lucire volante: back to israel-ity (2) – the global fashion magazine · 2011. 9. 15. · lucire...

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The global fashion magazine September 15, 2011

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Cæsarea As aUNESCO WorldHeritage site, visitorscan appreciate theruins with nearbycafés and a TimeTower.

Back to Israel-itycontinued

Speaking of Bible study, who would have thoughtthat the sustenance of mankind’s forefathers couldalso be so progressive? Moshe Basson brings hisedible history lesson to his internationally acclaimedrestaurant Eucalyptus, located at the edge of OldJerusalem. While it has a standard menu, to get toBasson’s heart and soul, order the King David’s Feast.At US$50, or ₪167, it’s a fantastic value for such anexpansive, elegant meal heightened by his storytellingand discussion of Chefs for Peace, comprised of localchefs from all backgrounds and religions. For lunchon the fly, on the inside of the Jaffa gate of the oldcity, don’t pass up the opportunity to custom-buildyour own chicken shawarma or falafel sandwich at StRaphael Restaurant—‘the Emperor of Shawarma’.

While Givat Ram, Jerusalem’s government seat,also flows with young professionals and a surprisinglyeclectic assortment of boutiques, Adom is a must-dowith its lovely after-dark scene and original cocktailrecipes taking full advantage of fresh local fruit. Zuni(15 Yoel Salomon Street) attracts similar customerswho like their cocktails creative. In contrast, there’snothing fancy at Glen (Shlomtzion Ha Malka Street18)—just classic rock and extensive listing of qualitycraft beers, whiskies and waitresses who know a thingor two about the proper way to prepare and drinkabsinthe.

Given my short stay in Tel Aviv, my pre-tripresearch leads to my finding a kindred spirit withAmerican-born Andrea Mann of top travel andevent-planning service TLV VIP and the company’s

Urban Tel Aviv

Lulu Basel Square

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posh English-speaking web sites (www.tlv-vip.comand www.tastetlv.com). Like me, her passion for travelstems from being a self-proclaimed foodie withfashionista proclivities. Though blending in withlocals is always a concern, going with the flow isremarkably simple.

‘If you’re interested in talking to locals, alwayschoose to sit at the bar—-not a secluded table,’advises Mann. ‘Israelis are genuine, so whether you’redining at a nice restaurant or just grabbing an eveningdrink, bartenders and other restaurant patrons willalmost always spark up a conversation and startoffering you travel tips when they hear you speakingin English. Seriously, don’t be surprised or takenaback if they offer to show you around for the day orinvite you to their family’s Friday night dinner. Theyhave a lot of pride in their country and culture, soIsraelis jump at the opportunity to show off thecountry’s magic.’

Though Mann resides in Tel Aviv, proximate tothe oft-recommended shopping haunts and cafésociety of Dizengoff Street, she likes to kick back inBasel Square, in the Old North section of town. Hergo-to food spots include Lulu at 5 Elkali Street, LaBonne Patisserie at Basel 40 for a morning croissantor afternoon quiche, Ashtori Café for coffee andgreat people watching and a cute cheese shop calledGourmet Shop, owned by Michael Rafaël, aFrenchman who is not shy about dispensing samplesand entertaining advice. Seeing there is a need for asmall break from hummus and shawarma, Mannchooses Ze Sushi for our lunch spot, especially asseveral of the items, such as the triangular“sandwich”-style sushi, is done with a local edge andpairs either with sake or Israeli chardonnay.

A few blocks north of Basel Square and a fewblocks southeast of the Tel Aviv port, the ambitiousvisitor will find Yirmiyahu Street, easily identifiableby locals waiting for a table at the sought-afterJeremiah Café, according to Mann. The overflow willtypically walk across the street and find a table atMovieing Café, which offers a DVD library upstairs.‘If you walk east down Yirmiyahu, you will have aselection of local hummus joints, Hungarian blintzes,Ruben’s Deli (amazing deli sandwiches),’ adds Mann.‘This area is a street food lovers’ paradise.’

As a natural treasure hunter, I found the twice-weekly Arts and Crafts Bazaar of Nahlat BinyaminPedestrian Mall (staged every Tuesday and Friday) tobe a delightful buffet of temping silver jewellery,ceramic and home accessories. Aside from seriouslycool decorator pieces for the home, I found one-of-a-kind pieces by designers like Simona Azriel to betempting. Though her work is available at differentboutiques, the advantage of seeing Azriel in thissetting is that she can customize one of her millefioripieces on the spot, and with disarming honesty, steeryou toward the piece that best suits your coloring andpersonality.

‘Many visitors don’t realize Neve Tzedek [Oasis ofJustice] is actually Tel Aviv’s first neighbourhood,’notes San Francisco-based Ruti Zisser, who operatesIsraeli fashion-focused Ruti Boutiques and alwayskeeps a pulse on what is happening in Israeli fashionand lifestyle trends. ‘In last years it has beenrediscovered by artists and designers and became abeautiful place to walk in and see the old sweet pastelhouses where many fashion, art and unique conceptstores are spread around.’

