Israeli Chef Assaf Granit Launches Innovative Ice Cream Shop in Paris

Israeli chef Assaf Granit is expanding his culinary ventures in Paris by opening his first chef-driven ice cream shop, "Lick," near his Michelin-starred restaurant. This new business will be Granit's fifth in Paris, joining Shabour, Tact, Shana, and Kapara (currently under renovation). Additionally, a new seafood restaurant named "Dagim" will open soon in the 16th arrondissement, offering views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

Granit describes "Lick" as a "chef’s ice cream" concept, where ice cream is prepared in an open kitchen visible to customers, blending cooking creativity with ice cream making. The menu features bold and unusual flavors, such as rice and noodle ice cream, olive oil ice cream topped with blini and caviar, and lemon tart ice cream inspired by babka cake. Granit and his partners from the Machneyuda group, Uri Navon, Dan Yosha, and Tomer Landsman, aim to develop "Lick" into a global ice cream chain, potentially expanding to Israel.

Despite challenges for Israeli businesses in Europe, Granit reports rapid growth in Paris, which serves as their European hub. Their restaurant on the French Riviera is also performing well. Granit emphasizes their Israeli identity, with restaurant names in Hebrew and openness about their origins. Regarding Jerusalem, he notes a positive sign of tourism returning as English is increasingly heard on the streets, which is vital for the city's economy.

Looking ahead, Granit plans to open additional "Lick" locations in London or Paris and definitely intends to bring the concept to Israel, ensuring the brand extends beyond Europe.