http://www.chow.com/boards/53 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:50:23 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/668942#5199595 I highly recommend Savor Israel culinary tours. They offer culinary tours of Israel that are really incredible. Check them out www.savorisrael.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:50:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668942#5199595 http://www.chow.com/topics/603904#5185410 that sounds very sad :) went to Israel in May 2009. forgot about my post, so i thought i would follow up with the restos i ate at. by the way, just a warning to you all: had our car broken into in Caesaria. jerks stole everythings. but anyways... Tel Aviv: Agenda, near Dizzingoff Mall. Excellent shwarma. and i normally wouldn't rave about shwarma, but its excellent there. Itzik HaGadol - kind of touristy, but i still think all the salads plus the shishlik you get it excellent and worth it. go there hungry. Abu Hassan - their humus and masabacha is unbelievable. their ful was ok. worth the visit. Jerusalem: Marzipan - rugelach are unreal. In Shuk Machaneh Yehudah, just off of Aggripas, there's an alleyway near the entrance. there's a small cafe in that alleyway across from the butchershop. they have excellent shakshuka and great pancakes and make a nice latte. in the Galil/Golan: we stayed in Rosh Pina. the food itself in Rosh Pina was not amazing except there was a good falafel/humus restaurant at the foot of the city near the first traffic circle. it has a large patio. its known for its humus. the best restaurant was a shishlik grill on Rte 90 5 minutes south of Rosh Pina in a Paz gas station on the east side of the highway. very good food and salads. otherwise, we ate at Julia's in Rosh Pina and it was probably our most mediocre meal while in Israel. Rosh HaNiqra - there is a really cool Golan Brewpub in the park. when i say "cool", i mean that its nice to be able to get Israeli beer other than Goldstar or Maccabi. and Golan beer is pretty good. the food was good/above average. the view was spectacular. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:54:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/603904#5185410 http://www.chow.com/topics/666300#5172461 Hi, i have a friend living there now but she's coming home for the holidays. What should she bring back for me? Thanks from Toronto Canada! Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/666300#5172461 http://www.chow.com/topics/268295#5164718 I was curious if anyone had any recent thoughts on this Beirut food query. I'll be there visiting/sightseeing in early December and would love one or two good places to hit. I've lived in Manhattan for ten years and come from an Arab heritage. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:02:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/268295#5164718 http://www.chow.com/topics/662599#5163911 We had dinner at Riad Fes last month and thought it was great, including the oud player. It's a beautiful hotel in the medina, full of foreigners, of course, but the food was the most delicious, with the most varied menu, we encountered in our brief trip. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:38:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662599#5163911 http://www.chow.com/topics/663173#5139080 Any tips for the various islands scattered across the Indian Ocean - on a small independent cruise ship going from Hong Kong to Capetown. The MV Discovery - anyone been on it? Thanks. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:06:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663173#5139080 http://www.chow.com/topics/663172#5139078 Any tips for the various islands scattered across the Indian Ocean - on a small independent cruise ship going from Hong Kong to Capetown. The MV Discovery - anyone been on it? Thanks. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:06:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663172#5139078 http://www.chow.com/topics/561022#5133789 The Delhi Darbar serves delicious Indian cuisine. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:13:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/561022#5133789 http://www.chow.com/topics/549444#5133787 The Delhi Darbar serves delicious Indian cuisine. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:12:15 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/549444#5133787 http://www.chow.com/topics/661408#5121993 We had pizza last night from a place in Mohandeseen called Da Franco, which was the best pizza we're had in Cairo so far. Maison Thomas is always touted as the best, but IMO, this was far superior. I have since read some discussion about pizza in Cairo on the Lonely Planet web site, and according to the posting, this is the favorite of Italians in Cairo. It is on www.otlob.com and ours was delivered through this web site. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:48:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661408#5121993 http://www.chow.com/topics/587077#5114014 Second Indy 67's recommendation of Adora; great meal, and high quality for the money. Another place I'd add is Tapeo, which is an excellent Spanish tapas bar. I've eaten a lot of tapas, and this place is quite good. Unless you go early, expect it to be bustling. