Nagila Vegan Restaurant

About

When Gila Foldes's young daughter had her Bat Mitzvah, she and her older daughter, Hannah, decided to prepare the food themselves. They received so many compliments, another friend asked them to do the food for her Bat Mitzvah. This gave them the idea to do something serious with food. The result was the opening of Nagila (Let's Be Happy) last April. Nagila is located off Agrippas, in the alley between Agrippas and Jaffa Road, below the alley after Maccabi pharmacy. Walk down a few stone steps with a stone bannister to hold and you are facing a glass front with picture windows on each side. Stepping onto the tile floors, you feel immediately the atmosphere of a very old stone house with typical Middle Eastern arches. Pictures on the walls feature a local artist, change to another artist at least once a month, and are for sale. Wood tables, covered in checked tablecloths, seat 22, but for an event, this room will seat 45. At the back are two handsome bars with flower arrangements in the middle and fresh fruit and vegetables--one made from oak seats six at bar stools; the other bar is made from eycalyptus--both hand-made by Gila's husband with wood from the Golan Heights. A smaller bar to the left, also wood, is a work station for the wait staff; the kitchen is in the back. Gila's daughter, Hannah, who says she has liked to cook since she was a little girl, is the cook. We did not try the breakfasts, but it is available in two sizes (NIS45/NIS80) with a choice of eggs, omelet or shakshuka as well as the usual salads, dips, bread and beverages. Also, on the menu, with the breakfast listings are four sandwiches (NIS28 to 32 NIS); and three pastries (NIS 38) served with salad and yogurt/tchina. Fresh juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea are also available. On the main menu, under appetizers are--soup in two sizes (NIS18/NIS25); meze (NIS 20) and grilled eggplant (NIS22). Hannah started us off with her home-made, whole-wheat bread. which is vegan and contains no eggs, made