From Pasta to Schnitzel: Tel Aviv’s Viral Restaurateur Opens Oscar’s
Tel Aviv restaurateur Tal Rishovsky, once nicknamed the “Pasta Nazi” for his brusque style and erratic pasta-shop hours, has opened a new place called Oscar’s in the city’s Park HaMesila area. The venue, which began operating only days ago, serves schnitzel exclusively and sits on the edge of the park, with one entrance from Nahalat Binyamin and another directly from the park.
Rishovsky first became a viral figure through his “Open Closed” Facebook page, where he would sometimes announce only minutes in advance whether his pasta restaurant would open that day. He later took part in the 2026 season of “Come Dine With Me” on Kan 11, hosting fellow restaurateurs at his home in Jaffa, which widened his recognition beyond Tel Aviv.
Oscar’s has a tightly focused menu of four schnitzels and one salad. The available dishes included chicken schnitzel with mashed potatoes and salad for 88 shekels, sweet corn schnitzel for 88 shekels, and veal schnitzel with plum jam for 108 shekels. A limone scaloppina dish is listed at the ordering kiosk for 94 shekels but is not yet being served, and neither are the veal and white schnitzels. Sides include mashed potatoes for 42 shekels, potatoes with sage butter, and crisp fried potato coins called “Pire Reggiano.”
The reviewer described the corn schnitzel as heavily coated, browned and sweet, more of an experience than a bite, while the chicken schnitzel was simple, juicy and large enough to share. Bread crumbs are made on site from loaves displayed on the shelves, and the tomato ketchup was praised. The restaurant also offers a salad with baby gem lettuce, pears, hazelnuts, radish and Gruyere for 52 shekels, along with a caramelized cheesecake for dessert.
Prices are high, but the review said the food, portions and atmosphere justified some of it. Wine can be added for 10 shekels with a meal, and a pina colada gazoz cost 12 shekels. The writer said the experience changed her expectations of Rishovsky, noting that he personally oversees the room and even issued a manual refund after a menu pricing error. Oscar’s opens from 6 p.m., though customers are advised to check Instagram because opening days are still irregular.
