Reena and Vinod Pushkarna and their son, Kunal are doyon's of Indian food in Israel, having started their restaurant chain, Tandoori, 40 years ago. They were the first to introduce Indian food in Israel. Since the early 80's , a generation of Israelis "grew up on her" Chicken Tikka and for that reason she decided to emphasize "kids menus". In 2023 the government of the Republic of India awarded her an order of merit for services rendered. Today their chain has two restaurants, one located in Herbert Samuel, Tel Aviv with a mesmerizing seaview of the Mediterranean and the other located in Herzliya's industrial zone Mercazim building, an ideal venue for business lunches.
On Thursday, 31 October three of us experienced an unforgettable gastronomy enjoying lunch in their plush restaurant in Tel Aviv served by three professional waiters with extraordinary service skills, rarely encountered in Israel.
The service staff were exceptional in their gracious manner displaying patience, professionalism and an innate knowledge of the menu recommending dishes.
Tandoori the name of the restaurant, is a traditional Indian clay oven reaching a temperature of 600c and a hallmark of Punjabi cuisine where chicken, meat and fish are baked.
Our meal started with an assortment of four entrees which included Chicken Tamarind wings, Fish Taco Papad (small fish fillets of locus), Fish Pakado (fillets cooked and fried with chickpea flour batter) and Bhel Puri (fluffy rice flakes). It was accompanied by a selection of relishes presented in small bowls consisting of cilantro, mango ajar, coconut flakes, tamarind and fruit chutney.
The second course consisted of a selection of dumplings or dim dim, namely chicken, beef, vegetable and tofu.
This was followed by a selection of vegetables (broccoli and potato), Panner (Indian cottage cheese), grilled locus, fish pakora and lamb samosas.
Main courses were Seekh Kebab (grilled lamb in the clay oven), Tandoori Chicken (grilled in the clay oven) and Chicken Tikka (grilled cubes of chicken).
Exotic desserts offered on the menu are gulab jamun (homemade cheese dumplings, cardamon and aromatic syrup), Elaichi kheer (rice pudding cooked with milk, rosewater cardamom, saffron and pistachio), the all time Indian classic vegan sweet carrot halwa (grated carrots cooked with cardamom and aromatic spices served with a non dairy vanilla ice cream). Another exotic dessert featured is Zafrani kulfi which is made from pistachio ice cream, spices, falooda noodles and saffron.
From the large choice of deserts we decided to have the Gulab jamun (described in the the above paragraph) and the Western classic, Pavlova Mango (cream, meringue, almond, and ginger served with raspberry and mango coulis), this was conceptualized in Australia and New Zealand in the early 20th century named after the famed Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova when she toured these countries.
Drinks included Mango Lassi (a cool summer drink of liquidized mangoes, yogurt, milk, cream and ground cardamom) and Nimbu Pani (fresh lemon juice and water).
Unobtrusive Indian music was played amidst a cosmopolitan atmosphere patronized by guests from abroad staying in the surrounding luxury hotels as well as people working in Tel Aviv. The restaurant seats 160 guests and includes a circular bar providing additional seating where there is a drinks menu available of Indian cocktails with " Lunch Bowl Deals" that can be ordered, however only during the day.
.The sea view is unparalleled and contributes to the restaurant's elegant interior and aesthetics. Tandoori offers takeaways and is an excellent venue for family celebrations, business functions, romantic encounters and personal outings.
In Israel, Indian cuisine has become popular and in many localities almost a household necessity thus Tandoori offers "special lunch box" specials as well as "Thali specials" on Wolt and 10bis. For lunch Tandoori offers a set menu priced at 78 shekels, ideal for working people as it is light and filling. Starters include bowls served with a dish of choice consisting of either rice or quinoa followed by a main course of a choice of Beef Korma or Chicken Tikka Masala prepared in a clay oven.The set menu also includes "soup of the day", naan bread and dessert. For an additional price of 10 shekels a soft drink, draft beer or a glass of wine is available.
We are most thankful to Reena Pushkarna and her dedicated staff for a memorable gastronomic experience and promise to return, hopefully in the not too distant future.
TANDOORI - A REAL TASTE OF INDIA
Tandoori Events
Tandoori Delivery
Tandoori Events
Tandoori Delivery
TANDOORI Lands End adress : 76 Herbert Samuel, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Tel Aviv : Tel 03-6296185
Tandoori Herzliya: 32 Maskit St., Herzliya Tel 09-9546702
www.tandoori.co.il
Photos by Silvia G. Golan
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