Food That Keeps Me
Up At Night
Hey everyone, a few days ago I had the idea of writing about a very serious matter, that of food. Food so good – so delicious – it keeps me up at night, ensnaring me in dreams and daydreams. Food so good I’d go to the ends of the Earth for just a bite. The kind of food I’d fly to London or New York for, because it’s worth the airplane ticket. That said, let’s start here in Israel. Better yet, my own home town, Tel Aviv
Crack Toast – Spicehaus
One of my favorite foods is toast (everyone knows I’m a breakfast fanatic) but I have never had anything close to the special and amazing taste of the Spicehaus Crack Toast, easily one of the greatest treats I’ve ever had the privilege to eat. The first time I went to the Spicehaus was December of 2017, and ever since that fateful day, any time I think of their Crack Toast, I wonder if I’m not exaggerating. Maybe it’s not as amazing as I remember. And then I go back and I order the Crack Toast. And it is SO. GOOOOOD! The menu describes it as toast with ricotta, mozzarella, truffle spread, and maple syrup. Honestly though that doesn’t even begin to describe how incredible this toast is, so…if you ever see me daydreaming, there’s a good chance it’s about the Spicehaus Crack Toast…
Bazooka Gnocchi – Tati
This meal comes to us from Tati in Givatayim. I was introduced to this place in 2016 by my parents, who knew I’d like this meal but probably not how much would I absolutely love it. It was love at first sight for me and the Bazooka Gnocchi. First things first, it’s gorgeous! Cheesy, bright pink gnocchi, served in a creamy sauce with smoked gorgonzola and beets (giving it its signature color) and, best of all, the strong and complex flavours imparted by blue cheese, tying it all together and engraving this dish in my mind. Sadly this dish was changed in recent years and it’s not quite as cheesy as it used to be, with the blue cheese all but gone, but the unrelenting memory of this neon pink gnocchi haunts me to this day. Maybe one day it’ll make a return as I knew it.
Omelette Sandwich – Cafe Netto
When I like a certain dish I LIKE IT and never tire of it, and the Omelette Sandwich at Cafe Netto in Tel Aviv University was a very serious love affair! I think at some point people actually started asking me, “Where’s your omelette sandwich?” People began to recognize me from afar, walking my brisk walk with my omelette sandwich and coffee. My own signature sandwich. My “uniform”, if you will. For about 4 years I ate one almost every day and I don’t know if it was the bread or the cream cheese or the omelette but it was encouraging and satisfying during the hardest of times. It gave me energy and motivation and, most importantly, made me happy, and I can honestly say it made me wag my tail with happiness.
Eggs Benedict – Cafe Hillel
Some of the previous dishes may have been breakfast dishes but now I’d like to talk about my favorite morning food – Eggs Benedict. This one holds a special place in my heart and, for years, was my ‘happy food’. Every celebration, any time I was sad or lonely, I’d pop over to Cafe Hillel and order their Eggs Benedict – poached eggs on brioche, served with hollandaise sauce and a leafy salad. I even filmed my first movie in my first year in uni at the branch in Schuster, so the place itself is special to me, too. Sadly it has since closed down, and with it went my chances to eat that dreamy poached egg which I will never forget and occasionally dream of, particularly on days when I’m sad or wanting to celebrate.
Avocado Toast – Crispin, London
I found this next place while studying fashion at Marangoni in London, in 2018. Near the school there was a small, magical place where we’d occasionally go for breakfast. This wonderful place was Crispin. I remember it like it was yesterday – me, sitting in an amazing outfit, beautifully made up, having coffee and an avocado toast with my classmates before our next fascinating and challenging class. At Crispin my obsession with avocado toast began. They made the BEST one I have ever had. Excellent, toasted bread, fresh, ripe avocado, chives, chili flakes, some lemon (and its zest), olive oil and an unforgettable taste. Tom and I have since come to Crispin and sadly the menu was completely upended, but maybe in some universe Crispin will read this post by a girl from Tel Aviv who’s haunted at night by their Avocado Toast (the 2018 model), and bring it back to their regular menu.
Mac and Cheese – Camden Market, London
Another wonderful place in London hides away in Camden Market – “The Mac Factory”. After a good look at their website I’ve come to understand that the particular mac and cheese I had was “La Med Babe”. Macaroni, cheese, pesto, half-dried tomatoes, baby mozzarella, and fried breadcrumbs on top. I didn’t get to come back to this place but I dream of returning and re-trying this amazing, satiation dish! I’ll add a link to their website right here, so you can try it yourself.
Red Velvet Cheesecake – Magnolia
In 2020 Tom and I went to New York City, and we went to Magnolia Bakery, right by 30 Rock. The same Magnolia Bakery which appears in Sex and the City. We didn’t go in because I heard anything particularly good about the place but because it is very famous thanks to its appearance in the aforementioned show, making it a bit of a tourist attraction. For fans of Sex and the City, at least. My life was changed there, when I tried one of the most wonderful, delicious cakes in the world. A red velvet cheesecake with a rich chocolatey-buttery base and cream made from dreams. I had the cake almost every single day of the trip and any time I wasn’t eating it I was thinking about it. We went to a train station just for the Magnolia branche hidden away in it, we planned our routes by Magnolia Bakeries and picked the cake up to eat at the hotel in front of the TV and every single time I would just melt, it was always just as delicious as I remembered and even a smidge more. This year my job is taking me to NYC and I am honestly going to go to Magnolia first thing in the morning and treat myself to a red velvet cheesecake. It’s one of the reasons I’m most excited to go (please don’t judge me!).
Now I’d like to hear from you, what foods keep you up at night?
I’m really curious about places and dishes in Tel Aviv, in Israel, and the world at large.
You’re welcome to contact me on Instagram or Facebook.
If you’d like to read more about my time in London in 2018 click here, and if you want more lifestyle posts click here.
I’d love to hear from you about anything!
-Sapir-