I have just returned from a week in Israel and I am so excited to share all of my new discoveries with you. On this trip I visited three cities - Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - each with distinct personalities.
I spent my first three days in Beer Sheva, which is about a 90 minute drive from Tel Aviv. Beer Sheva is "in the South" as the Israelis say, and is also in the desert.
On my first night, my bestie and I ventured out for dinner at Goomba, an Italian restaurant in a newly opened mall called Yes Planet. Beer Sheva has a bit of a suburban feel and most of the good restaurants are inside shopping malls.
Goomba has a huge outdoor patio and an even bigger space inside.
My friend, her husband and their kids are regulars at Goomba, so when we walked in just the two of us, the manager came right over and said, "Where are the kids?!" My BFF explained that I was visiting from the States and she felt I had to try this spot. He was thrilled and immediately grabbed me an English menu.
Though I had the menu in hand, my friend asked, "Can I order for us? Do you trust me?" She has been picking restaurants for us in Israel for 10 years, so of course I said, "Do it!"
She placed our order at the counter and they gave us a buzzer. You get to pick your own table, set your own place and then they buzz you when your food is ready in the kitchen window.
Goomba has a very cute vibe. It reminded me of the spaghetti and meatball scene in Lady & The Tramp (which is my favorite Disney movie of all time).
Behind this glass window you can watch the chefs making pasta.
I love the classic Italian feel of the red and white checkered placemats and of course, the branded plates, pitchers and glasses.
Our first dish was the artichoke and parmesan salad, which came topped with two monster breadsticks. Let me tell you something, this country knows how to do bread. Every single restaurant, no matter what you order, serves bread as a starter or on the side. They take it very seriously.
This is a great dish to share because the portion is so generous. In addition to the artichokes and parmesan, the bowl is also filled with lettuce, carrots and sun-dried tomatoes. It's all tossed in a Caesar-like dressing. I loved it.
Next we moved on to my friend's very most favorite dish, the home made tortellini with roasted mushrooms, ricotta cheese, butter sauce and truffle oil. Did you just have a heart attack?
This tortellini (and its filling) is so creamy and heavenly. I couldn't stop eating it.
Even once we'd devoured all the pasta pillows, I used the breadsticks from the salad to soak up more butter and truffle sauce. Savage? Maybe.
We also shared a small margherita pizza. I found it interesting the restaurant called it margherita, because traditionally that pizza is made with slices of mozzarella cheese, a light tomato sauce and fresh basil. My friend shared that they do also make that style pizza, but they call it by a different name.
This pizza was yummy (all pizza is), but not particularly memorable. I was so obsessed with the butter and truffle sauce from the tortellini, that I also used my pizza crust for dipping.
Goomba does have dessert, but we were already planning to stop by a gelato shop around the corner, Leggenda. Goomba's desserts are all individually packaged in jars, which is adorable and also makes them easy to take home if you're too stuffed for dessert right after dinner.
We took our extra pieces of pizza home and I loved the "Grazie!" message on the takeout container. It's the little things.
Now I know what you must be thinking. Did she really have Italian food for her first meal in Israel? Not hummus or falafel? I did and for two reasons: first, I trust my friend's taste in restaurants and knew she would never take me somewhere subpar and second, I have a history of having great Italian food in unexpected places. Do you remember that my first meal in Paris a few years ago was also at an Italian place? It was called Gambino and it was stellar. I am starting to think eating Italian on the first night of a big trip may be good luck.
If you live in Israel or are planning a trip soon, Goomba also has locations in Petach Tikva and Rishon LeTzion.
Comments
ค.คน
Wed, 02/16/2022 - 21:53
เว็บ 123 if you need to get rich click and join.
Nyknong28
Wed, 02/16/2022 - 23:10
เว็บพนันออนไลน์ A comprehensive online website, football betting, baccarat, slot games, the most modern system No minimum deposit
pong pong
Wed, 02/16/2022 - 23:20
เว็บเกมออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด casino website that have all the betting in it to answer all the needed for the gambler
เจบี สมายดี
Wed, 02/16/2022 - 23:23
igoal88 The best online casino website in Thailand
nnatc
Wed, 02/16/2022 - 23:53
เว็บ 123 Easy to play on your phone without downloading. Moreover, there are more than 3,000 slot games that you can choose to spin the slots in minutes by minute. Don't miss out on world-class slots games Come and prove yourself today
Maypink Chanel
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 00:01
123 slot game make money
วงใน หลอดแก้ว
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 00:14
Slots are the easiest to break. If you don't believe, try to play at the website.123 over123over
ti tom
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 00:35
สมัคร igoal88win if you like confidence and gamble click
Naza1
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 00:45
sa casino Sports, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hours
zoom88 zoom88
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 01:07
เว็บ88If you choose to use the service with the best online casino website, such as
123win1
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 01:40
allbet casino One way to help you make money right now
TakNazago 2112
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 02:15
sa casino Is the number 1 most popular online gambling website.
