Explore the food culture of Tel Aviv at our next Soho Retreat
Lose yourself in a culinary escape at our Israeli outpost, in partnership with Antler
Wednesday 30 August 2023 By Soho House
At Soho House, we know how important it is to take time out and do the things that bring you joy. If you’re a food lover who never gets bored of tasting new flavours, our new culinary escape is the ideal getaway for you.
The third retreat in our series consists of three days spent in and around our House in the ancient city of Tel Aviv, spotlighting local Israeli food through masterclasses by globally esteemed chefs, private wine tours and unique dinners, punctuated with a peaceful afternoon by the Dead Sea with mountain views and a culture-soaking tour of Jerusalem. Including bustling Middle Eastern food markets, authentic Israeli bakeries and Michelin-starred chefs, the escape is designed for you to relax, indulge and lose yourself in the culture – all supported by our friends at Antler.
Your food journey will begin on day one, as you wake up to a traditional Israeli breakfast including shakshuka, labneh, hummus, fruit, and more. Following some downtime at Soho House Tel Aviv, Jaffa, which is housed in a turreted 19th-century building, locally renowned chef Rami will take you on a tour of Shuk HaCarmel Market, where you will experience the bustling epicentre of Tel Avivian food, sampling as you go.
The afternoon will be spent making Challah bread in a masterclass hosted by Israeli-born chef Eran Tibi, who is famed for his modern approach to Israeli food. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, before opening his popular restaurants Bala Baya and Kapara in the capital. Tibi will then cook a full Shabbat dinner to be enjoyed family-style, accompanied by the bread from your class, Israeli wine, and music to take you into the night.
Day two will start at one of the oldest bakeries in the country, Abouelafia Bakery. Offering a selection of Arabic-style pastries, from savoury pitta bread, manakish, pretzels and samboskis to sweets such as baklava, you’ll line your stomach at Abouelafia before embarking on a vineyard tour at family-owned, boutique winery Sphera. Here, our in-house sommelier May Zonenshain and head winemaker Doron Rav Hon will guide a private tasting, including the best white and sparkling wines from the Judean Hills that surround the winery.
In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at Santa Katarina, where chef Tomer Agay will be serving modern Mediterranean comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients. Expect eclectic spices, fresh breads straight out of the tabun (clay oven) and menu highlights such as Labneh Ravioli, Shish Barak (a tabun bake oxtail tortellini) and Red Shrimp Skewer on a lemon tahini amba with confit garlic.
On your final day, you’ll enjoy a tour through the ancient city of Jerusalem finishing at Mahane Yehuda Market where you will be given a true taste of the local culture through the lively atmosphere, fragrant aromas and colourful spices of ‘The Shuk’. You will sample a selection of produce used at Michelin-star chef Assaf Granit’s restaurant, Machneyuda, followed by a meal in the restaurant. Then, spend the afternoon at the Dead Sea, relaxing and nourishing your skin with rich mineral waters and cleansing mud. The retreat will wrap up with a one-night-only dinner at Soho House Tel Aviv, Jaffa, curated by head chef Thomas Youell, who was previously based at The Palomar in London.
Sharing the same values and travel ethos, we have partnered with our friends at Antler for Soho Retreats to offer you a unique way to experience our Houses. Everyone joining each retreat will have the opportunity to choose a piece of perfectly crafted luggage from the British travel brand, which will arrive before they travel to use on future adventures.
Friday 10 to Monday 13 November
Three nights/three days from €2,450 (two members); €1,900 (one member) – includes accommodation, all programming and food and drink on full board.
The retreat package includes:
• Traditional Israeli breakfast at Soho House Tel Aviv, Jaffa
• Breakfast at Abouelafia Bakery
• Guided trip to Shuk HaCarmel Market with chef Rami
• Private wine tour and sampling at Sphera with head winemaker Doron Rav Hon and sommelier May Zonenshain
• Guided trip through Jerusalem with Tourbo tour company
• Challah bread masterclass with Israeli chef Eran Tibi
• Picante making class
• Visit Mahane Yehuda Market with local produce sampling
• Traditional Shabbat-style dinner cooked by chef Eran Tibi
• Israeli feast at Santa Katarina, tasting the best local food from chef Tomer Agay
• Trip to the Dead Sea
• A one-night-only curated dinner by head chef Thomas Youell
• Complimentary Antler cabin suitcase
Please note, any additional food and drinks outside the package will be charged additionally.
Friday 10 to Monday 13 November
Soho House members can book the retreat here