"We decided to start off with the broccoli and mozzarella kebabs. Served with caramelized onions and cream sauce, the dish was very tasty and had excellent texture… if Pituim's Pesach menu is even half as good as their regular one, than there really is a good reason to eat out this Passover." Yonatan Sternberg indulges in some pre-Passover dining at Pituim's new Mamilla location in Jerusalem.
This time I knew we were in for a treat. Pituim has established its name as one of the top kosher dairy restaurants and patisseries in Jerusalem. After completing her studies at Hadassah College in Jerusalem, Daphna flew off to London and participated in an advanced patisserie course at the prestigious culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu. At the age of 23 she decided to open “Pituim” offering the Jerusalem crowd a wide variety of fresh, tasty, and creative dishes.
The menu at Pituim features an impressive array of unique salads, homemade pastas, fish, quiches, delicious deserts and even a children’s menu. And with Pesach just around the corner it's important to note that not only is Pituim Mehadrin kosher, but they will be offering a special Pesach menu.
With a devout group of followers at the Emek Refaim location since it first opened its doors some nine years ago, Pastry Chef Dafna Baruch decided that it was time branch out and open a second restaurant situated in the upscale Mamila shopping complex.
We couldn’t help but notice that even though renovations are still underway in the mall, almost all of the tables were full. A mixture of tourists, families, young couples and local Jerusalemites were all leaning expectantly towards their tables, first admiring the dishes and only then digging in. It's not that all of the dishes are amazing; however it's evident that a lot of thought has been put in to every little detail, from the handmade colorful serving pieces to the perfect mint leaves chosen to decorate our smoothies.
Following our lovely waitresses recommendation we decided to start off with the broccoli and mozzarella kebabs. Served with caramelized onions and cream sauce, the dish was very tasty and had excellent texture. Our second starter included two deep fried cigars (something like a Moroccan spring roll) filled with pears in wine and Roquefort cheese. Roquefort and sweet pears are an excellent combination, the sweetness of the pear cuts through the sharpness of the cheese, rounding off the flavors. My only suggestion would be to add more Roquefort cheese since the dish was a little to sweet for such an early stage in the meal.
We also enjoyed the salmon fillet with an almond crust and a red wine, honey and mustard sauce with a side of crunchy fresh asparagus. The sweet potato mascarpone ravioli was cooked to perfection, and thought I found it a little too generous with the rich creamy sauce, it was over all a good dish.
Time for desert! Of course, all deserts are made fresh by Dafna and her staff. With room for only one dessert we went for the chocolate porcupine. Layers of chocolate mousse covered with uniform chocolate spike and vanilla berry cream on the side. We were utterly content.
If Pituim's Pesach menu is even half as good as their regular one, than there really is a good reason to eat out this Passover.
Passover cakes are also available for take-away.
Pituim
Sderot Elrov Mammila Mini Mall, 2nd floor, Jerusalem
Tel:02-5004006
