Conversations

Philly's Zahav Defines Israeli Cuisine in America

Philly's Zahav Defines Israeli Cuisine in America

by | Aug 7, 2014 |

An unsurpassed review of Zahav in Eater (see below). I was introduced to Michael Solomonov, who I took to Israel to be the chef/guide of my film The Search for Israeli Cuisine, by Lior Sercarz, the master spice blender of La Boite in New York’s way westside. He told me that if I wanted to eat the best Israeli cuisine in America, I must go to Zahav. Bill Addison, the Eater writer in search of the best restaurants in American certainly backs Lior up, as he eloquently writes below. It took just fifteen minutes sitting with Mike and I knew he was my guy. He’s knowledgeable, insightful, funny, and self-deprecating. And, his food is off the charts. He was a pleasure to work with – 20+ days shooting together at over 100 locations all over Israel – and we still love each other!

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Am I Israeli or American?

by | Jul 23, 2014 |

Mike Solomonov, as you know if you read our Facebook posts, is the chef/guide for our film. Every week during our four week shoot, I talked to him one-to-one about his experiences. Mike was born in Israel, grew up in Pittsburgh, and has lived in Israel on and off throughout his life. His brother David was killed by a sniper’s bullet while serving in the Army. It was his last weekend before being released. The traumatic event is part of the reason Mike opened Zahav, cooking his interpretation of Israeli food in Philadelphia.

“You know, identity is a really funny thing. I don’t feel that American when I’m in the States and I definitely don’t feel Israeli when I’m here. I enjoy and appreciate Judaism and my faith is constantly being reevaluated by many different things, by many different factors. When I was here at my brother’s funeral I felt Jewish. When I’m in the States and an Israeli comes into the restaurant and says, “This reminds me of my childhood, or I’m Yemenite and or Persian and I grew up eating these flavors, or this hummus is like one of the better hummuses that I’ve had,” I guess I feel a little Israeli then too.”

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The American Brew documentary

The American Brew documentary

by | Jul 2, 2014 |

Did you know the Pilgrims were not supposed to land at Plymouth rock? Why did early German brewers end up in the mid-West? See craft brewers making designer brews like Dick Cantwell’s jasmine IPA at Elysian in Seattle. Hear Fritz Maytag talk about starting Anchor Steam in San Francisco and Ken Grossman’s story of buying used dairy machinery to get going as a home brewer that became Sierra Nevada. Vinnie Cirluzo shows his oaky chardonnay barrels at Russian River, and Garett Oliver takes viewers on a tour of his Brooklyn Brewery. Legendary journalist Michael Jordan pontificates about all aspects of beer brewing, drinking, the business. Visit the big three breweries Anheuser Busch, Miller and Coors. It’s an action packed, informative, entertaining hour.

“To understand America, one must know beer not baseball The American Brew explains with wit and insight our infatuation with beer in it’s infinite variety.” Dick Krek, The Denver Post

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