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:41:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/587077#5114014 http://www.chow.com/topics/638884#5111676 I realized after a stroll thru the mall that I should have written Pan Quotidien, not Au bon pan. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:43:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/638884#5111676 http://www.chow.com/topics/659858#5107407 I'd be much obliged for a recommendation or two in each city for very good dinners with authentic or upscale Moroccan cuisine. One dinner is already booked at Riad Myra, Fez, for logistical reasons, which I hope wasn’t a bad idea from the gastromic point of view. Also, what about grabbing snacks or lunch? And finally, lunch at the site of Volubilis or nearby. Many thanks. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:40:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659858#5107407 http://www.chow.com/topics/658409#5092557 I've been living in Jerusalem for a while and am now moving to Tel Aviv - and still painfully more apart of the Anglo community than I would like to be (but getting better with the Hebrew) - so finding good bars/night spots that don't entirely cater to the 18 yr old/tourist crowd still has moments of trial and error. In Jerusalem, I'm already a fan of HaTaklit and Mia's - but would love other recommendations. As well as those for Tel Aviv. Cheers Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:06:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/658409#5092557 http://www.chow.com/topics/461475#5066865 With Jacko, the further you go from home base, the worse it gets. Home is on Kehillat Saloniki , north(/) of Kikar Paris in Haifa. It is excellent and cheap. (Always go to the business lunch- everywhere.) Also very good is the branch on Moriah St on the Carmel. Excellent (heimish, if you came from Turkey) salads, fish and surprisingly good desserts. Netanya is so-so. Look out (as in beware ) for a lot of the places where where the locals eat. There is a lot of bad Ashkenazi and Mughrabi cooking. Its like going to London and eating working class. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:53:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/461475#5066865 http://www.chow.com/topics/647891#5066092 where di d you post? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:12:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/647891#5066092 http://www.chow.com/topics/654405#5066090 Please identify the dishes in the photos and tell us where they are from. VVM Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:10:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/654405#5066090 http://www.chow.com/topics/654968#5058705 I will be traveling throughout Israel in December with family and am interested in having one over-the-top dining experience during my time there at a top-end restaurant. Is there a short-list of restaurants that I should consider, either in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or elsewhere? Price is not a concern, but want a fantastic experience. Would prefer the restaurant to represent the culture also (i.e. not looking for an Italian meal). Thanks! Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:41:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/654968#5058705 http://www.chow.com/topics/631394#5049915 That makes two of us. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:32:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/631394#5049915 http://www.chow.com/topics/653358#5046911 I would suggest trying to wander into a residential neighborhood away from the sea/hotels and see what you find. "Eilat" and "not touristy" do not go together. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:47:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/653358#5046911 http://www.chow.com/topics/653599#5043525 We're going to southern Spain in the spring. We're considering taking the ferry to Tangier. Any recommendations for things to do and restaurants welcome. Also interested in your opinions pro and con about the city. Thanks! Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:30:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/653599#5043525 http://www.chow.com/topics/648406#5013134 Thank you, either my cousin will know of it or be totally surprised. Either way it's a win-win for me. I should have plenty of time since I'll be in Rehovot for almost a week, yeah! Authentic is good. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:04:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/648406#5013134 http://www.chow.com/topics/646777#5001794 We just had a really good meal last night in a place called Casper's & Gambini's inside the Nile City Towers, which is essentially a large office building. The place looked like a coffee shop, but it had a surprisingly large menu that spanned everything from breakfast to dessert. I had a fabulous chicken under a brick with red bliss potatoes and string beans, and my son had a tenderloin with a rice they called risotto, but wasn't really. It was what I would term an American style meal. We were taken there by a friend who used to work int he building. Inside was a large multi-plex and well as a Starbucks (not that common here!) and a fantastic nut shop among other stores and kiosks. It was