Small indulgences, big indulgences: Caviar, McDonald's, whisky, Dubai chocolate

Caviar and Bottarga - Agat&D

We begin, as expected, at the top: Israel’s long-standing wine and alcohol importer is now expanding its premium food offerings with luxury imports from Germany and Italy.

The Berlin-based company Lemberg has introduced three standout products: 250g tins of salmon roe (NIS 109), 100g tins of trout roe (NIS 49), and, of course, sturgeon caviar, in 100g tins (NIS 420).

These delicacies are pure luxury, worthy of the hype. True indulgence fit for a special occasion – or simply for an extravagant Saturday brunch. The salty fish roe has a texture that strikes a perfect balance between crunchy and creamy. While it may be an acquired taste, it’s one easily acquired within seconds, especially when paired with a thick slice of challah, a generous layer of butter, and these rich toppings.

The experience is further elevated by another Italian delicacy, bottarga from Mr. Morris (NIS 99 for 125g), a dried mullet roe, essentially its ovaries, reduced and concentrated to evoke the essence of the sea. Grated over an indulgent omelet, sliced thin over pasta, or enjoyed with challah and butter, it's a dish that needs no embellishment.

Dubai Chocolate - Sweetime

The Sweetime candy chain is celebrating five years of its Azrieli branch and is riding the wave of the hottest viral indulgence: Dubai chocolate. And rightly so.

This intentionally over-the-top global trend, known for its steep price (starting at hundreds of shekels), features a creamy-crunchy combination of pistachio cream and kadayif pastry threads, packed with rich ingredients and aspirations. Once a complicated import, it is now available at Sweetime in a version that’s as good as the original, if not better.

The local launch includes three variations, all produced in Israel: milk chocolate with pistachio cream and kadayif, milk chocolate with salty pretzels and caramel, and white chocolate with Bueno cream. These options offer a sweet, decadent experience that could almost be considered a meal. The thick slabs hide delightful surprises, and they come with the guarantee of sticky fingers and a happy mess. Price: NIS 69 for a 150g bar.

Rib Entrecôte Crunch Royal - McDonald's

The fast-food giant is expanding its premium collection with a new texture-rich indulgence.

Introducing the Rib Entrecôte Crunch Royal: a relatively thick 200g patty paired with a new sauce, Crunch Royal, and topped with fried onion bits.

The burger is impressively large and remains surprisingly juicy, even in the bustling atmosphere of a fast-food chain. The sauce adds bold, strong flavors, while the crispy onion bits add a light crunch. It’s an excellent addition to McDonald's lineup, offering more tempting options when standing in front of the kiosk. Price: NIS 58 for the Rib Entrecôte meal with fries and a drink in-store, NIS 67 for delivery.

Alcohol Collection - Zer4U

The natural expansion of the flower and gift chain Zer4U continues to gain momentum with the introduction of prestigious alcohol brands.

New imports from the renowned Irish brands Clonakilty and Blackwater are now available, enhancing Zer4U’s offerings to cater to local wine enthusiasts.

Clonakilty, founded less than a decade ago, is known for its environmental sustainability and premium bottles. The collection includes single malt whiskey (NIS 159), a double oak version aged in American and European oak barrels (NIS 239), and a port-infused whiskey (NIS 239). Additionally, Clonakilty offers smooth grain-free vodka (NIS 119) and herb-infused gin (NIS 159).

Blackwater, named after the river it sits on, adds to the variety with Velvet Cap lightly smoked single malt whiskey (NIS 249), Velvet Cap whiskey aged five years in Bordeaux wine barrels (NIS 249), and Velvet Cap Triple whiskey aged in bourbon, port, and rye barrels (NIS 115). The collection also includes two types of gin—classic, based on Blackwater’s river plants (NIS 149), and strawberry-infused gin (NIS 149).

Sugar-Free Peanut Butter - Skippy

A staple on the spreads shelf expands its range with a sugar-free version, appealing to athletes and health-conscious consumers.

But let’s be clear, it’s still peanut butter, and a calorie trap at that. So, you might want to keep an eye on how frequently that spoon moves between your mouth and the open jar (now 340g instead of the familiar 454g jars) on the kitchen table.

Skippy’s reputation speaks for itself, with a smooth texture and distinct flavor (97.5% roasted peanuts). It’s still very much the sweet-salty craving you know, albeit in a sugar-free format.

Organic Legumes - Tvuot

One of the most important aisles in the supermarket gets an Italian upgrade thanks to the local food company.

The organic series from Valle Del Cilento offers convenient ready-to-eat legume boxes (390g, NIS 9.90), available in four varieties: lima beans, red beans, white beans, black beans, and chickpeas. These legumes are free from preservatives and artificial ingredients.

The quality is excellent, offering many tasty and versatile kitchen options. The textures are perfectly al dente, the flavors impressively pronounced, and the shortcuts are wonderfully effective—whether in a long-cooked stew, a Mexican fiesta, a giant salad bowl, or a hummus ready to be blended.