Yael Adar of the Gems in Israel website believesHaTachana, a restored 1890s railway station on theedge of old Jaffa, fits the bill. Besides the

Old Jerusalem shopping

Michal Negrin

Basel Square boutique

Mamilla Hotel and Mall at dusk

more lucire volante headlinesA romantic break insnow-capped Hanmer Springs:just magic11.09.01Courtesy Vanessa Nelmes/Hurunui Tourism Shutyour eyes. Imagine lazing in a steamy hot tub withsomeone special. The sun is setting over thepicture-postcard snow-capped mountains. Not asound can be heard save the occasional bellbirdcall...

Auckland Home Show servesup everything from cooking tosustainability11.08.31The Auckland Home Show, which began August 31and runs to September 4 at the ASB Showgroundsin Auckland, comprises over 500 exhibitorsfeaturing renovation ideas and solutions, homedecoration and design, green urban living andsustainabil..

Unscripted shows creativeminds behind Wellington's filmindustry11.08.28Top Locket by Sophie Lewis-Smith. AboveJewellery by Steph Lusted. Below left Textiledesigns at Unscripted. Bottom Locket by SophieLewis-Smith. Starting on Saturday, September 3and running until the following Friday, theUnscripted exhib..

Brit Mary Wing To takes homeWorld of Wearable ArtSupreme Award—our fullreport11.08.26Top Hylonome by Mary Wing To (United Kingdom),the Supreme Winner at the Brancott Estate World ofWearable Art 2011 show. Above Runner-up, Hide inMy Bone Shadow, by Marjolein van der Wal(Netherlands). Walking into the TSB Arena inWelling..

Yohji Yamamoto amongdesigners in this year'sWestfield Style Pasifika11.08.18The International Designer Collection at this year’sWestfield Style Pasifika: Best of Pasifika will includeone-off garments from top international fashiondesigners such as Yohji Yamamoto from Japan andJohn Rocha from I..


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conglomeration of boutiques and cafés, it also has amost helpful tourist information centre offering amix of interesting maps and brochures. Seductiveretail opportunities include Razili, showcasing theinnovations made by different young Israeli fashiondesigners. The station is also home to Lalo Treasures,stocking wonderful, affordable one-of-a-kind homeand fashion accessories, as well as an Ahava conceptstore (known for its Dead Sea-sourced beautyproducts), Ronan Chen, Charlie Paloma and MichalNegrin.

Though a few short years ago, Dizengoff Streetwas almost written off as a pedestrian mall full ofbridal shops, Israeli designers and their fans havebrought the commercial thoroughfare back from thebrink in a flurry of colour, girly frocks andarchitectural silhouettes. Labels represented along theway include swimwear designers Gideon Obersonand Lea Gottleib of Gottex fame, Ruby Star, RhusOvata, Agnes & Tamar, Alef Alef, Gusta, Anna K.,Anya Flee and a slew of shoe designers that provefootwear innovation is several steps beyond familiarbrands Teva and Naot (Inbal Raviv, Michal Miller,Shani Bar and Lady Gaga’s favourite, Kobi Levi).

Israel’s eclectic and colourful fashion philosophytranslates to several of Tel Aviv’s better restaurants.Chef Daniel Zach’s romantic, cottage-y Carmella areal find, with such delicious selections trout withwine butter sauce on black wild rice and mustard,cured sirloin on arugula and goose liver paté, meantto be paired with some of Israeli’s best boutiquewines. Though Herbert Samuel was an early 20thcentury British government official and leadingZionist, there is nothing old or stodgy about therestaurant bearing his name. Yonatan Roshfeld, itschef, charges forward into a new era of Israeli cuisine,from its futuristic attic kitchen to unexpected EastAsian and European influences to hotshot mixology.The overall effect is flawless and the waitstaff issuperhumanly calm and attentive.

Nana, created by boutique hotelier Golad Dor,offers a taste of upscale neighbourhood NevehZedek’s “good life”, along with hand-picked boutiqueIsraeli wines and straight-forward cocktails.Nanuchka (28 Lilenblum Street) is a free-wheelingparty central alive with energy, karaoke,percussionists, oldies DJs and some highly unusualbut nicely balanced cocktails, where Middle Easternspirits tango with those of Russia and Mexico(!). RosaParks (Dizengof 265), thanks to its 25-plus clientèle,is also a favourite spot among cocktail fans in theknow.

Beyond the sometimes-intimidating spectre ofreligion and politics, you will find yourself falling inlove with Israel once you get to know it well, and onyour own terms. Or more aptly put, don’t let anyfears, concerns or media spin stop you from enjoyingwhat she has to offer. It certainly has not stopped theIsraelis from making the best of things. • For more information on Israel, visitwww.goisrael.com, and for information on flights intoIsrael, visit www.elal.co.il.

Elyse Glickman is US West Coast Editor for Lucire.

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lucire volante: back to israel-ity (2) – the global fashion magazine · 2011. 9. 15. · lucire...

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