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 02:41
เว็บคาสิโน The best online gambling casino Number 1
ศิริศักดิ์ เอี่...
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 04:18
เทิร์นโอเวอร์ Web gambling money system the most stable in Asia.
นาย วาทิต วงษ์ว...
Thu, 02/17/2022 - 04:44
IGOAL88
IGOAL88
Built to support people who want to play at a casino But unable to travel to the casino
Jded
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 00:07
ยอดเทิร์นโอเวอร์ Sign up for play games to earn money
ค.คน
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 01:05
allbet if you need to get rich click and fun.
pardonmaley
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 01:18
เว็บแทงหวย how to make good use of those strategies you reveal.
nnatc
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 02:41
sa casino Easy to play on your phone without downloading. Moreover, there are more than 3,000 slot games that you can choose to spin the slots in minutes by minute. Don't miss out on world-class slots games Come and prove yourself today
sswmfn
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 03:07
The best online gambling sites right nowหวยไทย
Nahoya Kawata
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 05:05
สล็อต Is the number 1 most popular online gambling website
Meiqna
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 05:31
เกมส์ไพ่ The most advanced online system for you to experience in one place
sswmfn
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 06:29
The best online gambling sites right nowsa casino
IG 88
Fri, 02/18/2022 - 13:23
แทงบอลออนไลน์ The best online football betting website and has a form of football betting that can meet the needs of the gambler
snell toom
Sat, 02/19/2022 - 01:17
Many good promotions that are pleasing to both old and new customers. at 123over only. สล็อตแตกง่าย
sswmfn
Sat, 02/19/2022 - 04:35
Easy to win prizes Breaks most often now.สูตรรูเล็ต
pardonmaley
Sat, 02/19/2022 - 05:19
ดูหนัง free movies, series and a lot it for home entertainment. let's watching.
Foolest
Sat, 02/19/2022 - 14:15
สล็อต ฟรีApply for membership through the staff 24 hours a day. Automatic deposit-withdrawal system.
Foolest
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 06:59
เว็บ 123 One way to help you make money right now
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 11:52
ราคาบอล
ti tom
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 21:14
igoal is the website that have all the betting in it to answer all the needed for the gambler
เจบี สมายดี
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 21:23
วิธีดูราคาบอล online gambling website that collects many bets We are a comprehensive service provider, including from many famous camps, easy to play, automatic deposit-withdrawal system, 100% safe.
123win1
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 21:44
เว็บ 123 Finally there is entertainment in your spare time, there are over 100 games to choose from.
zoom88 zoom88
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:00
เกมไฮโล A collection of popular casino games around the world. Guaranteed fun and complete service
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:04
ราคาบอล previews and predictions for these competitions on our football predictions page.
Naza1
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:16
เว็บนาซ่า Football, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hours
Maypink Chanel
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:28
เว็บ 123 online gambling
TakNazago 2112
Sun, 02/20/2022 - 23:24
วิธีดูราคาบอล Online gambling service providers That answers all needs Excellent gambler 24 hours a day.
ศิริศักดิ์ เอี่...
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 00:24
เว็บนาซ่า Web gambling money system the most stable in Asia.
นาย วาทิต วงษ์ว...
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 00:52
NAZAGO
NAZAGO There is a free credit bonus promotion for new members this month.
Foolest
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 02:03
เกม 123Guaranteed by the service for a long time.
Naza1
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 03:55
วิธีดูราคาบอล Football, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hour
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 05:32
ปั่นแปะออนไลน์ There are pretty, beautiful girls who are always.
IG 88
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:07
NAZA Online gambling service providers That answers all needs Excellent gambler 24 hours
Jded
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 21:09
เว็บ 123 Sign up for play games earn money.
Meiqna
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 21:43
เว็บ123 The most advanced online system for you to experience in one place
ค.คน
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 22:11
เว็บ 123 if you want to get cash click and rich.
Nisa
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 22:36
เว็บ 123 Online lottery website
pong pong
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 22:36
เว็บเกมออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด casino website that have all the betting in it to answer all the needed for the gambler
zoom88 zoom88
Mon, 02/21/2022 - 22:47
เว็บ88website There is an opportunity for players Have tried playing before making a real bet.