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Taking Pleasure Seriously

ISRAEL : Crazy Delicious Brunch at Benedict

When I think about breakfast at Benedict, a sweet wave of nostalgia sweeps over, reminding me of a different time, a few years back.

When I still lived at home, we had a “Mother-Daughter Quality Time” ritual – brunch every Friday. Every week we looked for a place that would be more perfect and pampering than the last one – a place that offers the perfect breakfast.

It's a bit funny, but after checking out all of the breakfast locations in Jerusalem, the real treat was driving to Tel Aviv for a outstanding breakfast at Benedict.

Yep, even if the reason for the relatively long trip was only breakfast – we went back again and again.

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There’s no doubt that the waiting line for breakfast at Benedict on Fridays is long and often discouraging, but as soon as we sat down in the restaurant and got the overflowing basket of fresh breads straight from the oven along with butter, jam and Nutella – we always felt that we got exactly to the right place.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

Since then, water flowed down the river and you could say that the constant need I have for diversity and my desire to discover new places, kept me away from this undeniable empire of breakfasts.

Anyway, Daniel and I got to Tel Aviv earlier this week in order to officially establish our relationship – to get married {Woohoo!!!!}, or rather issue a certificate of relationship {which is different than the traditional – religious  marriage in Israel}, and we felt like treating ourselves to an amazing brunch to celebrate this special day!

Benedict recently launched a new menu and there’s no doubt that this is a good enough reason to look for the nearest branch and see what has changed since the last time I ate there.

We got to the chain’s first and most intimate branch, located on Ben Yehuda Street on the corner of Jabotinsky, in Tel Aviv.

The atmosphere there is so pleasant and inviting, even in terms of design and in terms of the charming staff that made sure to tell us all about the new specials and about the expanded alcohol menu.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

From the first second after they placed the menus on our table, before I even checked the dishes on the menu, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the beautiful cocktail menu they had, and the pineapple mimosa cocktail that caught my eye {29 NIS, or instead of the drink offered as part of the breakfast, plus an additional 9 NIS}.
I love the classic mimosa, which is made from a combination of champagne and orange juice, but when I’m surprised with new and interesting Mimosa flavors, and especially pineapple, you can say they caught me from that second.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

Once we ordered the alcohol, we started checking the options on the breakfast menu thoroughly. After all, when you’re in a restaurant that revolves around the concept of breakfasts from places all around the world, it’s tough to decide where you want your palate to take you this time…

A classic Israeli breakfast?

Or maybe something American?

Mexican?

Or English?

There’s no doubt that they offer a wide variety and it’s a bit difficult to decide, but after a short consultation with the waitress, we made our decision – Daniel ordered a Philly Cheesesteak from the ‘Breakfast in Bread’ menu and I ordered a Green Shakshuka from the specials they offered.

But before we talk about the main course, let me tell you a bit about the starters we ordered.

Starters are one of my favorite things to eat in restaurants, sometimes even more than the main course, because they let you taste a little bit of everything. Benedict probably agree with me because they offer a wide range of starters at very attractive prices {12-27 NIS}, that you can rarely find in restaurants in Tel Aviv, or in Israel.

A new dish on the “Small Plates” menu is the Tower of Babel – slices of fried eggplant and grilled tomatoes on potato fritters with a boiled egg and tahini and amba sauce {19 NIS}.

In one word – wow!!

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

I love Sabich, a lot, but I must admit I didn’t really expect a dish based on Sabich {just without the pita} might be able to match and even surpass the original. This dish has a very successful combination of textures – layers of roasted tomatoes, a little soft, over crispy fritters and eggplant fried just right {and not soaked in oil} and on top of it all, a hard-boiled egg sliced with tahini sauce and a gentle touch of amba – the kind that is felt mostly in the aroma of the dish without taking over the taste.

By the way, I couldn’t stop wiping the sauce of the plate with the bread after I finished eating the dish.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

The second dish we ordered was Grilled Portobello Mushrooms – marinated in olive oil, garlic and thyme, served with goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette {24 NIS}.

