Israel for Beginners

The Dalton Industrial Park contains three wineries and a brewery, making it a great place to go"bar hopping".  At Butterfly Brewery, we had a quick tutorial and sampled the delicious beer (there is also a meat restaurant where we did not eat).  We tasted the excellent wine at Dalton but the staff of the visitor center was not particularly welcoming or friendly.  But if you are looking for the best experience rather than the best wine, Adir Winery and Dairy beats the competition.  There is a ten minute film about the family owned business followed by an excellent brunch overlooking the vineyards.  And for 25 shekels per person, we followed the bunch with a great wine tasting with a staff member.  The wineries are located in the Dalton Industrial Park, Galillee.  Visitors Centers are open to the public but tours should be scheduled in advance. Dalton Winery -  www.dalton-winery.com  - 04-698-7683 - guided tours should be reserved in advance Butterfly Brewery - www.bfbeers.c

Cafe Gidi is a lovely cafe not far from the Tel Aviv beach.  The food is very tasty and interesting.  We tried the pizza and the beet gnocchi - both of which were very good.  There is a nice outdoor space in the back.  I found the indoor space a bit tight.  I would not make a special trip but if you are in the area, this is a great place to have a good meal. Cafe Gidi - 20 Frishman, Tel Aviv - 03-522-1178

When you walk into a restaurant located in a moshav that is literally in the middle of nowhere and the place is packed on a weekday evening, you know you have discovered something special.  The Roberg meat restaurant is a family business (the Robergs even live downstairs) that has a homey feeling; the family members circulate throughout the meal which is long and leisurely.  But do not be fooled by the lack of pretense in decor or ambience (though the views of the Kinneret are pretty amazing). Opt for the tasting menu where you will be wowed by dishes that are both creative and delicious   (fish in tempura with cherry sauce and wasabi sorbet really works!).  I am still dreaming of my meal. Roberg - Moshav Livnim, Galilee - 04-671-5656- RESERVATIONS A MUST!

Several of my Jerusalem friends have been raving about the Kadosh cafe which has been around for over 40 years; finally I had an opportunity to visit this Jerusalem icon.  The small cafe contains an extensive menu of breakfast fare, pastas, quiches, sandwiches, salads, and of course, baked goods.  The food is very good but the baked goods - specifically the croissants - are truly the stars of this show.  Be warned - it is not a large space and it fills up quickly.  Next time I am in the area, I might just buy some of the baked goods to go. Kadosh Cafe - 6 Shlomzion Hamalka, Jerusalem -  02-625-4210

I love to wander around Tel Aviv and I always stop at one of the several cafes that make my go to list.  I can now add Bakery 29 to that list.  Located on the first floor of a charming Tel Aviv renovated building with seating on the porch or inside, Bakery 29 is a great place to have an enjoyable breakfast or lunch.  I sampled the frittatas and the croissants - all of which were delicious.  And the ambience is lovely.  Best of all, the profits go to an organization called Impact!, which funds higher education for former Israeli combat soldiers who lack financial means. Bakery 29 - 29 Ahad Haam, Tel Aviv - 03-560-2020   

Houses from Within - a yearly event where select buildings and private homes are opened to the public - was recently held in Tel Aviv.  Some of the locations and tours require pre-registration while others are open houses.  Be warned that the venues/tours requiring registration close out quickly.  I visited the Kol Yehuda Synagogue, a synagogue established by the Aden Community in Neve Tzedek, where Danny Goldschmit, one of the founder's grandsons, provided a history of the buildng and the community.  I also signed up for an excellent tour of the ceramic tiles that were designed by the Bezalel Art Studio in the 1920s and displayed on many of the facades of Tel Aviv buidlings.   Houses from Within - http://www.batim-il.org/DefaultEng.aspx Kol Yehuda Synagogue - 5 Lillenblum, Tel Aviv Tour - Tehila Koenigstein - Discover Tel Aviv Center - 9 Ahad Haam, Tel Aviv - 03-517-7304 or tiki@discover-telaviv.co.il

Tucked away in a small hotel right near the center of Jerusalem, Angelica is an upscale grill restaurant that provides a very nice dining experience.  The food is very good, the ambience is lovely and the service was attentive.  While it is not my most favorite eating establishment in Jerusalem if you are looking for a nice night out in the area, this is definitely worth a visit. Angelica -  7 Shatz Jerusalem - 02-623-0056 - RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

I recently made another visit to both the Israel Museum and Tel Aviv Museum of Art.  The newly created spaces in both museums are definitely worth a visit.  At times, both buildings actually impress more than the actual exhibits.  And while I did not have time to visit either of the cafes at the museums, they do look welcoming and lovely. Israel Museum - Ruppin Boulevard, Jerusalem (near the Knesset) Tel Aviv Museum of Art - 27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd, Tel Aviv

Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda (the "Shuk") is one of Israel's most colorful and charming places to visit, but it can overwhelm newcomers.  Shuk Bites is the solution; for 99 shekels, a punch card purchased online creates a self-guided tour of ten food stalls in and around the shuk.  Many (but not all) of the listed food stalls are a sampling of the best that the shuk has to offer in terms of food.  Make sure that each merchant gives you a history of his stall (along with the tasting samples).  Shuk Bites is a great way to sample some of the best food stalls in the market at a pace that works for each person.  But don't forget to spend some time just exploring on your own! Shuk Bites - to purchase a card, go to www.machne.co.il

Jaffa - filled with history and charm - is a great place to wander around.  But to learn about Jaffa's history in a quick and entertaining way, visit Jaffa Tales in the center square of Old Jaffa.  This 40 minute multimedia experience conveys the history of Jaffa through two entertaining short films and a small sample of the archaeological finds of the area.  A perfect way to learn in an entertaining way! Jaffa Tales - Jaffa, Tel Aviv - To reserve call 03-603-7700 or email tourism@oldjaffa.co.il