Shiksa in Israel

Bayit BaGalil – better than Mitzpe Hayamim?

In the middle of the Biyra Forest, east of Safed is a 26-suite hotel known as Bayit BaGalil (House in the Galilee).

If I was the sort of person who questioned their decisions, I might wonder how Bayit BaGalil compares to Mitzpe Hayamim and I might drive CSJ crazy by convincing myself that just because he thinks he found the best room of his life doesn’t mean that the true best isn’t right up the road.

You see, I love small hotels. Not B&B’s but small, full-service hotels.

Bayit BaGalil
T: 04-680-8200
www.bayit-bagalil.co.il

Teva Naot Factory / Outlet, and other regrets

CSJ is upset we did not go to Caesarea and I am upset we did not go to the Teva factory. It’s impossible to see and do everything, no matter how hard I try. Of course CSJ saw Caesarea 20 years ago while I have never seen the Teva factory. I’ve never seen any shoe factory. CSJ did not even believe me that there was a factory; he kept saying, “it’s just store.” He was wrong.

Mostly I am interested in Tevas because they bought the Alps people after the Alps factory burnt down (is that the story?). And I still have my old Alps (I tread lightly), and they’re great for Israel, and I’d like to show them to the Teva people and see if they can make me a new/similar pair.

The Teva Naot Outlet is on Kibbutz Naot Mordechai (CSJ’s Hebrew name, by the way). It’s open Sun-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri and holiday eves 8am-1pm, Sat and holidays 9:30a-5p.

You get there by driving Road 90 north to road 977 (between Rosh Pina and Kiryat Shmona). From that direction the kibbutz will be on the right hand side of 977.

What else should we know? Who bought some sandals there?

Teva Naot Outlet
Kibbutz Naot Mordechai
T: 972-4-694-8133
www.tevanaot.co.il

Ein Kamonim

I had read about Ein Kamonim in my wonderful cookbook but had no idea how to find it – the cookbook’s biggest flaw: no list of things mentioned and their corresponding addresses, phone numbers and/or websites, a major disservice. Thankfully you have the Shiksa as your guide.

Ein Kamonim (off Hwy 85) is run by the Ovrutski family. They make cheese and olive oil and have a restaurant (how does all-you-can-eat cheese, salad, and bread sound?). They also run workshops and will conduct group tours by appointment. Call: 04-698-9894

Ein Kamonim transliterates themselves as Ein Camonim (that's their web site). So why am I stuck on the "K"? I guess it's because that's how I first read the name.

Most popular cheese: Tal HaGalil. it's a hard cheese matured in bay leaves. Ask the cleaning people at the David Intercontinental how they like it (we left some in our mini fridge).

Carta directs us to Ein Kamonim

As much as I can complain about Carta Atlas City Maps – way too cute to be useful – I must give Carta credit for bringing us to Ein Kamonim, the goat and olive farm, shop, and restaurant off Road 85 (the north side) between Roads 806 and 65.

Ein Kamonim is getting its own post. This post is meant to praise Carta for that type of notation. Carta is great on relatively empty roads, when precision is unnecessary.

Best Arab Restaurant in Israel?

I don’t know if El Baboor is the best restaurant in Israel but it’s certainly among the most popular restaurants in Israel. I can say that I have never, ever had better Baba Ganosh than was served to us at El Baboor. I don’t know where or how they grew the eggplants, but wow(!). Fabulous.

Here’s a list of the salads/meze/spreads we got:
-Eggplant (baba ganoosh)
-Eggplant in Tahini
-Cauliflower in Tahini
-Tomatoes (raw) in Tahini
-Eggplant and Tomato
-Avocado
-Potato
-Hummus
-Spicy Tomato Salsa (Turkish)
-Tabbouleh
-Levana (white, spreadable cheese)
-Bitter Greens with Red Peppers
-Israeli (cucumbers, tomatoes)

That’s a total of 3 salads and 10 spreads and vegetables, plus olives and pickles.
All that before the main course. Yikes.

Room 801 at Hotel Mitzpe Hayamim

Between and above the Hula Valley and Golan Heights (north) and the Sea of Galilee (south) is hilltop Hotel Mitzpe Hayamim where we stayed in the nicest room of CSJ’s life (past and future, he says). It must be the nicest room in Israel, at least.

Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes I know the right thing to say. Translation: an insane upgrade at the idyllic Mitzpe Hayamim.

Side note: originally I did not want to stay at Mitzpe Hayamim because it’s relatively well-known and I’m focused on discovering new things. In this case I was reminded that many well-known things have their reputation for good reason. The trick, of course, is to catch them before they jump-the-shark (that’s a Happy Days reference; many people believe the show was ‘over’ after the episode when the Fonz – on waterskies – jumped a shark. I mention it because people have asked).

Anyhoo, I will write more about this hotel but first much show you the view of/from Room 801. There are two rooms on the ‘8th’ floor, accessible by spiral staircase from the ‘7th’ floor. (the floors, in order, are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8).

Needless to say CSJ and I are trying to figure out how to move into a place like this one, which does not mean we're trying to move to Israel, by the way.

Mitzpe Hayamim
Rosh Pina
T: 04-699-4555
F: 04-699-9555
E: info@mitzpe-hayamin.com
www.relaischateau.com/mitzpe

Nadav Kinochim: the best chocolate in Israel and beyond

When I tell you that some of the most delicate and rich chocolate and pastry I have ever had in my life came from the middle of Israel, I suspect you will not believe me. Even if you know I'm no étrangère to chocolate.

let me put it to you the way it was explained to me. remember I told you about making aliyah? well, CSJ's cousin told us that eating dessert at Nadav Kinochim was like making aliyah, that Israelis from all over the country travel to the tiny town (village?) of Ramat Yishai to experience their lovely pastries, breads, cakes, and chocolates.
After sampling some sweets from this incredible place, I completely understood the euphoria associated with making aliyah.

I'm going to ask CSJ's cousin to help me here. She knows the 'story' of the place and will do it more justice than I will; also she will be better able to transliterate.

In the meantime, I will tell you that you'll find Nadav Kinochim in a sort of strip mall off Road 75.
Ramat Yishai is between where Roads 77 (to the east) and 73 (to the west) hit Road 75.

Anyone who has better directions and/or information, please email me or leave a comment. thanks. I promise to be back with more details.

Nadav Kinochim
t: 04-953-5414
f: 04-953-4307

Kinneret Spa Hotel

I cannot wait to see the Kinneret Spa Hotel so I can tell you what it's really like. I went back and forth about staying here. As I've said, I find it hard to trust pictures and hotel marketing, but something about this place just seems right to me.

I'd love to have something to compare it to - anyone? anyone?

Kinneret Spa Hotel
Eliezer Kaplan Blvd
Tiberias 14100
T: 972-4-672-3444
F: 972-4-672-3443
Website

400-NIS standard room, breakfast
580-NIS private balcony, jacuzzi, breakfast

Habait: an exclusive B&B in the Galilee Mountians

CSJ's cousin recommended this lovely, intimate B&B to us: Habait. It's the sort of place one will not want to stray far from, she said, describing big beds, amazing breakfasts, and in-room massages.

The location is secluded - away from tourist areas - and the drive itself is supposed to be gorgeous. The drive is also somewhat confusing in the dark so best to drive while it's still light out (be safe and get the view).

We were told that Habait is much more than a place to lay your head at the end of the night. If you're running around Galilee eating cheese, kayaking, and going into hot springs, you will not get the full experience of this exclusive B&B. Just something to think about.

T: 972-4-987-0141 for information and prices. Habait has two rooms.

*Ha-Bait (Ha-Bayit) means The House