Chef Omer Alouan Revives Top Arabic Cuisine with New Terracotta Restaurant on Route 444
Chef Omer Alouan, renowned for his groundbreaking Arabic restaurant Algefen which operated until 2017, has launched a new dining venue named Terracotta located on Route 444 between Tayibe and Tzur Yitzhak. The new restaurant revives iconic dishes from Algefen, blending traditional Arabic flavors with modern culinary techniques in a luxurious setting that cost 3 million shekels to build. Terracotta features a spacious, palace-like design and offers a diverse menu divided into categories such as starters, "Mom’s Doughs," "Galilee Field," Italian-inspired dishes, oven-baked items, Josper grill specialties, and seafood.
Signature dishes include the mezze platter with muhamarra, hummus, labneh, eggplants in tahini, and zucchini salad; hot focaccia with tomato, tahini, garlic confit, olives, and pickles; and the expertly grilled filet mignon with salted caramel sauce. Other highlights are original arancini with truffle cream, a unique Syrian kubbeh served as a raw minced meat patty with bulgur, and the highly praised lahmajoun topped with minced meat, arugula, pomegranate molasses, and chili pepper. The menu also features Italian dishes like cheese ravioli and seafood pasta, as well as oven pizzas and a variety of meat dishes including lamb ribs and spicy Aleppine kebab.
Desserts include kataifi filled with nuts and the rare "Umm Ali" pastry with cream, cinnamon, coconut, and pistachios. The restaurant combines a high-end atmosphere with professional service and reasonable prices, making it a notable destination for Arabic cuisine enthusiasts. Terracotta operates Sunday through Saturday from 4 PM to 11 PM and is part of a broader trend of innovative Arabic eateries in Israel that elevate traditional dishes with contemporary flair and stylish presentation.
This new venture marks Chef Alouan’s return to the culinary scene and is already considered the best Arabic restaurant currently operating in Israel, continuing his legacy of redefining Arabic gastronomy.
