Sefora: Kosher sushi with a view

Just about each big metropolis in the entire world has a restaurant – quite a few of them revolving – perched on the observation deck of a skyscraper, affording a bird’s-eye see of the metropolis and its surroundings.In Tel Aviv, this singular honor belongs to the kosher bistro 2c, found on the 49th flooring of the round developing in the Azrieli Mall Sophisticated, sandwiched involving the Ayalon Highway and Menachem Start Highway. 2c may possibly be stationary, but its breathtaking sights make it a well-known location for company lunches and personal events.A number of years in the past, the owner resolved to open a sushi bar carved out of a section of the cafe. He named it Sefora right after his late spouse.Seating in Sefora is at two bars, and quite a few small higher tables, accessible only by implies of bar stools. There is just one normal desk, made for family members or groups.The panoramic views are from the tables for two arrayed alongside 360 levels of ground-to-ceiling home windows. The ideal time to arrive is at dusk, to survey the Coastal Plain and sea in daylight, then delight in the sunset and look at the twinkling lights step by step illuminate the city.The sunset is maybe most effective loved although sipping one of Sefora’s seven specialty cocktails (NIS 52), the names of which are mangled in English but even now comprehensible.Our possibilities of the Tequila in the Forest and the Girl in Purple have been each fruity and tending toward sweet, although the latter culminates with a welcome complete of sour.

There is a really limited wine checklist, with only 1 possibility just about every offered by the glass for white, glowing and rosé, and none at all stated for crimson. The vintages are completely Israeli.The different Hebrew and English food items menus comprise just 3 sections: Starters (NIS 58-124), Specialty Sushi Rolls (NIS 64-89) and Maki (NIS 29-44). Between all the starters – not including the Japanese pickled veggies, which are additional of an appetizer (NIS 24) – there is only 1 vegetarian/vegan possibility (a root salad), but a number of among the sushi and maki rolls. The pickled vegetables are a worthy appetizer to perk up the flavor buds.In the whole menu, there are only two non-fish dishes – each are starters, and each are versions of asado: slow-cooked short ribs.Our initially preference of starter was the oddly named Locust Popcorn. No, not the insect, but a strange mutation of the Hebrew phrase for grouper, locus. The weird appellation notwithstanding, the mound of golden-brown morsels of fish tempura was no fewer than addictive: the bites of tender fish melted in the mouth, increased by the marginally crunchy coating and the pleasurable tingle of heat that played on the close of the tongue.The Sea Fish Carpaccio, in the meantime, was characterized by the first perception remaining by its wonderful presentation. Regretably, ultimately the pale, delicate, razor-skinny slices of crimson drumfish had been overpowered by compact dollops of many sauces and condiments and a significant hand with the sprinkling of coarse grains of salt.There are 8 tempting selections of sushi rolls, producing for a tricky determination, due to the fact we have been told that assortments were being not a little something the cafe does. Nevertheless, for the sake of this article, the sushi chef – unusually, not ethnically Asian, but an observant Jewish Israeli who acquired his trade from his Arab predecessor – agreed to get ready four different rolls for us.All of them ended up extremely superior, but it is the mother nature of issues that some would be desired around other individuals. So, in ascending purchase of what we enjoyed: the Double Tuna, with equally sliced and chopped purple tuna, orange tobiko, cucumber, avocado and wasabi product From Mother nature, our vegetarian assortment, that includes sweet potato, chives, cucumber, avocado and black sesame seeds, accompanied by a citrus ponzu sauce and the Truffle Locus (at the time again, they appear to have difficulty just translating the Hebrew into “grouper”), a reprise of our initial tempura collectively with asparagus, avocado and miso aioli, with tiny flecks of grated truffle as garnish.The pièce de résistance, however, was the eponymous Sefora Sandwich – a massive roll of salmon, avocado and shiitake mushroom tempura, accented with red miso cream. Rarely have I encountered a sushi roll that yielded these a gratifying symphony of flavors.Finally, we were brought a independent bilingual dessert menu, itemizing 5 desserts (NIS 49) that looked familiar for an ordinary restaurant, but not for just one serving Japanese cuisine. As we suspected, they were exactly the very same desserts served in 2c and like most parve desserts supplied in kosher meat eating places, these, much too, have been unremarkable. Even now, we remaining Sefora with the sensation of an night perfectly expended.

The writer was a guest of the cafe.Sefora. Kosher. Azrieli Mall, Menachem Begin Street, Tel Aviv. Tel. (03) 622-2212.