January 2004
Menorah is situated in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, right across from the golden menorah on Rehov Hayehudim. First it was a wine shop in the heart of the Rova. Now it's still a wine shop, but it's also a lovely dairy restaurant. There's an indoor area with a few tables, and an outdoor area (closed off in the winter) for smokers and diners who like to eat café-style.
The restaurant's fare includes: toasted bagels, sandwiches, salads, spaghetti with a variety of sauces, stuffed sweet potatoes, plain and exotic coffees and mouth watering desserts, all at moderate prices. New items are being added to the menu on a regular basis.
My husband and I had dinner at Menorah, and were delighted with both the ambiance and the wonderful cuisine.
Menorah's décor is simple, with bottled wines and spirits adorning the walls, and pleasant music wafting in the background. The service was excellent. The waiters all spoke fluent English and Hebrew.
We started with soup, which arrived piping hot and in enormous tureens. The soup itself could have been a full meal. My husband's sweet potato soup was thick and delicious. My tomato soup was rich and flavorful. The soups were served with a bowl of old fashioned, crispy, homemade toasted bread croutons.
I ordered a tuna sandwich on brown bread. The delicious sandwich was overstuffed with tuna, tomato, sour pickles and ripe olives, and came tastefully served with an artful arrangement of sliced cucumber and tomato on a bed of lettuce with homemade herb dressing.
My husband ordered spaghetti with salsa rosa (tomato mushroom sauce). He asked for tuna to be added, and the chef was pleased to comply. The portion was very generous.
Although we ordered soft drinks, Menorah also serves wines and spirits. Since it is, after all, a wine shop, the selection is very broad.
Menorah's designer coffee bar and gourmet desserts are not to be missed. The coffee bar boasts all of the usual offerings, like café latte and espresso items, but Menorah has specialty coffees that I haven't seen elsewhere. I chose the white hot chocolate with coconut. It was divine. For dessert, my husband and I shared a slice of creamy and delectable cheesecake.
Every morning from 7:30 to 11:00 am, Menorah serves breakfast for a flat rate of NIS 39. The breakfast includes: coffee, natural fruit juice, an omelet, cream cheese, Bulgarian cheese, fresh vegetables and ciabatta bread.
Just for coffee and dessert, or for a full and splendid meal, Menorah is well worth the visit. |
