The Eucalyptus — Restaurant in Jerusalem

We were hosting an event here so unfortunately I do not have any photos yet although I may update it later.

However, the short story is come for the the superb food and the exceptional service.

In more detail, communications prior to the event were very good and explanations were detailed. Our requirements for special dietary requirements were given specific attention (coeliacs, vegetarians and vegans were in the party). We were very happy with the level of care on what Eucalyptus could provide keeping everybody happy (and safe).

Our planned lunch time start was delayed by almost 45 minutes but the restaurant allowed us to continue the lunch past the time we had booked to allow us all to eat, drink and celebrate without feeling rushed.

I suppose I will start with the front of house, Iskas. From the moment of arrival to departure, this man was just incredible. We have dined and travelled around the world and the warm, friendly, efficient level of service that he specifically (and his team in general) provided make a potentially stressful situation a joyous celebration. He truly needs to be highlighted and commended and we believe he has been the best front of house we have ever met.

Onto the food. Upon arrival, little salads and canapes were on each table with our wines and soft drinks. We had the Shir Hashirim menu and everything was cooked, spiced and served well. Within this veritable feast, the zucchini (courgettes), smoked eggplant, duck pastilla and Assado short ribs were standouts.

The malabi and basbusa desserts were sublime.

Overall, the atmosphere, the service, the food all merged to provide the most amazing experience. Afterwards, the Chef Moshe Basson came for a chat and and he was a delightful character.

Whilst it wasn't cheap, we actually all felt it provided great value for money and we cannot thank everyone enough...Michal for making us feel that we were in safe hands right from the beginning, Moshe for the wonderful food, the waiting staff for the great service and especially, most specifically Iskas for being undoubtedly the best front of house we have ever met and making the event...

Once such place is The Eucalyptus, located just outside the ancient walls of Jerusalem and close to the Jaffa Gate. Executive Chef Moshe Basson, with family connections in the Veneto area of Italy, is co-owner with his son Ronny. Whilst there is an a’la carte section to the menu, they major on a range of different tasting menus which offer a great opportunity to discover the flavours and textures of the local cuisine. It’s a Kosher restaurant for sure but it cuts across cultural boundaries to create some amazing looking and tasting dishes. The tasting menus each have names such as Queen of Sheba or King Solomon without any indication of which dishes are included, or even how many there will be. The difference in price for each option indicates the difference in the number of courses that will be served. It’s not cheap (nowhere in Jerusalem seemed to be) but it is good.

We were assured that when we came to the end of the meal they would ask us if we were still hungry and if we wanted more, and sure enough, after more courses than I could count or remember the offer came to repeat any of them if we wanted to. The answer was no, simply on the grounds of lack of capacity to eat another morsel!

One negative aspect of the restaurant related to the service, which was otherwise very good and is something that seems to happen more and more these days. Gins and tonic were ordered to sip while the menu was perused but took so long to arrive that by the time they were brought to the table, not only had we ordered and received the wine but the first course had arrived too. This is annoying and does nothing to get the evening off to a relaxing start. They’re forgiven though because of the great food which was brought in an endless procession to the table. I made no effort to interrupt my eating to take notes of what the dishes consisted of or what they were called but I did manage to take a few snaps of some of...

Their tasting menus are the perfect way to experience all that the Eucalyptus has to offer. They combine their most famous and celebrated dishes with daily specials created by staff, that change according to finest seasonal ingredients available on the market. Price is per diner, menu is served family style. Ordering Tasting Menu after 9:00pm should be coordinated in advance.

The menu includes an array of traditional soups, which you can sample in tiny espresso cups; local appetizers, such as stuffed sage leaves and figs stuffed with chicken in tamarind sauce (a favorite, and quite filling); or highly recommended medleys of small tapas-style salads and spreads. Main courses include such specialties as ingria, a sweet-and-sour meat and eggplant casserole, and malouba, a chicken/rice casserole served with great ceremony. When Moshe is present, he loves to explain the ingredients and preparation of his dishes, and hearing him do so is one of the delights of dining here. Traditional desserts (interesting but not lavish) are on offer, and sometimes complimentary samples of local arak (licorice liquor) are available. There’s indoor and outdoor seating.

Grab a seat on the outside porch, adjacent to the Old City walls on one side and overlooking the picturesque Hutzot Hayotzer artists colony on the other. The appetizers are all tasty, but try the crepelike pastilla filled with duck confit and pumpkin jam, or the extraordinary stuffed mallow leaves (instead of the more conventional grape leaves). Two exquisite mains include traditional makloubeh with chicken and rice, and the clay-baked lamb with okra. Vegetarians will also find plenty of options, and there are a few tasting menus if you want to try it all. Finish with unusual desserts and herbal tea. If you're in the mood, ask Basson to share some of his culinary lore. Reservations...