| 
King David resident manager Gideon Avrami
and executive chef Avi Steinitz supervise the
Israeli portion of
Photo by Tim Boxer
| AT THE PLAZA IN NEW YORK
Jerusalem’s Majestic King David
Kicks off Magnificent Food Festival By TIM BOXER  ING 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. | 2001 Great Hotels
at The Plaza
Food Festival | | Cuisine | Visiting Hotel | Dates | | Israeli | King David, Jerusalem | January 22-31 | | Moroccan | La Mamounia, Marrakech | February 26-
March 8 | | Turkish | Ciragan Palace Kempinski,
Istanbul | March 19-28 | | Russian | Grand Hotel Europe Kempinski,
St. Petersburg | April 23-May 3 | | Argentinean | Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires | May 15-25 | | Brazilian | Copacabana Palace,
Rio de Janeiro | June 4-14 | | Austrian | Hotel Sacher, Vienna | July 16-23 | | German | Kempinski Hotel Atlantic,
Hamburg | August 13-23 | | Tea for Two | The Ritz, London | September 1-10 | | “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. | 
Gary Schweikert, Plaza general manager,
welcomes Irith Federman of the family that
owns the Dan Hotel chain in Israel, which
includes the King David.
Photo by Shahar Azran
| “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. |
