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14 Hativat Yerushalayim Street, Hutzot HaYotzer, Jerusalem
(across from Jaffa Gate, above Eucalyptus Restaurant)
Tel: 02-5900007
Kashrut: Rabbanut Yerushalayim
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Open Sunday - Thursday: 9:00am - 11:00pm.
Friday 9:00am - two hours before Shabbat.
Motzai Shabbat: an hour after Shabbat till 11:00pm. Closed Shabbat. |
This write up
was submitted by Arnie Draiman. []
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Cafe Esperansa
October 2013
Esperansa is 100% pure delight. The al fresco dining on the rooftop (enclosed in the winter) grants incredible views of Jerusalem, from the Old City walls, to Montefiore's windmill, to the new Teddy splashing fountains park, and everything in between. And each evening at 8:00pm, there is a fantastic sound and light show at Teddy Park and Esperansa is the best seat there is - great for date night!
Esperansa is the latest creation from world class chef Moshe Basson. You might know Moshe from his gourmet meat restaurant Eucalyptus (which he still runs in the same building as Esperansa, but downstairs!). Moshe has dedicated this outstanding dairy restaurant to his mother, for whom the restaurant is named.
About The Esperansa Menu
Moshe puts his heart and soul into his food - yes, he has a big heart and an even bigger soul - plenty to go around! His use of specially grown herbs and spices, mixed with his magic touch, creates an eating experience like no other. It is true Food Art - and Moshe is as good as, if not better than, any artist at the artist's lane of Hutzot HaYotzer.
The Masakchan Focaccia was crisp on the outside, chewy but not heavy on the inside, and it was smothered with onions which had been sauteed in sumac. The focaccia is served wtih Labane - the real deal, not store bought. Wow. (I will be using that word quite a bit here!).
 We tasted two other appetizers: the Stuffed Mushrooms (stuffed with cheese and herbs, coated in spiced bread crumbs) and the cubes of fried Haloumi cheese, served with a piquant tomato salad. Double Wow. The blend of spices, and sauces doesn't overwhelm; rather, it brings out the full flavors of each item.
For our main course, we enjoyed the Sweet Potato Quiche and cheese ravioli. Thie quiche had a super tasty crunchy shell with a perfect filling of sweet potatoes, cheese and herbs. The Cheese-filled Ravioli was served with generous amounts of roasted garlic and other vegies.
 Esperansa also has a nice variety of specialty Salads, Sandwiches and Pizza - not just pizza, but gourmet pizzas you won't forget. So yes, your kids will love it, and you can even go there for the pizza without being embarrassed.
Esperansa offerrs just an
Incredible selection of desserts - the way dessert was supposed to be done. We had the cheesecake and kanafe. The cheesecake had a solid Graham cracker crust and a first rate light and fluffy cheese filling. Kanafe is the sweet cheese filled "stringy dough" pastry served with crushed pistachio nuts. This is one of those Middle Eastern dishes that you pass by and wondered what it is....Again, this is the real deal - not "immitation kanafe", but this is the one you've always wanted to taste. And the best thing is that Moshe doesn't use the orange food coloring so it is "au naturel" and delicious.
 Esperansa is a food experience. Don't be fooled by the names of the dishes or even the descriptions in the menu. The dishes are much more than their description. The dishes will leave your mouth bursting with a flavor sensation for days and you'll be full for days too!
Pastas 55NIS-70NIS, Quiche 49NIS, and Fish 90NIS - 108NIS.
EVENTS: Esperansa, like Eucalyptus downstairs, can host events for 120-200 people. The way the building is designed, there are several smaller and larger spaces from which you can choose. Being right outside the Old City walls, it is perfect for morning brunches, Brit Milah celebrations, Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties, etc.
 PARKING: If you make reservations you can park in the small parking lot (about 12 spaces), behind the buildings of Hutzot HaYotzer - enter from behind the King David hotel, and when you get to "Dror Eliel Street", there is the "Felt Parking Lot". Call the restaurant and give your name, and a free parking space is yours!
One important note: Esperansa is in a recognized, preserved "historic building", and so the municipality is not keen on allowing structural changes to be made. But Esperansa is working on figuring something out for wheelchair accessibility. Until the city approves it, unfortunately, you will have to climb some stairs.
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 Click here for a 10% discount coupon on your next order at Esperansa. Print out this coupon and present it at the restaurant.
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