pretty antiseptic -- like an American office building -- but after a month in Cairo and six weeks traveling, we were up for that! Yes, my British friend had lunch at therestaurant in the Al-Ahzar park and she said that it was quite good. We haven't eaten there since we mainly hang around Zamalek at night. We had quite an experience the other night. We were taken by our driver (who is on loan fromt he tour guide we use since it's slow during Ramadan) to a very Egyptian area called Imbaba. THIS is the read Cairo and we ate at a little kebab place having delicious chicken, skirt steak and kofta, as well as a kind of salad frequently referred to as "Egyptian Salad," which is essentially some roughly chopped raw vegetables dressed with herbs and lime juice. We took a real chance eating there, but had no ill-effects whatsoever, and really loved the down-home atmosphere. My son's coach was horrified that we had eaten in a restaurant in Imbaba, but most upper-class Egyptians would turn their noses up at a place like that as well as Old Maadi, which is where the driver lives. There we saw -- and smelled-- the most delicious rotisserie chickens. We have lunch a lot at Hardee's. It is really pretty good when you've had it with local grub! The main thing is avoiding the water. It's not that it's bad, it's just that you're not used to it. That means no ice and brushing your teeth with bottled water. We have never gotten really sick -- just some runs here and there -- but if you're really worried, bring some cipro. We got home tomorrow night, and then back in late September, but we will be living in an apartment in Mohandeseen then, and thankfully cooking most of our meals. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:56:26 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/646777#5001794 http://www.chow.com/topics/644022#4969399 Our second visit was not as inspiring. I recommend that if you go here that you first order your appetizers and then have them come back to take the order for the mains. I had the feeling that the main courses were pre-cooked since they were dry and cold. The first time was fabulous, but maybe because we were with a recognized regular? Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:41:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/644022#4969399 http://www.chow.com/topics/611408#4950360 I am a huge fan of Cocont Grove on Dhayafa Street at Rydges Hotel in Satwa. Great Goan, Keralan, and Sri Lankan cuisine + they even serve alcohol cocktails. Most of the great less expensive restaurants in Dubai don't have a booze license, so this place was always a treat. Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:41:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/611408#4950360 http://www.chow.com/topics/571745#4950302 Bahrain has many great restaurants, and the fruit stands in some of the old districts make incredible smoothies. There is a restaurant there modeled after a Balinese palace on the inside that we ate at that was amazing and the cost was very reasonable. The name escapes me at the moment, but it seems to be quite well known as a top dining location in Manama. I was also pleased to get some pretty good Tex Mex chow at Rick's Kountry Kitchen (it's not too far from the AlJazeera office), the outside looks like any other villa, but on the inside you could be in a dinner in the American South. Everything we ate there was fab, except for the grits, but then again, I was just pleased to see them on the menu. From what I hear, there is also a RKK in Doha and Kuwait, but am not sure where. Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:02:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/571745#4950302 http://www.chow.com/topics/637842#4950035 Oh yeah. Blue Dolphin, in Jerusalem ,( a Rogov, but very well known, a short walk from the King David Hotel ) is quite alright for fish and salads. But you must go in time for their business lunch , which ends at 5 pm. In general, figure out the business lunches when you are in Israel. Prices increase by 25% and significantly higher after the clock strikes. If you are a family, the saving gets to be significant. Sun, 16 Aug 2009 06:27:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/637842#4950035 http://www.chow.com/topics/644440#4944140 Though the place is very cool looking -- like something out of the Casbah -- the food was mediocre to poor. I could not eat the shrimp in the dish I ordered -- they were so mushy they just dissolved, and the stuffed grape leaves were tasteless. The fatir that was served for dessert looked -- and tasted -- like it had seen better days. This is not a good option for food in Cairo. They do have a bar, so it is a better place for a drink if you are interested in going here. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:12:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/644440#4944140 http://www.chow.com/topics/643523#4933742 We went there last year, and it was less than mediocre, but since it is next door to our hotel, and it was late and we were hungry, we decided to give it another try. It was dramatically improved from last year -- at least for the dishes we had. One was a Kung Pao chicken (I counted exactly three peanuts!), which I had asked for extra spicy and it came out with a little tingle but tasty nonetheless, and chicken with garlic sauce which was a lighter, but also tasty sauce. