The new bar in Dizengoff that looks down on you all

Whether we like it or not, Dizengoff Street has been the crowned king of the city’s bar scene for years: not the sophisticated bars of Nachalat Binyamin nor the hipster spots of Allenby and Florentine, but mainly places that appeal to a young crowd and a beer-hungry crowd. On this homogenous background looks out from above Rudy, a new and elegant rooftop bar. Roodie (so originally) is the brainchild of Dan Goldschmidt, the owners of the Genia bar in Dizingoff, and Zvika Strauss, the chef of the Social Club. In cooperation with the owners of the Mayer House boutique hotel that opened about six months ago, they took over the roof and established a gastro bar with a spectacular urban view. Dizengoff Square and the illuminated skyline of Tel Aviv at night raise the question of why the concept is not more prevalent, as in other cities in the world.

European, classic, local. Rudy (photo by Dan Goldschmidt)

“Rudi’s is located in the center of Tel Aviv, but it doesn’t broadcast a ‘party’,” explains Strauss, “It’s not a chef’s restaurant or another Israeli-Mediterranean cuisine, but a place to hang out with dishes to share that change frequently, depending on the ingredients I manage to get.” In a small kitchen at the back of the bar, he prepares pasta, catches fish and produces all the components of the small-medium sized dishes served. In the “Small things near the bread” section, you will find fish tartare, pickled plamid and spicy sardines (NIS 31-42). The “Food Food” department offers, for example, two slices of toasted baguette topped with a classic beef tartare and baked garlic aioli (NIS 52), asparagus on Cauliflower cream with brown butter and hazelnut pieces (54 NIS), shrimp with roasted cherry tomatoes and Turkish spinach in a white wine sauce (76 NIS), leek and ricotta ravioli in tomato butter and asparagus (52/88 NIS) and lamb cooked for 6 hours Next to tzatziki and amba tahini with homemade lapa (NIS 78). The flavors are aimed at classic European cuisine, as expected from someone who was educated on the knees of Shiloh and Toto, and they remind the super temporary menu at Social Club. Goldschmidt, who is also a Shiloh graduate, trusts the hospitality and the development of the place. To the question of whether it is possible to enter the pool, he replies in the negative (not that we expected a different answer, with the licensing issues in the city) and as compensation presents another roof terrace, with an even more beautiful view, which will be used for events next summer.

Asparagus on cauliflower cream. Rudy (photo by Dan Goldschmidt)

The alcohol menu that accompanies the food consists of wines from Israel and the world at a reasonable price that starts at about NIS 30 per glass. Cocktails, on the other hand, are priced according to the highest standard in the city. For example: Tikka Mezcalita with a sour-smoky flavor – mezcal infused in curry and turmeric with Cointreau and lime (58 NIS), Smugglers’ Cup based on Bacardi, coffee and Angostura (62 NIS) and Gin&Tea from gin infused with bergamot and Earl Gray with sage syrup (64 NIS). And yet, despite the “high” feeling, one can leave a rowdy night with both kidneys in place: simply share two or three dishes and a glass of wine, breathe the mountain air and envy the people who live in the heights of Tel Aviv and this is their permanent view.
Dizengoff 98, Tel Aviv, Monday-Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. (opening hours are limited)