Morello Cherry Food Collection: “Mixing business and pleasure” Benny Hadayag- Tel Aviv October 2008

This was a wonderful meal to finish off a perfect holiday. I had been in Tel Aviv for 4 days with my boyfriend Adam. He was sent on business to do some schmoozing in Tel Aviv and invited me along. We had been seeing each other for a couple of months and I agreed to spontaneously join him for an all expenses paid fun mini break away in the sunshine. I will always treasure this holiday as it was our first together and I have such great memories.

I met him on the tube when I was 15. Strange but true. He helped me off the carriage with my bags as he could see I was struggling. It was my first time on the tube travelling to London. Seven years later we crossed paths again and he said "I remember that face, I met you on a train about 7 years ago" and the rest is history!

We got a short taxi ride to Tel Aviv port, as we were staying at the David Intercontinental which is based at the other end of the Tayelet. Arriving into Tel Aviv at 6am on a BA night flight- we both crashed out curled up on the hotel lobby sofa as we were hours away from check in time.

We came across Benny Hadayag (the translation in English is Benny the fisherman) and chose to eat here. The fact it was packed out on a mid week evening in October was a good sign.

This restaurant can definitely be described as informal, taverna style dining.

There were seats outside on the port for those who liked to people watch, or indoor seating for comfort. We sat inside as hunger could not wait on this occasion. It has a no fuss interior and a relaxed atmosphere with big wooden tables. Having sat down for less than one minute an array of ten small white appetizer dishes arrived including humous, tahina, olives, deep-fried aubergine, harissa, Moroccan potatoes, Israeli salad, pickled turnips, pickled cabbage and pita bread.

The friendly buxom waitress came over to explain what happens next. It is approximately 95 Shekels for the whole meal each. The main course if a choice of grilled/baked seafood/white fish such as red snapper or sea bass and also steak as a meat option.

]

Two humongous pieces of white fish- one snapper and one seabass arrived bbq’d and wrapped rusticly in sliver foil. This wholesome way of serving was the epitamy of great holiday food. The simplicity of the food, decor, relaxed dress code creates a wonderful get stuck in, sit back and relax vibe.

The waitress gave me the background of the restaurant and told me it originally started over in Jaffa 15 years ago. it certainly has a long history as an authentic fish restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant to any fish lover dining in Tel-Aviv.

Gamla Riesling was the white wine of choice and is excellent.

I have since returned with by best friend Dalia on our holiday in April 2010. We ate outside this time and I tried the grilled mixed seafood which is incredible and I would say is their most popular dish on the menu.

"Bete Avon"