Tel Aviv restaurants

During our visit to Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 16-23, 2008, my husband, Jerry, and I ate at three wonderful restaurants that I want to share with ITN readers. Please note that reservations for these restaurants are definitely advised.

• The Old Port (Namal in Hebrew) at the northern edge of Tel Aviv has been revived after many years of disuse and now is teeming with shops and restaurants. Based on a trusted family member’s recommendation, we chose Gilly’s (Hangar 25 in Tel Aviv Old Port; phone 03 605 7777 or, from the US, 011 972 3605 7777) and it was a delight.

The tables overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. We sat and enjoyed our friends’ company for three hours. The service was pleasant and the food, mostly steak, was excellent.

The meal cost approximately $50 per person for a main course, half a dessert and an alcoholic drink. (Main courses were in the 30-dollar range and drinks were $8-$10. Note that Gilly’s is not kosher; it serves ham and shrimp.

• Doris Butcher Shop & Restaurant (63 Yigal Alon; phone 03 624 4124 or, from the US, 011 972 3624 4124 or e-mail doris-k@do.il), in a less exotic location on Yigal Alon Street, is a meat lover’s delight. The restaurant was pleasant and the service excellent.

Five of us shared the wonderful mixed appetizer for $14, which included eggplant, cauliflower, beets, hummus, roasted peppers and more. I had the lamb sausages and Jerry had a lamb burger. The bill (no drinks but with a couple of desserts) came to approximately $30 per person before tip.

• Stefan Braun (99 Allenby Road; phone 03-560-4725 or, from the US, 011-972-3560-4725), previously an old fur store, is a jewel. It is tucked away from the drab and noisy Allenby Road by means of a little walkway which opens up into a garden and the restaurant. We chose to eat inside because it was quite warm, but outdoor seating was an option.

We began with a variety of starters: hummus, babaganoush, Israeli salad and beets. I can honestly say that the starters were the best that I had ever had. Starters were in the 7-dollar range and main courses were $25-$30. My cousin and I shared delicious raviolis, while the men ate sausages and steak.

NILI OLAY

New York, NY