The Tel Avivian haunt is better than ever
Photos by Ariel Efron, Ben Palhov and Yuval Ezrati
While many locals and visitors are already farely acquainted with Tzafon Abraxas, one of Eyal Shani's celebrated restaurants, only in-the-know Israelis and born-and-bred Tel Avivians have seen the next door (and quite hidden) Abraxas Bar transform from its early days as a true Tel Avivian stronghold to its current renovated and modern incarnation by the same name. Both Abraxas Tzafon and Abraxas Bar share the same kitchen (powered by eccentric celebrity chef) and now the bar re-opened to great acclaim just a handful of months ago, infused with new blood, including upgraded interior design touches, plenty of cozy nooks for lounging and high top tables and chairs surrounding the central bar, where all the magic happens.
Photos by Ariel Efron, Ben Palhov and Yuval Ezrati
The semi-open kitchen reveals the happy-go-lucky waitstaff catering to the whims, drinks and tastes of the hotspot's patrons - mixing and shaking fresh and diverse cocktails while simultaneously prepping signature house dishes like melt-in-your-mouth, thinly sliced roast beef, bruschetta overflowing with vine-ripened tomatoes and perfectly spritely and lemony green beans served in a kraft paper cone (keeping with Eyal Shani's bare-bones place settings - there are no utensils, plates or silverware to speak of).
Photos by Ariel Efron, Ben Palhov and Yuval Ezrati
At the entrance, live music and djs take to rotating sets, creating an upbeat, yet humbly cool atmosphere - the exact kind of local vibe that Tel Aviv has progressively cultivated and become known for abroad. This is a bar, guys, but literally, the food is as good as any local chef restaurant and the sheer fun of the place, where everyone is up for a great night out and the waitstaff is more than happy to fill up that round of complementary chasers - well that is just pure Israeli hospitality at its best.