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:18:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/643523#4933742 http://www.chow.com/topics/634582#4933575 As I have Crohn's Disease, I'm generally the first person to get GI distress from any odd ingestible. I've never had a problem with the water there. In the (rented) apartment and restaurants I drink tap water with no ill effects. Out and about in the summer I either buy bottles of limonana or assorted Prigat beverages or fill up water bottles and carry with me. By all means, in the summer drink all you can and then drink some more. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:38:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/634582#4933575 http://www.chow.com/topics/312439#4925100 To avoid absolutely is the "Argentine steakhouse", El Gaucho, on Rothschild. Hamburger was cold, fries were cold, and when i complained they put the Hamburger back on the grill to overcook it. Beer was good. Note nearby is Nahalat Binjamin St. with fabulous bars and wine and cheese places. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:07:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/312439#4925100 http://www.chow.com/topics/642253#4919935 Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice restaurant near the University of Jordan where we can take some VIPs for lunch? Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:20:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/642253#4919935 http://www.chow.com/topics/638148#4878580 Eating won't be a problem in Jerusalem. If the restaurants are open during four of the six fast days then they will def. be serving meat during the nine days. Restaurants take a big enough hit during Passover; they won't be changing menus for these eight business days. Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:32:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/638148#4878580 http://www.chow.com/topics/613340#4872799 cherietownshead, I was a student at tel aviv university back in the 1980's...and my israeli boyfriend use to take me to abu shukri. I havent heard of that restaurant for many many years. WOW. I cant beleive its still around. For sure I will be going there with my family in August when we visit. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:44:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/613340#4872799 http://www.chow.com/topics/622425#4871962 I am VERY interested in the lentil soup recipe, if you're willing to share. I've been trying to replicate Abou El Sid's lentil soup with no success. Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:09:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/622425#4871962 http://www.chow.com/topics/634581#4836094 We're making our first trip to Israel and will be based in Jerusalem at the Inbal. What were your favorite places? From falafel to fine dine...I'd love to know the places that shouldn't be missed. Thank you! Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:46:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/634581#4836094 http://www.chow.com/topics/618920#4817434 Excellent baklava can be found at Al Mukhtar in Nazareth - particularly the miniature version for weddings, with pistachio or cashew. And while there, do not pass up on the Knaffe - a much less well-known relative of baklava, based on sheep's cheese and cruncy filo-type noodles that is delightful. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:16:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/618920#4817434 http://www.chow.com/topics/626819#4797028 Escaping the airport during a 5 hour layover is very do-able. Be advised that you'll have to pay for a visa, assuming you are from a country that can get those at the airport. If your layover is at night, one option is to hop in a cab and go directly to Souq Waqif, which is about 15 min drive from the airport. At the Souq, there are a multitude of restaurants that serve a mix of Arab / Lebanese / Persian cuisine. My favorite is Al Bandar. The Souq is a good place to kill time too Another option is to go to Al Mourjan, which is on the Corniche (next to the Asian Games "Orry the Oryx" statue) about 20 min drive from airport, which serves up standard Middle Eastern fare. An assortment of cold and hot meze and some hammour or possibly mixed grill will leave you in good stead. http://www.almourjanrest.com/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:29:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/626819#4797028 http://www.chow.com/topics/542834#4781653 Just got back from a trip to Morocco. I'm sure this response is late, but thought I'd add to the thread since I had a really hard time finding recommendations before my trip. I must say that Le Sud was delicious. The couscous and tagine were both cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was great also. It had dim lighting, complimentary and a lovely outdoor seating area. As for a "hole in the wall" place, we came upon Chez Rida. It's in a very local area, close to Place Mokef (just ask any cab driver to take you Place Mokef- they'll know what you're talking about and since Rida's place was so popular I'm sure you can find someone who can walk you there). He has just about a