Chef Eyal Shani Takes Over Asif Restaurant Amid Major Changes

The well-known restaurant Asif is undergoing significant transformation as it prepares to close and reopen under the leadership of chef Eyal Shani. The current chef, Omer Shaham, and his team, who have been running the popular Cafe Asif, will be leaving. The restaurant is set to relaunch this fall as "Asif by Eyal Shani," aiming to become a flagship venue with a distinctly Israeli culinary perspective that reflects contemporary Israel. The new concept will build on Shani's influential style in the local culinary scene.

Asif's management expressed gratitude to Shaham and his team for their creativity and dedication, which gave Cafe Asif its unique identity. Alongside this change, another development involves Shani's flagship restaurant, North Abrakess, a beloved Tel Aviv institution on Lilienblum Street. Due to upcoming extensive renovations or urban renewal plans for the building housing North Abrakess, the restaurant will have to relocate. Shani's team is actively searching for a suitable new location in the city to continue operations without disruption.

These changes mark a strategic shift for Asif, aiming for a larger, more international presence while maintaining a strong Israeli culinary voice. The transitions highlight the evolving landscape of Tel Aviv's dining scene and the challenges posed by real estate developments.