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Kosher for Pesach in Tel Aviv


When we booked our long-term stay in Tel Aviv, the fact that we were going to be here during Passover, did fill me with some level of excitement.  Back in New York, we rarely venture out during the holiday.  We observe the holiday, clean out the house of my beloved chametz (leavened products), and only eat meals at home that I have prepared.  During each Passover, we probably go out once to one of the handful of restaurants in NYC that offer overpriced and mediocre kosher for Pesach options.

So, my husband and I were eager to see which restaurants in our Tel Aviv neighborhood were going to be kosher for Pesach, and how their menu would be altered to accommodate the holiday.

As we strolled down Ben Yehuda and Bograshov streets, we were shocked to see all the choices available to us.  This was also going to be our first year of eating rice and other "kitniot" (legumes) on Passover, something that is forbidden for traditional Askenazim (European) Jews, but permitted in the Sephardic Jewish tradition (Jews from the Mediterranean and Arab countries). In Israel, which is roughly split fairly evenly between Ashkenazim and Sephardim, most people follow the Sephardic tradition except for a portion of Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jews. In addition, several years ago the Conservative Jewish movement in the US ruled in favor of eating Kitniot.  So, while in Rome......

Here are some wonderful lunches and dinners that we have thoroughly enjoyed:

Burger Bar 39
Ben Yehuda street 43


The sandwiches in most restaurants were made with this bread which was actually really good.  I had this delicious grilled chicken and onions sandwich a few times.



Penne Pasta
Bograshov Street 21


The bread is a touch gummy and it needs to be eaten while still warm.  I need to find a recipe for this type of a bread since we have nothing like this in NY.



This pasta looked so great, I had to take a photo of the certificate stating that the restaurant serves kosher for Passover food.  It was quite good, not spectacular, but I'm not being picky.



Kanki Sushi
Bograshov 23


We passed this kosher sushi place many times and marveled at how packed it was each evening.  We finally gave them a try during Passover and were very pleased with the taste and quality of the food.




Mapu
Mapu Street 9


This was our one "fancy" meal during the holiday.

Sweet potato with mushrooms.



Prime rib with potatoes and grilled veggies.


Beef fillet with squash.


Carp with grilled vegetables.


There are plenty of other places that we did not get to try, maybe next year.

Joanna


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