Pairing Israeli Salad correctly — a note on arak

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Israeli Salad. I ordered it with arak and the sesame-rich and nutty elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. za'atar in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Shabbat and holiday meals follow religious traditions that shape the food served. The a Tel Aviv hummusiya is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Israeli Salad with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.