Medita

About

by Sybil Kaplan Photographs by Barry A. Kaplan Derech Hebron 101 Phone -- 02 566-4466 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. (for Business Lunch); 5 p.m. -- 11 p.m. for dinner; Friday day and Saturday evening - closed but plan to open in the future Kashrut - Rabbanut Yerushalayim If you are looking for a great place to eat Mediterranean/Israeli gourmet food, a nice atmosphere, outstanding service, an easy place to park and an all-around nice dining experience that won't stretch your budget, look no further. Take the expertise of the high-end, meat restaurant, Ha Chatzer, make its chef Motti Ohana (graduate of Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, over 13 years experience in the field of gastronomy) co-owner with Moshe Cohen and now chef of Medita, and you have the answer. Add the knowledge and friendliness of manager, Johanna Allia, and sit back and enjoy. Medita (short for Mediterranean) opened in June 2014 with a contemporary, glassed-in décor. After coming through the glass entryway, the open, very clean-cut, organized kitchen is to the right side, with a large taboon (oven) extending from the kitchen through to the bar area. There are 12 places on bar stools at the bar and seating for 12 at tables opposite. A little further back, a serving station bisects the main dining room which can seat 80. Beyond is the glass wall to a private room which can seat up to 100. Black and natural wood tables with black chairs are used throughout. The menu is unique. Chef Motti Ohana intentionally did not divide it into sections so everyone at a table would share and taste a number of different foods. Technically there are 13 appetizers, 3 fish, 3 poultry, 7 others with meat and a daily "Specials" menu. There is also an extensive separate beverage menu with liquors, liqueurs, wines, cocktails and some soft drinks. For NIS 180 each, members at a table can experience a "tasting menu"--focaccia and dips, 4-5 kinds of fish, 4-5 kinds of meat, stew, a platter of meats and dessert