Tel Aviv Groove’s Authentic Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner at Nua Restaurant

(Gerry Furth-Sides) The Nua Restaurant Friday evening created by the Tel Aviv Groove series was billed as a “relaxed gourmet Kabbalat” Shabbat dinner.  Host chef Yoav Schverd, Israeli Chefs, Jonathan Sharvit and Danna Lee-Berman, created the menu and worked the kitchen.   Mastermind series creator, Orly Segal, added, “modern Israeli food, a happy atmosphere. And something else.”

The “something else” turned out to  all of the exuberance and the smarts and the dedication that I always equate with Tel Aviv. It was here, and so much more.  The full-bodied dishes brought the best of new Mediterranean cuisine, almost all of it served at room temperature as is the custom. The hotel may be the jet setter’s landing place when in town.  Still, the buzz of of families and diners of all ages sharing communal tables lasted well after sundown. . 

Chef Schverd together with Chefs Jonathan Sharvit and Danna Dee-Berman created the Tel Aviv-inspired edgy, innovative and colorful menu. It was fun to see Israeli Chef Cobi Bacar join them in the kitchen. He had cooked for us the night before at Savida (//see //localfoodeater.com/tel-aviv-groove-pop-ups-insider-experience-of-new-israeli-cuisine/

The kabbalat shabbat or “welcoming the Sabbath” follows the ancient tradition that precedes the holiday at sundown.  It is widely considered the most poetic and magical of all Jewish liturgy, The Kabbalat Shabbat service reflects Jewish history from biblical origins to the mystical age centered in Safed in the 16th and 17th centuries.

This distinct and separate service comes before arvit l’shabbat, the Sabbath eve or Friday evening service.  And so it begins just before sundown at the end of the day on Friday.  

Tel Aviv Pop Up creator and organizer, Orly Segal,  headed one of the communal tables. Chef Yoav’s wife, Tal, was also at the table.

 The restaurant and small bar inside the boutique Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills alone is worth the price of admission. Chef Yoav insisted on giving me a tour of the second floor photo gallery with all the George Holtz and terry O’Neill photographs.

Sommelier Efi Kotz paired Binyamina cocktails and wines for this and all the meals in the Los Angeles tour.  This broad experience with the Binyamina wines gave guests a vertical experience of learning about one winery’s wares paired with different foods.  Efi explained the significance of THE CHOSEN label, served this evening.

Kotz is the chief sommelier at the leading Lifestyle Hotel Mammilla, as well as in the prestigious David’s Citadel Hotel, both in Jerusalem.  His is in charge of the wine menu and wine pairing in the hotels’ trendy restaurants.

Considered a top expert in the subject of Israeli wines and wineries, Efi Kotz works tirelessly to advance them around the globe. Efi Kotz is also invited regularly to judge in wine competitions both in Israel and around the globe. He also created the two special cocktails.  He won us over with his Melrose Avenue “vintage find” cat shirt and it turns out that he has 12 rescue cats.

Nua, 403 N Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA  90210  located in the Crescent hotel, (310) 247-0430 //www.nuabeverlyhills.com/. Nua hours is open daily  8:00 AM to 11 PM