We got four very fleshy mushrooms, seasoned just right fits very well into the goat cheese and balsamic flavors. Yes, I know, the concept of stuffed mushrooms with cheese is pretty banal, but there's a reason this is one of the chain’s most successful dishes.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

And how could you ignore the true star of the restaurant – the amazing bread basket they served at the beginning of the meal that we kept eating with bizarre combinations of Nutella-goat cheese-jam-Sabih and so on throughout the meal.

Yeah, when I get to Benedict the carb piggy inside of me gets released, and it can be a little scary 😉

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

And now – Back to the breakfasts we ordered…

The Philly Cheesesteak – a huge sandwich served on a fresh ciabatta, with juicy rump chunks sautéed with onions, mushrooms, gouda cheese, aioli chipotle and two fried eggs, with grilled cherry tomatoes, pepper ketchup, French fries and beer {72 NIS}.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

Before I start praising this perfect sandwich, I must say that you need to have a referral for a catheterization or at least an annual subscription to the gym. To sum it up, if you are on a diet or trying to maintain your weight, don’t even think about this.

But since we chose this restaurant because we wanted a real treat, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted – it arrived hot straight from the kitchen, a soft ciabatta that embraced all the good things that this dish has to offer.

The rump was cut just right – into tiny chunks released slowly with each bite without the sandwich falling apart after just one bite, the melted gouda cheese and sunny-side-up eggs covered all of the ingredients like a cozy blanket. Even the French fries served with the sandwich were hot and crispy – it was simply a yummy dish!!!

As you may have noticed, this dish is not exactly breakfast material as we Israelis know and love, and can be eaten as a late brunch or later. So if you wish for a quality sandwich, that’s meaty and filling – Benedict is just the place for you; and the price? Honestly, considering the size of the portion and all of the additions to it, is very reasonable.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

This dish is huge, easily suitable for two people alongside starters {I don’t know how Daniel was able to eat almost the entire dish, especially after the starters}.

The Green Shakshuka – two eggs prepared exactly as I asked them to be on top of spinach, broccoli, zucchini and peas in cream with Bulgarian cheese, served with a basket of breads, green salad and a drink {69 NIS}, was also good and came steaming and well-seasoned.

The small salad was quite disappointing – a lump of lettuce with dressing.

oh, well – it seems like health isn’t their strong side here…

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

As you can see in the pictures, we ate… A LOT.

But how can you eat at Benedict and not have their perfect pancakes, thick but so airy that come stacked in the familiar and beloved way?!

It’s impossible. {Don’t look at us that way…}.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

So we ordered the Banana Pancakes – the same batter everyone loves so much plus bananas, wrapped in sweetened condensed milk and toasted coconut along with a fresh and delicious fruit salad {41 NIS}. I don’t think I can even describe the feeling that went through my body with every bite I took from this addictive dish, a kind of divine euphoria.

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

The fruit salad was just perfect and balanced the sweetness of the dish and added some freshness to this rather heavy order…

Brunch at Benedict, Tel Aviv, Israel || ביקורת מסעדות - ארוחת בראנץ׳ מושחתת במסעדת בנדיקט בתל אביב

Oy-vey – that was a lot of food.

You could say that this meal was the only one we ate all day {besides a small salad we ate in the evening at home because the guilt began to surface}.

After this pampering meal, there’s no doubt that the cooling-off period I took from Benedict officially ended, and I'm not just talking about breakfast or brunch – you could celebrate at Benedict during the afternoon, in the evening or even at night, because as they say at Benedict – ‘breakfast is a style of meal and not the hours we consume it. Not ‘WHEN you eat’, but ‘WHAT you eat’.

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2 Responses

  1. Wow!
    You have such an amazing post here. I am planning my first trip to Israel and accidentally find your post via Pinterest. I will definitely give this place a try.
    Please keep up with your blog. It is lovely.
    Thank you.

    Ha from Vietnam.

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