw and blueberry gastrique, showcasing the chef's skill in balancing textures and flavors. A visually stunning dish of shishbarak dumplings filled with corn cream on Parmesan cream and dashi broth, garnished with grilled fresh corn and green oil, further impressed diners. The menu changes regularly, and the experience lasts about two and a half hours with a quiet ambiance that allows guests to savor each course.

Reservations are required in advance, and the restaurant holds Mehadrin kosher certification from the Lod Rabbinate. Galit Or recommends arriving with an open mind to fully appreciate the chef's creativity and the unique dining experience at DAW.