Tel Aviv Dalida Restaurant

The secret to happiness in a hour (or there about) is an early evening supper at a super south Tel Aviv restaurant named Dalida. Sweet friends invited us to join them for “Happy Hour” in this casual but inventive eatery, knowing that we mega munchers would enjoy both the food and discounted prices on selected dishes. A dream for those that love to eat and sample as many plates as possible.

Needless to say, gloves were off and we set about ordering delightful dishes designated as shareable among four with two non meat eaters. Before we had even open our mouths however, a saucer of garlicky dressed al dente butter-beans were placed on the table together with a small bowl of unshelled peanuts. This was I assume, to stimulate our appetites and thirst, neither of which needed much encouragement one my account anyway..

We chose a selection of unusual salad combinations such as courgette,cherry tomato & artichoke and artichoke served with creamed avocado, a glass platter of delicate white fish carpaccio, fishy cutlets in salty gravy, crispy fried, pale battered barboonia type fish accompanied by fried potato wedges and a plate of truly tasty tortellini. We washed this down with a nice bottle of red vino – the preferred choice of the evening and a ‘spirited’ chaser surprisingly supplied by the restaurant. Since the conversation was flowing and the atmosphere fun, Sweet men decided diet or not they would indulge in dessert.. A dissolve in the mouth cheese cake mousse with hidden pieces of apple and banana and a texture that was hard to resist -bring on the spoons!

The restaurant was named after a famous Egyptian born singer/actress of Italian heritage, (Iolanda Christina Giglotti). Dalida as she was widely known, recorded in more than 10 languages, European tongues, Japanese, Hebrew and Arabic. With her music she bridged the gap between continents and the restaurant tries to reflect this in the decor and menu

Dalida is located on Zevulun street one of the yet undeveloped roads near Levinski market in south Tel Aviv. It’s a little ray of light in the otherwise drab surroundings and seems to be frequented by the trendies of the city and tourists in the know, of every age group. The environment is warm, friendly and bustling. Simple but sturdy furniture including a wall complete shelved with bar bottles, eclectic wall art and candles of dripped that would fit perfectly in a Greek Taverna. Mama Mia !

When we four were there, the place was bubbling with customers , humming with chatter and background music. The menu even without Happy Hour is reasonably price and the cuisine interesting, inventive and deliciously edible! The service was very pleasant, attentive and many . Good Appetite!

PS Next week or so the owners of Dalida are opening a bar opposite the restaurant – check in to the blog for updates!