dozen seats total and a very limited menu of harira, roasted chicken, mixed salad, moroccan salad, and a roasted chicken sandwhich. Had it all. All were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Don't forget to get msemen/malaoui from one of the ladies selling them in their small roadside stands. They are a cross between a crepe and phyllo, fried on a flat plan, and served rolled up in paper. If you're staying at a riad you'll probably have them for breakfast there also. You can get them all over Morocco. In Fes, I had a three course tasting menu at Riad Fes. The desert was disappointing, but the salad course (it's actually 5 different 'salads' including a spiced eggplant dish with olive oil and bulger wheat wheat dish that were to die for) and the entrees were phenominal. I'm a dessert fiend and I think the savory courses more than made up for the gross desserts. Just note that they only offer some of the items on their menu online and if you want pigeon, you have to order it in advance. Also in Fes, we ate at Thami's a million times. It's listed in Lonely Planet with good reason. Every single meal was finger lickin' good and the portions were enough for two people to share. Definitely go here!! Both Riad Fes and Thami's are located close to Place Batha so should be easy enough to find from there. There's also a taxi stand in Batha making it really convenient to catch a cab home after dinner if you're not within walking distance. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:51:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/542834#4781653 http://www.chow.com/topics/621896#4779157 Yes, but wiki was instrumental in helping to understand that the tea and the drink in I had in Cairo (and Mexican restaurants as an agua fresca) were one and the same . . . and I learned about the details of which part of the flower the drink is made from as well as the history and ubiquitousness of this drink throughout the world. It was quite interesting. Regarding ordering from the internet, I usually look for a local vendor first as I like to support our own businesses in town. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:30:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/621896#4779157 http://www.chow.com/topics/628026#4773791 Hi there. I live in Haifa and am trying to prepare homemade corned beef. I bought some briskets, but I have not been able to find any *curing salt*. In the shuks they tell me they only sell coarse (kosher salt) salt. Does anyone have an idea where one might procure curing salt? Thanks in advance for your attention to my question... Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:03:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/628026#4773791 http://www.chow.com/topics/507247#4762858 Good day, Kibsons International LLC has been importing and supplying meat to top quality restaurants, caterers and hotels for over 7 years. For the first time we are offering direct sales and will deliver free of charge for any orders over AED 200. Any orders lower than AED 200 can be delivered for an additional charge of AED30.00 For any additional information you can contact Daniel on 050-2598833 or Hamid on 050-2728844 Please forward to whoever you think might be interested. Kind regards, Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:35:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/507247#4762858 http://www.chow.com/topics/367143#4758145 Interesting thread - original email was in 2007 and follow-ups in 2009! Since April 2008, I have been to Riyadh four times, and going back in October and December of this year (2009). I usually stay at the Riyadh Sheraton, at the Olaya junction of King Fahad and King Abdullah Roads. It has two pretty good restaurants - the Al Bustan and La Piazza restaurants. We usually eat breakfast at Al Bustan and have had some lunches there. Usually pretty large buffet with lots of very good stuff and one of the best omelette chefs. On my last visit (April 2009), I ended up having their Wednesday night seafood buffet - which was unbelievable. A wide variety of seafood on ice - you choose what and how many - and they grill it fresh! Accompanied by the largest seafood salad and other seafood item buffet I have ever experienced! On this same trip, I had dinner one night at La Pizza and it was very good. On this last trip we also ate at an Indian restaurant called Avadh - which our local Indian manager said was his favorite. The food was good, but because he made poor choices (Avadh is Lucknow in India - and well known for kababs - which is what I would have ordered primarily), we did not probably sample their best dishes. Competently done, but there seemed to be Indian restaurants choc-a-bloc on this road near the shopping district. I don't remember the name. Near the Sheraton there is also Al Bohsali, a middle eastern restaurant where they speak little English. But the food is very good. We shared a salad platter amongst 3 hearty eaters, and it had some eggplant salads (like baba gannouj - but more spicy and different texture) that I have not had in US. The individual kebab platters were also very decent. One night our Saudi host took us to a steak place - don't remember the name - but it is on the road to the airport. Since this was somewhat far from our normal hunting grounds, I