Tel Aviv’s New Martinet Bar Blends Gourmet Bites with Creative Cocktails

Martinet, a new intimate venue in Tel Aviv’s Ahuzat Bayit Street, opened in February just before the Lunar New Year. It is the latest project from chef Adar Lotan and Gandi Shkolnik, partners behind the restaurant Avery, joined by cocktail expert Ori Gopher. The space offers a hybrid experience combining a cocktail bar, gastro-bar, and a smaller sibling to Avery, focusing on excellent drinks paired with small plates and a relaxed late-night atmosphere.

Located near the intersection of Allenby and Nachalat Binyamin, Martinet aims to revive Tel Aviv’s nightlife by offering a place to enjoy quality cocktails and food late into the night. The concept contrasts with Avery’s neo-bistro style centered on food and wine, providing a more casual, less formal environment. The name "Martinet" references the classic martini cocktail, discipline and attention to detail, and a horsewhip, reflected in the venue’s horse logo.

Chef Adar Lotan, 28, brings a culinary style influenced by French techniques and global flavors, emphasizing umami, salty, spicy, and sour notes that complement alcohol. Ori Gopher, 31, crafts cocktails inspired by classic recipes with a modern culinary twist, using high-quality ingredients and local production. Their collaboration blurs the line between kitchen and bar.

Signature dishes include a tuna tartare with soba noodles served in a cold dashi broth with smoked fish and ginger, designed to pair well with drinks. Another highlight is the smoked mussels with fermented tomato sauce and Turkish spinach, served with sourdough bread. The cocktail menu features a reinvented Piña Colada called "Sesame and Pineapple," combining rum, fresh pineapple, caramelized coconut cream, sesame oil, sake, and a touch of smoked whiskey.

Martinet operates Tuesday to Saturday from 7 pm until the last guest leaves, with a happy hour offering 20% off between 7 and 8 pm. Weekend brunch is available Friday and Saturday from 10 am, requiring advance reservations. Prices range from 28 to 88 shekels per dish, with a typical meal for two costing around 384 shekels excluding drinks and tip. The venue’s informal, knowledgeable staff and European-Asian aesthetic create a distinct, welcoming enclave in the bustling city.

Summary: Martinet, a new Tel Aviv bar and gastro-spot by chef Adar Lotan and mixologist Ori Gopher, offers a casual late-night venue blending creative cocktails with Asian-influenced small plates. It aims to revive the city’s nightlife with a relaxed atmosphere and refined flavors.

Points: 1. Martinet opened in February 2024 on Ahuzat Bayit Street, Tel Aviv, by Avery’s team and mixologist Ori Gopher. 2. The venue combines a cocktail bar and gastro-bar with a focus on quality drinks and small plates. 3. Chef Adar Lotan’s menu features umami-rich, Asian-inspired dishes designed to pair with cocktails. 4. Ori Gopher creates culinary cocktails using classic bases with modern, local ingredients. 5. Martinet operates Tuesday-Saturday evenings and weekend brunch by reservation, with prices from 28 to 88 shekels. 6. The concept aims to restore Tel Aviv’s late-night dining and drinking culture.

Topic: culture Israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Adar Lotan","Gandi Shkolnik","Ori Gopher"],"organizations":["Avery"],"places":["Tel Aviv","Ahuzat Bayit Street","Allenby","Nachalat Binyamin"]}