tamara klinger - על מסעדת שלו ביער 10/01/2015
I was looking for a restaurant to celebrate a birthday for a very special person and so I remembered a great meal I had at Shalev Bayaar in the past and decided to revisit this old time favorite.
Shalev Bayaar is located in a picturesque location on the edge of the town of Kiryat Tivon. It is surrounded by trees and has a very welcoming deck walkway and entrance. Last night was particularly cold and rainy and so opening the door to the restaurant and seeing the fireplace blazing was immediately comforting. The restaurant décor is simple, elegant and warm.
I had reserved a table earlier in the week and I highly recommend doing this so that you are not disappointed when the wait is long or there is just no room. It was still early in the evening and the restaurant was hosting a large group in the back room and just one other couple. I asked to sit directly by the fireplace and this was where we were seated.
The tablecloth was linen as were the napkins and the waitress light the tea candle directly after seating us. She also brought us a bottle of cold water and poured. We ordered wine by the glass and it arrived immediately, unfortunately in the wine glasses and without pouring from the bottle at our table.
So what did we eat?!
We ordered the shrimp and crab bisque to start along with homemade rolls that came with small dishes of garlic butter and a tomato pesto dips. The soup was creamy and delicious – really a good mix of flavors but not overpowering. The shrimp was lightly done on the grill and this added depth to the soup aroma. The homemade rolls were warm and fragrant and eating just one was very difficult.
Between the soup and the main course we were offered sorbet – beet & sage flavored with a beautiful pinky hue to it.
For the main course we ordered both of the specials; the mushroom risotto and the young beef fillet on a bed of polenta with beef gravy. The risotto was a perfectly creamy, fragrant and comforting – a great choice for vegetarians who won’t feel like they lack options. The beef was tender and beautifully prepared upon smooth polenta bathed in beef juices. We shared both mains and so we got the best of both worlds.
The food was outstanding and the service attentive and swift. We enjoyed every bite. The bill was as I expected and so there were no surprises – for a special occasion it is defiantly worth it.
All is all a great place to treat yourself and somebody you love. Free parking right outside.
