Culinary escapism in times of war: Bethlehem introduces a new menu

1. The Bread at Bethlehem

At Bethlehem, the artisanal bakery near Ichilov, you'll find a rich African bread baked with rye, whole wheat, spelt, oats, and silan, giving it a unique, sweet taste. The bakery also offers carrot and beetroot breads, along with classic pastries like the French kouign-amann and nostalgic date roll. Recently renovated with new ownership, the bakery now offers a new menu that includes a variety of breads, pastries across different categories, desserts, and deli products, all prepared and baked on-site.

The bakery is now managed by partners Assaf Arda and pastry chef Tzach Shkroka, who have successfully led the boutique bakery The Little Bakers in Nahalat Yitzhak for the past decade. Bethlehem stands out among local offerings with its large kitchen, allowing for diverse on-site baking, ample space for traditional handmade items, and innovative baking with state-of-the-art equipment. The renovation also expanded the bakery to include outdoor seating, where customers can enjoy their bread, sandwiches, or pastries with coffee and a variety of drinks.

Bethlehem, 20 Weizmann St., Tel Aviv, 03-6095566 (kosher, without certification)

2. The Milkshake at Pony Café

The pop-up café at Dizengoff Center, MY LITTLE PONY CAFÉ, is an explosion of color, extravagance, and... yes, it's undeniably delicious. After successful runs in China, Japan, and Singapore, these vibrant, rainbow-colored, calorie-packed desserts have arrived in Tel Aviv. The menu features Belgian waffles, donuts, milkshakes, madeleines, and plenty of whipped cream and cotton candy. The dishes are especially lively if you're a 12-year-old with an active TikTok profile.

The café, which will operate until the end of August, immerses visitors in the wonderland of the famous My Little Pony characters from the children's TV series, inspired by the magical world of Equestria. The menu is inspired by the series, with dishes named after characters and themes, all designed to be Instagram-worthy desserts and colorful shakes (NIS 22-72). Visitors will also enjoy displays of characters from the series, selfie stations, coloring stations, interactive activities, souvenirs for purchase, and a quiz with a particularly valuable prize.

Entry to the café is free (reservations recommended via ONTOPO), all dishes are kosher.

3. The Chocolate from "Shikulo Tov"

Behind the sweet chocolate packages on the TNX website lies a heartwarming story. At the Korinet Be’er Sheva factory, part of the Shekulo Tov group, individuals facing mental health challenges arrive each morning. Due to physical and mental difficulties, they struggle to integrate into the job market. Shortened shifts, transportation to and from the factory, and a mentor who guides the rehabilitation process help participants simulate the work environment with the goal of integrating into the free job market after training at the factory.

G., a 55-year-old from Be’er Sheva who has been dealing with mental health challenges for 27 years and is undergoing rehabilitation at the factory, shares: "I have been living in supported housing within a rehabilitative community for 12 years and have been in vocational training at the chocolate factory. In recent years, after the training I received, I manage to work part-time in the free job market and return to the factory for the remaining days. Currently, I mentor new participants in everything related to the chocolate production process in the production room. The process includes melting various types of chocolate solids and creating different mixtures according to a recipe. After production, I am also responsible for packaging the chocolate. Recently, I also joined the factory's visitor center: we hold social workshops for chocolate creation that encourage open, shared discussions and break down stigmas between participants and the visitors who come to the workshops."

Available on tnx.co.il by Shekulo Tov and at network kiosks within the community nationwide (kosher).

4. The Oreo Dessert from Keshet Te'amim

At first glance, the new desserts from Keshet Te'amim might seem like typical supermarket pastries—and not in a good way. However, after taking them out of the box, placing them on a white plate, and warming them slightly in the microwave, you get a dessert you'd easily pay 50 shekels for. Here, at this supermarket chain, four pieces cost 30 shekels.

Four flavors are available, some better than others: baked cake on an Oreo cookie base with cheesecake cream and a top layer of Oreo cookies; baked cheesecake on a chocolate biscuit base with a soft cheesecake layer and a topping of Toblerone chocolate; a French dessert combined with Milka chocolate, which melts and oozes from the pastry; and baked cake on a Daim chocolate base with a cheesecake cream layer and a topping of Daim chocolate, followed by another layer of creamy chocolate. We licked our fingers clean.

NIS 30, available at Keshet Te'amim (non-kosher).