Tel Aviv City Lunch

You already know that I am fond of my food. I enjoy almost of what is served to me, more so because I don’t have to negotiate with a temperamental oven or extinguish the burning saucepan that I forget on the hob. All that said, this Mondays ” luncheon” was just exceptionally Yummy!

Hubbie decided to spoil me and his little girl (maybe he could not endure another bout of heartburn after eating my last concoction, only jesting..) so we had a brisk walk to the seafront area to indulge in a midday nosh (lunch) at “Raphael”. The restaurant is located within the Dan Tower Tel Aviv Hotel but in order to access it you must enter through a door adjacent to the hotels main entrance. Stepping into this cold, empty hotel lobby is about as welcoming as a cold shower on a freezing day, but take no heed, a short descent down a elegant staircase and you are admitted to the world of contemporary dining.

The atmosphere is classically casual ( like wearing chinos instead of formal trousers) and the layout is rather bistro like. White and pale wooden furniture broken up by a display of potted leafy plants, lowered ceilings, tall glass fronted cabinets containing racks of wine standing against one wall but nearly hidden by a cleverly place partition and a large bar situated to the rear of the seating area for those that prefer a little more privacy from prying eyes. The “piece de resistance” for me however was the panoramic view of the beach through the large windows that are the total frontage of the restaurant. I felt like I was on holiday!

The food. I can honestly say mouthwatering. Every bite was just so moreish that I devoured every morsel in sight, until the plates were so clean they could have mistaken for those that had been through the dish-washing procedure already. Smooth silk gravalax slices garnished with colorful peppercorns, creamy lobster with floating lasagne leaves, pea soup tasting of freshly picked greenery and a hint of spice, succulent beef with a flavored juicy quality, Moroccan style skewered lamb cubes sweetly complimented by eastern delight Tahini and fillet of white fish with crisped skin on Rafael Lunch8 a bed of fresh tangy vegetables. All washed down with a glass of dry white wine and a few sips of water ( just to cleanse the palette)