Mataam Al-Taj (Jerusalem, Israel)

Arab Quarter of Old City of Jerusalem

 

Mataam Al-Taj (Restaurant of the Crown) is a small restaurant in market of Arab Quarter of Old City of Jerusalem. It serves mostly falafel and humus but also salads and drinks.

 

I get a falafel (ILS 15 or $4.25), which comes in a pita with various salad toppings and tahini and (extra) hot red sauce. The three big falafel balls are fresh and perfect (not too dry, not too mushy). Delicious!

 

VERDICT: 90/100

Some of the best falafel I ever had.

Zisalek (Jerusalem,ISR)

Tif’eret Israel St, Jerusalem, Israel

Zisalek is a chain of modern, US-style ice cream and waffles places in Israel. I visit the one in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, just off the Western Wall. It caters to (American) tourists and serves some 20 flavors, mostly traditional (US) style.

 

I get a cone with two scoops, which is weighed for price (ILS 17 or $4.80). The Pineapple is water-based but a bit dry. The Ferraro Rocher is smooth and tasty.

VERDICT: 81/100

Obviously, this is far too expensive, but it is pretty good.

Mercaz Hafalafel Hatemani (Jerusalem, ISR)

Ha-Nevi'im St 48, Jerusalem, Israel

 

Mercaz Hafalafel Hatemani is a very small hole-in-the-wall falafel place on a big street in downtown Jerusalem. I don’t even know whether they sell anything else. But even relatively early in the morning it is already quite busy – albeit mainly with men who seem to be there to talk to the owner.

 

I get a Pita Falafel, which might not look like much, but tastes delicious. I forgot how much I paid for it, but it wasn’t much, and the falafel was better than most I ate outside of Israel.

VERDICT: 86/100

Great place for an affordable and quick falafel-on-the-go.

Burger Saloon (Kadima Zoran, ISR)

Kadima Zoran, 6092000, Israel (at highway 4)

 

Burger Saloon is a US-style burger chain that has currently some ten locations in Israel. I visit a location next to a gas station on highway 4, close to Netanya. It serves a variety of burgers and topping as well as US sides.

I get the small Wild Burger (160gr) and add roasted peppers and pepper cream sauce. I also get a side of fries and a soda (altogether 75 ISS or $21). The burger comes in a big soft bun, the patty is perfectly prepared (medium), but the peppers make it a bit too sloppy. The pepper cream sauce is weak and not necessary, as they have all kind of sauces, seemingly imported from Belgium (like spicy Dallas sauce). The fries are prefab but crispy.

VERDICT: 87/100

Good chain for bit upscale burgers

Venchi (Fiumicino, I)

Aeroporto L. Da Vinci - Terminal 1, 00054 Fiumicino, Italy

 

Venchi is an “Italian gourmet chocolatier”, which also runs a shop in the fancy new E concourse of Rome’s Fiumicino airport. In addition to chocolates, they also sell crepes and ice cream - some 20 flavors, almost all chocolaty.

 

I get a Regular in a fancy cone, which is freshly prepared, and covered with caramel, chocolate, and some crusty sweetness (ca. $4). I pick two flavors, Malaga and some Nutella-type Noisette (Hazelnut). Both are really rich and absolutely delicious.

VERDICT: 94/100

As good as (chocolate) ice cream gets!

Blue Moon Brewhouse (Atlanta, GA)

6000 N Terminal Pkwy, B Concourse, Atlanta, GA 30320

The Blue Moon Brewhouse is linked to the Blue Moon Brewing Co., which serves pretty standard American fare: burgers, sandwiches, salads. I guess most people come here because of the beer, though.

 

I have the Coastal Fish Sandwich ($12), which is a good sized piece of tilapia, grilled, on a bun with lettuce, onion and tomato. Good, but would be really tasty with a Remoulade sauce. The fries are prefab and underwhelming.

 

VERDICT: 81/100

Pretty basic although fish itself was big and well prepared.

Chicken + Beer (C + B) (Atlanta, GA)

6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Gate D5, Atlanta, GA 30320

 

Chicken + Beer is the restaurant of Atlanta-based rapper Ludicrous, which now also has a location at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport. It serves Southern style fast food in upscale form and setting, including fried chicken and fish, burgers, and other staples.

 

I get the fried chicken sandwich, Hotlanta style ($12.99). It’s a relatively small piece of fried chicken breast, drenched in spicy hot sauce, with pickles on a brioche bun. The chicken is very tender and tastes good. The French fries are kind of Burger King style, not for me.

 

VERDICT: 86/100

Good food but not really special