Modern Telavivian flavors from Chef Sam Gorenstein and Pura Vida Miami founder Omer Horev

Abba Telavivian Kitchen, a new restaurant from hospitality entrepreneurs Omer Horev and Sam Gorenstein, just opened in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. Bringing the flavors and spices of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine to Miami has been a long-held dream for both, and it is only fitting that they should open Abba in the neighborhood where both got their start as restaurateurs. Located at 864 Commerce Street, the cozy café seats about 50 between small bistro tables indoors and a welcoming terrace fitted with comfortable pillow-laden banquettes.  The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch, with dinner planned for the future, as well as a sunset menu featuring nisnushim (snacks), coffee and tea, wines from boutique producers from the region with a focus on Israeli wines, and craft beers.  With dishes perfect for sharing, diners can make a meal of a number of nisnushim, salatim, salads, pastries, and burekas as well as entrée sized plates, pitas, and Jerusalem bagels.

Fresh vegetables – a source of pride for Israelis whose successful agricultural system is considered a miracle in the desert – are showcased.  The menu is loaded with locally grown and carefully sourced vegetable and fish options, making it a natural destination for pescatarian and vegetarian diners.  Lunch is offered from 11:30 AM to 4 PM with a variety of fresh, flavorful options.   Salatim (“little salads”) includes a selection of pickled vegetables; Shuk salad – tomato, cucumber, onion, sumac, and herbs; Citrus Marinated Olives; Matbucha – fire-roasted peppers, tomatoes, and Aleppo pepper; and Labneh (Israeli yogurt), among other small plates.  Lunch also includes beautifully composed salads such as the classic Fattoush; an Israeli Kale “Caesar” with shredded kale and romaine lettuce, crumbled feta, pistachios, radish, crunchy pita, and green tahini; and Sabich – fire-roasted eggplant with shuk salad, hard-boiled egg, radish, sumac, and tahini dressing.  There are pitas stuffed with falafel and lamb kofta and Jerusalem bagels (longer and skinnier than their American cousin) – served open face and topped with avocado, egg, and feta cheese as well as hummus, arugula, tomato, and tahini.

A sunset menu with a limited selection of snacks and drinks is available for those who want to linger from 4 PM– 7 PM. Abba will offer beer and wine, with a list of boutique wines that are carefully curated and accessibly priced. According to Gorenstein, they are wines that he and Horev like to drink, including a number of Israeli wines, and he’s excited to share these discoveries with diners.  Dinner will be added in the weeks to come.

Breakfast served from 8 AM until 11:30 AM is an invitation to relax with a coffee and any one of a number of house-made Pastries ranging from za’atar-lemon croissants to tahini walnut banana bread; and Burekas – an Israeli puff pastry, stuffed with delicious fillings including spinach & Bulgarian feta, potato & caramelized onion and Gorenstein’s sweet spin – halvah, and pistachio & dulce de leche.  There are egg dishes including Gorenstein’s take on Shakshuka – a classic Israeli breakfast treat comprised of poached eggs, tomato-pepper sauce, Aleppo pepper, olive oil, and herbs, served with fire-baked pita and tahini green harissa.  Abba’s TLV Breakfast includes elements representative of a typical Israeli breakfast plate – house-made arak citrus cured salmon, two eggs, labneh, cured olives, shuk salad, hummus, pickled onions, and a toasted Jerusalem bagel.  Fresh seasonal fruit and labneh and house-made granola are on the lighter side, and both the open-faced Jerusalem bagels and many of the salatim from the lunch menu is available for breakfast as well.

Abba Televivian Kitchen is located at 864 Commerce Street on Miami Beach. Open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM. For more information please visit, www.abbatlv.com. Walk-ins only; metered street and valet parking available. Menus can be viewed HERE.