assumed it had good steak, or why else would he drive that far. Seems like he likes their salad bar. I should have realized something fishy when he ordered their chicken instead of steak. My blackened New York steak was one of the worst I have had when paying for it. Utterly forgettable experience. The salad bar was nothing special when you consider US eateries, but I guess for Riyadh it may have been. On a previous visit we went to an Italian restaurant (again near the shopping district) which does not have regular tables and chairs - they only have sofas and coffee-tables. The food was ho-hum, but looks like Italian is one of the ethnic cuisines popular in Riyadh. On that same visit, we also went to the restaurant that is on top of the Kingdom Tower (or maybe the other tower - the one that shapes up like a pointed spire). This is upscale dining, and the food was good. However, we were completely fascinated and captivated by the alcohol-free white and red wines we were served (from Israel and South Africa). I had to come Google how such wines are produced (they remove the alcohol after the fermentation is complete!). Also during that visit the sandstorm had reduced visibility to half a block, and so we had very poor views of Riyadh, one of the attractions of this roof-top restaurant. There are two traditional Saudi restaurants we have visited on two trips. These are those big places where sit on the floor and food is served communal style in the center. In both instances, it is a novel experience, but to my personal taste the food was nothing exceptional. The centerpiece is lamb cooked with rice (two variations), and a number of non-vegetarian and vegetarian accompanying dishes, and some flatbreads. it is a great way to spend time savoring traditional Saudi hospitality, but I lower my expectations in terms of food. Near the hotel there is a chain called Mama Noura. One of our older guests has a crush on this place, but I found it to be quite pedestrian. Wraps and fresh fruit juices. The Indian manager explained this other gent likes the fresh fruit juices, but I have had much better ones in India. I saw on Anthony Bourdain's trip to KSA a chain restaurant which is the Saudi equivalent of KFC, except that the chicken is quite spicy. On this last trip I tried to locate one, but was told it is not in Riyadh, but in Jeddah. My October 2009 trip will take me to Jeddah, so I hope to try this out. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:47:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/367143#4758145 http://www.chow.com/topics/625605#4747709 I would be glad to know if anybody could help me. Where to buy good quality rabbit meat in Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan-Givat Schemeul area ?. Thanks for all your help Kamesh TyeS2007 at gmail dot com Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:19:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/625605#4747709 http://www.chow.com/topics/529821#4742012 Thanks for the post! I am going in a few months to Syria so this insider info is fabulous. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:58:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/529821#4742012 http://www.chow.com/topics/614620#4734753 Possibly the reason for so many nonkosher recommendations in Jerusalem is that they're far less common. The Marakiah (I always spell the English name of the place wrong, it's a great soup place) Azure (in the shuk, it's an amazing combination of Sephardi and Ashkenazi food made with fresh food from the shuk, in the Iraqi Market section) I'd also like to second Babbet and Waffle Bar, excellent places. Also, I've never eaten at the Tico House - but for finer dining dairy, I've heard it's amazing. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:06:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/614620#4734753 http://www.chow.com/topics/617048#4671986 I thought the best restaurants in Jordan were Fakhr El-Din or Levant. For great authentic shawarma you'll want to try Reem. Hashem's is great for authentic hommus. Mon, 11 May 2009 02:51:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/617048#4671986 http://www.chow.com/topics/618770#4671336 Greetings to all! At the end of the month, I am embarking on work related travels to the UAE and the city of Abu Dhabi. Any advice that could be given on local customs, cuisine, and everything else that is essential to see in this magnificent city would greatly be appreciated. Many thanks, CM Robbins II Sun, 10 May 2009 21:40:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/618770#4671336 http://www.chow.com/topics/614718#4659351 Try the Africa board. A few folks may know there. I feel like I have heard of one, but since I don't like sushi, the info didn't stick. Wed, 06 May 2009 17:17:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/614718#4659351 http://www.chow.com/topics/617172#4653072 I am looking for all you can eat deals, including drinks for evening meal at end of June. We were in Dubai last week and had the above at the Meridean near the airport. This time we will be staying at Jumeirah Beach and we are looking for somewhere not too far from there, but would consider any based on recommendation and price. Mon, 04 May 2009 18:30:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/617172#4653072