Michal Ansky’s Shuk Tzafon (North Market) just opened its gates for a run-in period and we had to check it out. The market is located in Ramat Hachayal area of Tel Aviv and is spread across 1600 square meters packed with 15 food stalls and 15 specialty shops. It follows the trend of food courts in recent years, such as Sarona Market and Shuk Namal (Harbor Market). Unlike the latter two, it is aimed towards a different crowd – residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and the hi-tech workers from close-by offices.

    

To make a long story short – many of the anticipated establishments (such as Ben Neriah’s Miazaki) are yet to be opened, so I would advise to wait a bit longer until Shuk Tzafon is fully operational. But since we made it this far we could not leave on an empty stomach. We grabbed some Orange and Carrot Juice (15₪\$3.7) from Juisso, a cold-pressed juice bar opened by the chef and food journalist Ruthie Rousso. Unsurprisingly it tasted like freshly squeezed orange and carrot juice.

Next we had to try out the interesting concept of Halita’tea – a tea bar that serves unique infusions with whimsical names like Scandalous, Winter is Coming and Naughty Fig. A small mug ranges from 14₪\$3.5 to 17₪\$4.3 while a large mug is priced 21₪\$5.3-25₪\$6.3.

  

You can also find 4 types of “Perfectly Cooked Masala Chai” and a few “Cold Teas by Mr. Tea” on the menu. Halita’tea also serve a variety of cookies and sweets.

We were offered to smell some of their unique blends and decided to go for Smores which is described as “a blend that is entirely an adventure. Black tea leaves mixed with Oolong tea leaves, white tea, cocoa shells, nutmeg, Marigolds, pomegranate and more fun surprises wait for you inside the mug. A surprisingly comforting and indulging winter beverage”.

We also ordered blueberry pate de fruit (fruit marmalade) which costs 5₪\$1.3.

We really dug the concept and the staff was very nice, not to mention knowledgeable on the subject of tea in general. For example, we learned that bubble tea is starting to be phased out in many countries due to health related legislation (which made us a bit sad).

We could see ourselves going back here on a wintery afternoon for something hot and comforting to sip. Unlike some alcoholic bars which cater to people old of age and young of heart, Halita’tea caters people young of ages and old of heart.

Since most of the food stalls were still closed, we settled for taste of eggplant pizza from Pronto Kiosko, David Frenkel’s upcoming affordable pizza joint. They weren’t open yet but served some free pizza samples to the market visitors.

Eventually we found ourselves in Eyal Shani’s Miznon, a high-end pita bread joint with low-brow attitude. We had the steak and eggs, which was not as good as usual.

 

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