Hatzot — Restaurant in Jerusalem

8.27.17 - REVIEW PURELY ON SERVICE. We did not eat the food here because we left after waiting 15-20 minutes without being serviced for anything. The hostess was great. She was nice, patient, and attentive in getting diners seated, but that's where everything stopped (for us at least).

We waited to be seated for 15 minutes and then sat for 15-20 minutes waiting for something to happen, but tables larger than ours (we were two) were seated after us and received drinks and had their order taken.

We decided to leave and we thanked the host for seating us, and she thanked us for dining with them, but when we told her we never got water she was shocked and immediately asked if they could make it up to us. Unfortunately, when I decide to walk away it's not a pity game. The hostess got the attention of one of the owners and he quickly moved to see what happened to our table. He gestured to his brother (we believe), who my wife made eye contact a few times, and who hovered around our table, but it was to check on the larger table. He seemed to be the one on duty that night.

The first brother was extremely surprised and apologetic and did not want us to leave feeling slighted, neither did the hostess. His brother came over and looked befuddled, but did nothing more. It seemed like he didn't care.

Hatzol was recommended by our hotel who genuinely thought the food was authentic and not overhyped, which I believe is true. However, having worked in the restaurant service industry to pay for school, which required a lot of hustle, I was turned off completely and the dining experience was soured before any food was put on the table.

I gave two stars instead of one because I don't know what the food was like. As an owner you should always wonder why the menu is still on the table and why your customers are looking around and looking clueless after making eye contact with then a few times. Maybe the other brother was tired or took for granted how busy his restaurant was. Ultimately it's too bad for me and my wife.

Oddly, we walked by Hatzol the night before, but we already committed to another place.

We ended up eating at Homatzi instead, another hotel rec. Pretty good and they have their own version of grilled...

Salatim nice as well as rhe pitot. And Hummus with mushrooms. Fried cauliflower also good, allbeit a touch too much salt, but not too much over..

Goose liver was nice, although I like mine a liltlle more al aish.

Steaks were not my style but then again most places here don't make like I like it. The others at the table wanted and they were out of Filet.

Ordered some soups, but they never came to the table, luckily I noticed they came to the bill, but were promptly taken off.

Yerushalmi merav, what they're infamous for was ok. I found rhe chicken breast a little too on the dry side.

Chips (fries) were a bit bland, and reminiscent of what you have the falafel and/or shwarma guy stuff into you laffa at the end - who am I kidding, the falafel guy's better, lol.

Rice and beans, as well as Madjera rice was nice.

Lamb "ribs" was kind of a let down. Must gave been a very small lamb, lol

Desserts: crème brûlée, bit too sweet top for my liking, but custard inside was ok.

Hoy chocolate cake with ice cream, such a classic, not too bad, better then I expected, as I don't tend to expect too much. Totally forgot Golda's was across the street with parve gelato(?).

Servers were nice and helpful. One was really trying with his English, I think he did a great job, although was nice to have a back-up ;)

I prob wouldn't go back bc its not really my style. Only went bc my friends chose it. Maybe if I got something wise like Pargiot that would be better for me. Or maybe when they're not out of the dishes I want.

Also the Lemonade was good, not too sweet and not too tart. Table didn't want it with nana (ie mint).

Ps. Sorry I didn't take so many pics this time.

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We visited this old restaurant on Agripas Street near the entrance to Mahane Yehuda Market, known since the 1970s for its “Jerusalem Mixed Grill.” Four of us sat down, and the table was quickly filled with salads, mezze, and laffa bread. We each ordered the house specialty – the Jerusalem Mixed Grill.

Unfortunately, the dish was a big disappointment. The portion was very small, the meat was extremely dry, and none of us enjoyed it (all four agreed, so it wasn’t a matter of taste). The plate was just a pita with 3–4 spoons of meat on top – far from a proper main dish.

Then came the bill: 538 NIS before tip for 4 mains, 2 beers, and 2 Cokes. That’s about 150 NIS per person for a tiny, dry portion – absolutely unreasonable.

Service was also poor: waitresses avoided eye contact and didn’t check on us, so we had to chase after them for anything.

In the past, I had tried their takeaway pita from the window, which was tasty and much more reasonable. But now, with prices of ~80+ NIS even for a pita with fries and a drink, the value is...