Paris in Tel Aviv

July 28, 2008 - 11:15 PM by Jessica

It’s been a Tel Aviv kind of week, and it’s only Monday. Not that I don’t love my own city, but Tel Aviv, well, it’s urban, it smells different, it’s gritty, it’s city. And the lovely cafe where I ate tonight’s dinner deserves a blog mention for its simple elegance, well-prepared food and the piece de resistance, the pastries.

Mazzarine is a patisserie and chocolaterie on Gordon Street, off of Ben Yehuda in Tel Aviv, in what could be called Tzfon Tel Aviv, or north Tel Aviv. It’s an area that’s been coming into its own, and Mazzarine is just one of many cafes and restaurants that have been popping up in the ‘hood. What sets Mazzarine apart from its coffeehouse counterparts (and its kosher certification) is the Parisian feel to the place, with attention to detail that extends from the fabulous floor tiles and curlicued patio chairs to the delightful bakery boxes, in which one can place blue cassis or green pistachio maccaroons (bearing no resemblance to the crunchy mounds of Passover), buttery croissants or fresh loaves of bread. Who wouldn’t want to receive such a treat?

The coffee is also good, as are the salads, which couldn’t be more different than the usual Israeli-style mounds of vegetables and cheese. Mazzarine has a black lentil salad with radishes and tiny cubes of feta, or lightly dressed quinoa with finely chopped vegetables and toasted walnuts. And if you make it over there, be sure to try to leek pancakes. Truly divine.

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