Israel for Beginners

 Dvora - Eyal Shani's new restauarant - in the Deborah Brown Hotel is well worth a visit. There are some of the dishes that you will recognize from Malka, and some new ones. The presentation is beautiful and the food is packed with interesting and delicious flavors. Dessert, like most meat places in Israel, ,needs work. Definitely ask for seats at the bar where you can watch the chefs at work (we even did chasers with them!).  A great vibe and a fun experience. Dvorah - Deborah Brown Hotel - 87 Ben Yehuda Tel Aviv - 077-7242019

Tel Aviv's Cooking Studio is a kosher cooking studio that offers both public and private workshops.  My husband I joined a very enjoyable public Italian cooking workshop (we still use some of the chef's tips).  But one of the most memorable experiences I ever had was a  private "knife fight" workshop we did with family friends. Everyone of all ages had a great time. What sets the Cooking Studio apart are the chefs who not only know their stuff but know how to engage the participants.  Not a cheap experience but one that is well worth it! Cooking Studio - 19 Ben Avigdor, Tel Aviv - 03-303-8115

The noise and ambience and food of Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani's new kosher restaurant in Tel Avivmay not be for everyone. But, the combination of tastes and the perfection of cooking times for each dish blew me away. Skip the vegetables (except the beet carpaccio). The foccacia will fill you up but it is a must at least once. And absolutely have the signature schnitzel dish filled with potatoes.  I still dream about the combination of flavors in the meat and fish dishes. This is Jewish soul food with endless soul! Malka Restaurant -  Asia House, 2 Dafna Street, Tel Aviv -03-609-1331 - RESERVATIONS A MUST!

Eating an excellent meal on an enclosed terrace watching the sunset over the Herzliyia beach is as close to perfection as one can get. Al Hamayim has been around for many years but recently became kosher. The food - sushi and creative twists on fish and dairy dishes - is beyond delicious. The natural ambience of the beach makes this a showstopper. I have yet to meet a disappointed customer. The only downside is the pricey bill at the end of the meal! Al Hamayim - Herzliyia beach - 09-950-1767

Tel Aviv recently opened the Independence Trail - its own version of the Bostom Freedom Trail. Follow the gold line to ten stops which were critical locations regarding the creation of the modern State of Israel. We took a Hebrew tour (sign up for the free English or Hebrew tours online). You can also walk the trail on your own. In the coming months there will be an option to walk the trail with information provided on an app. It's a nice way to learn history! Israel Independence Trail - independencetrail.co.il - vist the information desk right across from 11 Rothschild.

Recently, we had an amazing evening at the Whiskey Bar and Museum in the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv. Being surrounded by 1,000 whiskey bottles with the chance to try whiskeys from all over the world must be heaven for whiskey lovers. But the very hip atmosphere of the underground wine cellar and the excellent food from appetizers to desserts will win everyone else over as well (and the whiskey cocktails and whiskey dessert are a must, even if you are not a whiskey lover!). Whiskey Bar - Sarona Compound, Tel Aviv - 03-955-1105 Reservations highly recommended