Home Sweet Home
Last Night my partner took me to a spiritual experience in the middle of Tel Aviv. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find something like this here but lo and behold there it was.
Newly opened in the Sarona market, the Whisky Bar and Museum boasts over 1000 different whiskys for sale. Of course this was one of my dreams, to open this place in Tel Aviv but I do not begrudge the owners, Gaviriel and Ran as they have done a magnificent job ( of course we became acquainted)
Stacked floor to ceiling the length of the establishment , the bottles glistened in the light, but I digress. WBM is not only one of the best whisky bars I have ever been to, it is Kosher as well. They are closed shabbat and use what is known as Hashgacha Pratit . This is a group of respected rabbis giving kosher certification outside the authority of the rabbanut. Of course this makes me like the place even more but you should consult your own rabbi first ( suave disclaimer) . That is how they get around the non-existent sherry cask issue as well.The food is good and the steak I had was very good. That said the service is spotty which I am sure will get better.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable and appreciated my understanding of spirits as well ( with a free appetizer and desert) . I totally ignored my hosts as I first went through the extensive drink menu and continued to do so as I spoke to all the whisky mavens who work there. It was a glorious evening and I can not wait to go back ( I promised to bring some of my own stash) . To top it all off, Ran told me I can bring in my whole collection to Israel and it will only be taxed at a flat 30 NIS ( $8 USD at today's rate) per bottle. Great News!!
Although I really don't drink at all anymore ( my wife had 4 shots) I told them that this is the type of place that will make me miss NYC even less . All that is missing is my friends.
Can't wait for you to get here.