Hapizza Bugrashov: Neapolitan Pizza in Tel Aviv

I have never found a person around the world that does not like pizza. Pizza may have its roots in Italian cuisine, but today pizza is an international food found on almost every corner of the globe. While you can find pizza anywhere, the quality may not be there sometimes. Bad pizza may still be edible, but it is still bad pizza and that is never a good thing. My pizza experience here in Israel, more specifically Tel Aviv has been hit or miss most of the times. Delivery standards such as Pizza Hut and Dominos can be found and still even abroad they taste like cardboard. The local Israeli whole in the wall pizzerias also are nothing special as well. Some feature incredibly thin crust which is like eating a cracker or even worse...matzah. Others can be carbon copies of Dominos with a fluffy crust with that aftertaste of cardboard. Not to mention sometimes the cheese tastes like plastic which can ruin your dining experience. There is however a light that shines from Bugrashov Street to everyone that pass it. HaPizza serves Neapolitan style pizzas, pastas, salads, and other Italian specialties. The atmosphere at HaPizza is perfect for munching on one of the best pizzas in Tel Aviv and in my opinion Israel. When you walk in, you can see each pizza being made by hand by one of their pizzaiolos. With that being said, there is nothing really for them to hide. Fresh dough made daily, fresh sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and quality toppings make this pizza a must try here in Tel Aviv. Each pizza is sized perfect for one person with a large appetite or perfect for sharing with another person alongside one of HaPizza's fresh salads or pasta dishes. The fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and the hot brick oven they use to bake their pizzas create a pizza you will crave for. HaPizza does not specialize in slices, instead you order a whole pizza. Even if you are hungry for just a slice, you will want to eat the whole pie its that good. You can choose from a variety of toppings such as mushrooms, roasted red peppers, roasted eggplant, anchovies, Kalamata olives, zucchini, tuna, arugula, chili peppers, and feta cheese, HaPizza tries to stay kosher style so if you are looking for a slice of pepperoni you are out of luck. Even without the pepperoni, the pizza is that good that you will forget all about pepperoni pizza. Pizzas are priced reasonably as well averaging around 56 shekels or 16 dollars. This might sound excessive for a pizza, but you pay for the top quality ingredients they use in each pizza they make. The better the ingredients, the better the pizza will taste so I would have no problem paying for quality. HaPizza can be found on the corner of Bugrashov and Pinsker is the heart of Tel Aviv, just minutes from beach. For pizza lovers in Tel Aviv, HaPizza is a must eat restaurant.

Ala Rampa: Tel Aviv

Vegetarian and Vegan diets are becoming more and more popular everyday with people making the switch it seems daily. With more people making the switch, more restaurants are making the switch as well to provide dining experiences that satisfy vegetarians and vegans, but also for those omnivores among us that just like to eat delicious food. With a significant percentage of the population here in Israel adhering to a vegetable based diet, it is no wonder there are a plethora of excellent restaurants providing vegetarian specific cuisine. One of these restaurants is tucked away in South Tel Aviv in a seeming industrial area. Ala Rampa is one of those restaurants that also doubles as a hipster hang out. Ala Rampa has a great scene for hanging out with friends over drinks, or for the occasional special events they host from time to time. The menu features several dishes that are meant to be shared among friends, and main courses. One dish that you should definitely start off your meal with is the beer battered onions served with Tabasco mayo. A unique spin on the onion ring, but more delicious and perfect to nibble on while having a beer or cocktail. Three stand out main dishes include the artichoke hearts and mushrooms served on truffle polenta, the black lentil masbacha, and the eggplant lasagna. Finish your meal with one of their decadent and delicious dessert options. One of their more unique desserts is the pears in whisky served on labane cheese and a chili balsamic reduction. The star dessert however is the caramelized bananas served with cinnamon sour cream, silan(date honey), and roasted almonds. After eating at Ala Rampa for the first time, I did not feel like I had missed eating meat. The mixture of flavors, and textures created a fantastic dining experience that made me want more and more. Hopefully after your first time you will feel the same way.