AT THE PLAZA IN NEW YORK
Jerusalem’s Majestic King David
Kicks off Magnificent Food Festival
By TIM BOXER
KING DAVID of Jerusalem is the
first of nine celebrated hotels to participate in an international gourmet
festival at New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel. The Israeli menu will be
featured at both lunch and dinner until January 31, followed by fine foods
and wines from eight other nations until September.
Since, as King David resident
manager Gideon Avrami put it, “This is not the greatest time to for
tourism in Israel,” this is a prime opportunity for Americans to savor
the exotic tastes of the Holy Land in the comfort and luxury of the
Plaza’s Palm Court.
“Life goes on and the show goes
on,” Avrami said, as four colorfully clad dancers performed for the
dining guests on the opening day of the food festival.
But there is absolutely no reason
not to visit Israel yourself and experience first hand the superior menu
at the historic King David Hotel, under the keen guiding hand of its
executive chef, Avi Steinitz.
“There are thousands of
tourists in Jerusalem right now,” said Arie Sommer, Israel Commissioner
for Tourism, North America.
“They are visiting Masada, they
are strolling in Tel Aviv, they are exploring the Old City, and they are
having a great time.”
The new consul general in New
York, Alon Pincas, said that while he was a young student at Hebrew
University he worked for three years under Chef Steinitz at the King
David.
“I ate for free,” he said.
“I really enjoyed it.” The perks of diplomacy can’t get any better
than that!
At the premiere of the Israeli
showcase at The Plaza, I started with a gorgeous selection of Jerusalem
salads. Then came a plate of Mediterranean grouper with bell pepper
“chraine” and fava beans.
The third course consisted of
lamb chops with fig and shallot confit. Don’t ask about the various
desserts – they were as close to heaven on earth as only the King David
can create, thanks to executive chef Avi Steinitz and his staff of five
chefs.
During the course of the
festival, the King David menu includes such dishes as Cream of Jerusalem
Artichoke Soup with Negev Truffle Oil, and Grilled Sea Bream on a Concasse
of Artichokes, Olives and Tomatoes. For dessert you have a choice of
Quince and Shredded Phyllo Gateau with Apple Sorbet, and a Citrus Fruit
Soup with Granite of Red Pomegranate.
Mark your calendar to enjoy the
most excellent foods and wines on the planet from the world’s most
celebrated hotels at this year’s International Food and Wine Festival at
The Plaza’s Palm Court. The festival is co-sponsored by Cuisinart,
Rosenthal, and Frette. For a taste of the outstanding cuisine from these
world-class hotels, call The Plaza restaurant reservations department at
212 546-5200.
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