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After hearing about the humus joints of Abu Ghosh for so many years, I decided the time had come to try one. I had been to a concert in the Abu Ghosh church many years ago. We brought along my daughter, who was a baby then, and sat with her on a hard wooden bench as the choir launched into a lively rendition of Missa Creola, hoping against hope she would not burst out screaming. Luckily, she didn’t, but stopping at a restaurant afterwards would have been going too far.
So one recent Friday, when the weather was nice, we drove to this Israeli Arab village, about 10 minutes from Jerusalem, and walked around a bit, trying to figure out which of these humus restaurants was our best bet, considering that most of them offer the same fare. Hmm….Should we try Abu Shukry, or the Authentic Abu Shukry, or Abu Shukry – The Real Thing, or…you get the picture). For no particular reason, we chose the Caravan Inn. It had a glass-enclosed porch and a few straggly geraniums out front.
As we walked in, we were hit by a cloud of cigarette smoke. The place was quite busy, and many people were smoking in full view of the no-smoking sign. If it were up to me, I would have walked out, but my husband wanted his humus already…
A table at the window was covered with a white cloth for us, and we ordered a plate of humus, a plate of humus with pumpkin, and 2 soft drinks. The humus was creamy and freshly made, garnished with a few whole chick peas. The humus with pumpkin was sort of grayish and salty with some bits of sour pickle in it. If there was pumpkin, you couldn’t see it. It only added a kind of stringy texture. The pita brought to the table in a basket was on the stale side. The olives were bright green and not fully cured. The slices of pickled radish were limp.
A plate of 4 teeny bits of “baklawah,” each about the size of a fingernail, was the best part of the meal, and supposedly “free.” The bill came to NIS 44. With each plate of humus costing NIS 13, I am not sure how they arrived at this sum. My husband paid at the register and did not receive an itemized bill.
The elderly man who greeted us at the door looked a lot like Hajj Abu Musa, whose picture is on the menu. Maybe it was his son. Abu Musa built the restaurant in 1950, and was honored with lighting a torch on Independence Day in 1994 for helping to foster good relations between Jews and Arabs.
The Caravan Inn’s “calling card” is on the glass-enclosed side porch: some ceramic decorations embedded in the wall by Boris Schatz, son of the founder of the Bezalel Art School. Leave a Comment Theme: Middle EasternPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Derekh Hashalom 27, Abu GhoshPhone: 02-5333573; 5342744Directions: From Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway turn off at Ein Hemed and follow sign to Abu Ghosh. Hours: Every day, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
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After a visit to the Sataf, which can be a little on the strenuous side if you are not used to hiking up and down mountainsides – although rest assured, this is not the Alps – grab a seat at one of the tables at the outdoor café and order a little something to get your wind back.
Café Sataf, on a wooden deck with a beautiful view of the Judean Hills, serves a variety of dairy dishes and salads. We ordered a baked casserole of sliced potatoes covered with cheese, tomatoes and basil, which came with a small vegetable salad (38 shekels). We enjoyed that, but at my daughter’s urging we all had milkshakes. They weren’t cheap, at 22 shekels apiece, but they were BIG milkshakes, thick and creamy and cold, reviving our spirits considerably on that hot summer’s day. Leave a Comment Theme: CoffeehousePrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Sataf Nature Reserve, next to the parking lotPhone: Tel: 02-6418830; 050-5291052
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I found this place on my way to the Western Wall. Its right as you enter the inside security complex to the wall( under the tunnel). It is at the end of the souq as you approach security area for western wall
Humus was excellent, chicken, salad......everything was great. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageDirections: As you approach the Wall...the security area near the wall
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This restaurant was recommended by JadedMuse ( VT). It was an excellent suggestion, i loved this restaurant. I ordered the pasta which was differnent than i have seen before. It was a red sauce, lots of mozarella cheese and thick noodles, served in a big wooden bowel. It was fabulous. The restaurant is very nice, you go down some stairs when you enter. The bar is right there, then the restaurant on the left. Its a cozy place to have an excelllent meal.
The pasta dish with lots of cheese! Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 79 Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate Rd, JerusalemDirections: After entering Jaffa Gate, turn right at the Tower of David (Citadel). Continue straight; restaurant is on the right, down a flight of stairs.Its in the Armenian quarter.
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I love falafel. And there is no other place than Middle East to have delicious falafel.
I can't remember the name of resturant, but the best falafel I had in Jerusalem is located in Jewish Quarter. The restaurant is small and also sells food store front for people who want to take-out. If you like, they serve falafel with hummus on it! It is located on the way from Jaffa gate to Wailing Wall, very close to the steps going down to the Wall. Leave a Comment Theme: Middle EasternPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensive
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Another restaurant I can't remember the name of. But they serve the best pizza around (unless you go to the New City).
They have unique kind of pizzas we don't find, say in the U.S. I had herb pizza : ) Leave a Comment Theme: PizzaPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageDirections: Enter through Jaffa Gate and take the first street on the left. The place is located a few doors down.
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Christian Quarter
I stopped in for lunch and had a homemade local pizza. The restaurant had just opened for the day and i was the first customer. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Christian quarter
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Val’s Brasserie is open from lunch through late dinner all year round. Situated beside the pool and the Cellar Bar, guests will enjoy favorite local dishes, continental specialties and quick snacks in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
Afternoon tea, a British classic, is served here daily from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with tea, variety of sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam and fresh strawberries or English cake. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: American Colony Hotel-East Jerusalem
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Jerusalem has a fine selection of restaurants of all types and prices. Jewish clients should check for kashrut licence if needed.
Meorav Yerushalmi- assorted grill meat served with chips and vegetables Leave a Comment Theme: Kosher/HalalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Most meat restaurants will serve itDirections: Downtown, Nahlat Shiva, Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall are places to check out
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When your in the Old town Jerusalem in the Arab market place, you'll find small street vendor who will whip you up a fast and delicious Israeli Falafel, which is a new famous Israeli dish that is new to the country and is new to the Israel palate as of 1948. It's made with peta bread, interesting veggie, turkey ball and a zesty white creamy sauce. MMMMMMM!! As My dad would alway say Delicious. I think the young generation brought it to Israel.
FALAFEL!!!!!! Because the hamburgers didn't taste like American Burgers, as well as the fish diet (I don't eat fish), but it was the Falafel that I remember most. And even now in the States I crave it still. But I have an english friend that knows how to prepare it, not saying that I have it all the time, since 1995 to 2003, I only had it once in the States in Page Arizona. Leave a Comment Theme: Street VendorPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: You can find this in any open vendor in the city.Directions: Inside and outside of the Old Jerusalem Walls. I order my falafel in the Arab Market place.
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on March 19, 2006
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