Israel Travel Nanny

Jerusalem Restaurants and Kosher Supervision:     

Jerusalem Sports colorful international cuisine from all corners of the world. Immigrants have brought their culinary skills with them from Morocco, Syria, Yemen, Traditional Jewish European and Northern America.  Israeli soldiers who have adopted the habit of  travelling after their service in the military, return with their own preferrences for styles, rounding out the selections with Sushi Bars, Thai and Indian restaurants they favored on their travels. But how do you eat in peace with clamoring kids?  Luckily Israeli's are used to large families so two or three kids is considered a small family and kids are happily humored.  Still, kids have a knack of fidgeting and poking each other at the wrong moments and if you have other family or friends that you would like to converse with, or just want to enjoy your meal, having a travel nanny with you makes eating out a happy event for everyone.      

Hechshers & Mashgichim:

Rabbanut Yerushalayim and Badatz Mehadrin are very common kosher supervisions, hechsherim, in Jerusalem and are usually posted on the wall by the entrance doorway with a date of validity.  An on site mashgiach (kosher supervisor) is often noted on the certificate of Kashrut and the establishment will gladly boast if they have someone who checks in on them every day.  Most places are not open on Shabbos and if they are, they lose their kosher ceritification regardless of what is served.  Expect restaurants and shops to open on Saturday night an hour after stars out/ havdallah. When writing a review for a resaurant, I always check out the kashrus or Israel kosher certification by calling the establishment or checking the hashgacha listed on their current website, usually both.

Israel Travel Nanny Restaurant Review:

Whether eating out with your children or without, choosing a good place to eat can take some forethought.  When maximizing time, it also helps to know which restaurants are close to where you will be touring that day. Cafe Rimon - Dairy   Rimon Bistro - Meat:

Located right in the center of town in Jerusalem, are side by side Meat and Dairy restaurants. Marked by it’s elegant ambiance of stone and tile walls lined with bottles of wine and desert displays,  young Israeli waitresses hoping for a tip and both inside and patio dining areas.  There is an array of dishes in varying flavors, fresh baked bread with butter and little square dishes of spreads adorn each table as you await your order.  Moderately priced menu of $15 for soup or salad and a pasta dish,  $35 for generous steaks, are well worth it.  Some of their Salads with grilled chicken or steak are a complete meal as are the fajitas or Philladelphia steak sandwiches. I thought they did a really good job both with the presentation and with adding flavors that you would not know how to duplicate at home.  The deserts are decadent and served warm : pecan pie, apple tart with a perfect crust, rich hot chocolate soufle all served with a scoop of ice cream for 35 shekel or $9.00, a bit pricey compared to the rest of the menu so we sometimes share.  When your kids have eaten their fill and start squirming out of their seats to inspect the rest of the place and the winding wood staircase, Israel Travel Nanny ensures that your dinner continues in a relaxed mode as you chat with your friends and are assured that your children are attended to.  Walk ins are fine but for the evenings a reservation is advised for shorter wait times. 

Café Rimon by Mamilla  

Located in the new fashionable Mamilla Mall on the outskirts of the Old City of Jerusalem with generous upscale meals for $15.00 to $30.00. is a great place to stop with kids on the way back from the Kotel and the tunnel tours or Tower of David  or Hezkiya's underground water tunnel tour.  There is an outdoor patio, terrace that overlooks the walls of the old city and an indoor dining area with glass walls facing the promenade.  The waiters are Israeli but speak English and there is a relaxed feeling that favors children.  They have many Quiches, Salads with cheese olives and mixed greens, Fish dishes, Soups, omlettes and other creations.  Of course cheese cake and other deserts.  I tried a verbenia lemon drink with fresh crushed mint and ice that was refreshing.  Everthing served was perfectly fresh and delicious.

Hashgacha/ Rabbinical Kosher Supervision: Rabanut Yerushalayim Badatz Mehadrin  and on-site mashgiach.

http://www.caferimon.co.il/

Reservations:  1599 50 10 30

Mamilla Mall Direct Number:   02 633 3030  

For group reservations or closed menu's, e-mail:  naama@caferimon.co.il

Cafe Rimon - Dairy   Rimon Bistro - Meat:  02 624 3746

Luntz 4, Midrachov Ben Yehuda, Jerusalem 

moran@caferimon.co.il  Manager at Rimon Bistro, Midrachov Ben Yehuda

guy@caferimon.co.il  Manager at Cafe Rimon Mamilla

More Restaurants will be reviewed this coming week.