Alluring Allora Lunch-Tel Aviv

After a long Saturday morning lazing on the beautiful beach in Tel Aviv, my sun kissed man and I, were in a relaxed mode but neither of us in the mood to prepare lunch. The sun rays and sea spray had done a good job of chilling us out so we couldn’t face fiddling with food or going near the heat of the stove. Instead, we decided that a very good compromise would be to have a quick  light lunch to re-energize and cook dinner in the evening instead.

With no shortage of eateries open at midday in Tel Aviv, we thought to pick up a pizza or pasta and follow the pleasant Italian habit of a little afternoon siesta to sleep the carb away.

Stimulated by this foodie thought, we turned our attention to Allora on Ben Gurion Boulevard, in the hope that the  little corner restaurant could satisfy our simple cravings. .

Walking up the short staircase through the door into a blast of calming cool air-conditioning we comfortably positioned ourselves at a table for four (extra space needed for beach paraphernalia). Sitting adjacent to the wide windows we were overlooking the narrow balcony with ice cream parlor tables and dog friendly tree lined avenue.This, the newest branch of  Allora in Tel Aviv, had a similar green avenue aspect to the original branch, situated on Rothschild Boulevard.

In anticipation of the menu of which we were already fairly familiar, simple home-style rustic Italian dishes, we resolved to share one buffalo cheese salad dish, a fettuccine bolognese, plus a pizza topped with a little extra protein of thinly sliced beef.

With a thirst for nothing stronger (or more satisfying) than cold iced water, we passed on the suggestion of wine. So the only ‘red’ I saw that afternoon was the bloodshot eyes of  my better half….

Our caprese salad consisted of large plump fresh & small sweet cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, crisp sliced radish, fluffy milky buffalo mozzarella, topped with marinated hot green chili peppers. The pizza arrived on a thin crispy bake dough base, spread with a savory tomato paste and covered with layers of finely sliced beef strips, accompanied by a plate full of  aromatic meaty fettuccine. We must have been mega hungry as we greedily demolished the lot in a space of 20 minutes, barely taking air to breath between mouthfuls!

The restaurant  is well known for it’s Neapolitan style pizzas produced from it’s traditional brick oven. Unlike the Rothschild branch, this oven is  unseen by the clients as it is positioned in the kitchen. Instead, our view was of a small but  tidy corner well stocked bar, simple styled tables and Parisian backed chairs, soft low hanging glass lighting, lovely large dark framed windows and exposed silvery ceiling a/c tubing. Even with this more “modern” decor, this branch retains a casual and inviting family atmosphere.

The service was pleasant and laid-back. Although the menu is clearly focused on pizzas and pasta, Allora does offer three risotto options and a few meat dishes. The selection not overly exciting or particularly  inventive, but it is was it claims to be. The food is enjoyable and very affordable.

♥Allora

39 Ben Gurion Boulevard

+972-3-566-5655