We're wary of TikTok restaurants: they're filled with trendy young women in their 20s, posting videos at trendy spots just to establish social status. These young women, resembling duplicates of Noa Kirel and Anna Zack, dress alike, style alike, and speak the same language. A stranger wouldn't get it, and truth be told, neither do we. But one thing is undeniable: they manage to generate impressive hype.
By the way, did you hear that the song "Nachon, At Yafa" ("You're Pretty, Right") went viral on TikTok after the younger generation discovered (and were shocked) just now that Efraim Shamir envied Yardena Arazi so much and wished her "never to know true love"? And so we arrived at Plaza Cafe, Tel Aviv's leading TikTok restaurant. If you scroll through social media, there's no chance you won't stumble upon several Kirel-Zack lookalikes nestled there in branches, documenting the "ummm" in a video - and believe me, it goes viral.
The amount of mentions on social media about Plaza is so high that they stick to each other and persuade each other, and thus the place fills up with young women like them. Nevertheless, we entered with our heads held high, like Eden Golan in his prime, and even if we attracted stares, you know what moves us at our age. However, contrary to the bubblegum image, Plaza is not only beautiful - it's also a baker, a cook, and frankly refreshing in its character. Despite everyone being busy finding the right filter on their story, Plaza, it turns out, is not as shallow and empty as we mistakenly thought. When delving into the food, it's simply wonderful.
The Brie cheese platter is a beloved appetizer, and surprisingly cheap: a hill of French cheese - the one King Louis XVI requested to eat as his last meal before his head rolled - is served here with toast, crunchy nuts, and cherry tomato jam. Together with a wine glass, it's a perfect setup for a story, but also a satisfying experience for taste connoisseurs (NIS 32).
Even the cream of barley is good - it's not clear why they don't call it polenta here. Maybe because it's finely ground, with roasted mushrooms, Jerusalem artichoke, and a twist of spicy Tabasco drops? Still, it's polenta. Perhaps this word reminds the Kirels of their grandmother, and they're looking for the clever rather than the obvious? Maybe, but what's for sure - it's tasty (NIS 49).
The main courses here are medium-sized, and if you're hungry, you'll have to order a few plates. The oven-baked salmon fillet is delicately commendable, with a decent root cream and cherry tomatoes which, in our opinion, were added after cooking (NIS 79). Spaghetti with white fish is a better dish: the pasta is delicate in flavor after being boiled in miso butter, and it also has a sharpness that adds contrast to its delicateness. It's a fun and quite simple dish, one that inspires cooking at home (NIS 85).
The best of them all is the brisket dish - within a fresh parsley leaf, we found a generous amount of beef ribs, slow-cooked with a salad of lentils, leek confit, and several sauces. On the menu, by the way, it says "with leek," without the word "confit." Do the young women know the meaning of the term, or as long as it sounds clever, it's cool? I don't know. What I do know is the result: a bite that will turn your head in a whirl like a fountain spray, a dish that is stimulating to the senses and very enjoyable (NIS 66).
Just before we left, we took a selfie. Now we're considering opening a TikTok.
Plaza Cafe, Dizengoff Square, Tel Aviv (not kosher).
If I'm not mistaken, the portions at Greg are larger and more generous than in other chains. In a country where "eating with the eyes" is a thing, this is a huge advantage. If the network had a TikTok army, you would see queues forming even against network restaurants. It's not as old as the "Aroma" chain, but it appeals to the middle class who love good food, in decent portions and at a reasonable price.
If you don't have time to sit and eat at Greg Cafe, enjoy the noodles in curry from now on, you can take sandwiches and salads from the giant refrigerator and eat at the office. We reached the new branch in TLV Mall - located in the center of the open passage, and in addition to the network dishes, also offers takeaway meals - GRAB&GO is what this trend is called, which slowly but surely is spreading among many cafes, even in supermarkets.
At the heart of the new cafe is a counter for takeaway services, combining an available fridge and open to the public who can take home all the bakery items Greg has to offer, such as pastries, hot and cold drinks, breads, pre-cut fruits, discounted yogurt, packaged personal salads, spreads, sauces, and more. As part of the new concept, a selection of special sandwiches will be offered for the first time exclusively at the first branch, with the idea that commuters and passersby are looking for quick, tasty, and available culinary options while on the move.
We ordered the fish and green curry (NIS 67), received a wide plate with an amount that could suffice for two diners: a grilled and juicy sea bream fillet, underneath thin noodles, coriander, garlic, zucchini, green leafy vegetables in green curry sauce, basil, and crushed peanuts - a good and satisfying dish that symbolizes the versatile capabilities of "Greg." Not only breakfasts, but also restaurant-quality dishes, and at a price that, altogether, has no competition.
Greg Cafe - GRAB&GO, TLV Mall (kosher).