The Best Hamburger in Jerusalem and Escaping the Blizzard

As I wrote in the previous post, while being a "blizzard DP bag lady gypsy," I invited myself to the home of Israel Brews and Views.  And then I suggested to Isramom that she meet me for dinner at HaGov, The Lion's Den, my favorite sports bar and grill, 5 Yoel Solomon Street, Kikar Zion, Jerusalem.

For those in the know, HaGov, isn't just a bar, it's one of the best popular priced kosher meat restaurants in Jerusalem.  The reaction I once heard from a visiting American was:

"I never thought you could get such delicious hamburgers in Israel."

with a side order of salad

with a side order of onion rings

I don't usually order hamburgers or eat them, but I do at HaGov. That's what Isramom and I ordered, one of their various hamburgers. We got the standard size, but it's possible to get giant ones, too.

Our full, filling meals cost us only ns55, which is the price of a salad in many of the dairy restaurants.  HaGov's hamburger is definitely good value for the money.  I also had beer, chosen by the bar owner, since I'm no maiven.  I trusted him and his choice was good.

We were there during "happy hour" before the crowds.  When we walked in I discovered that I wasn't the only blizzard refugee from Shiloh there.  My neighbor was enjoying a similar meal.  He came with his computer and was working while eating.  And for those who want it as a sports bar, which it really is, there are screens all over the walls showing various games.  The staff is very cooperative about showing the game you want to see whenever possible.

Drop in at 5 Yoel Solomon Street, or give them a call 052-870-9993.  They're open in the evening until very late, depending on the games and customers.

Snow/Blizzard Saga, Having Fun With Friends, Beer!

During my few days last week as a Blizzard of Tevet 5774, December 2013 DP, I decided to make the best of it.  Although I was having great fun with the grandkids and getting to work in Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin wasn't a problem, I did the chutzpadik thing and invited myself over to the Israel Brews and Views home.

The official reason was that I study in Matan early on Wednesdays and I wanted to be closer for easier traveling.  So I called them and told Mrs. Israel Brews and Views that I had a chutzpadik  question to ask.  Before I even asked it, she told me that I was invited to stay over.  Then I called Isramom and suggested that she and I have a grannies' night out for dinner at HaGov, The Lion's Den.  Bli neder, I'll review our fantastic meal there in a later post.

Doug and his wife were the perfect hosts, and suiting the occasion offered me a drink of a new beer called "Chutzpah."

our "selfie"

If I understood his explanation correctly, it's a raw beer, more like a fresh juice, which has a shelf-life of only two weeks.  That's why it's not all that commercially available. The owner of HaGov hadn't heard of it.  I must admit that I loved the flavor.  This is a special occasion beer to be bought and enjoyed immediately.

I've been following Doug's blog from the very, very beginning and each time he blogs about some beer I want to try it. He's in touch with many of the small boutique Israeli breweries and understands the beer production process.

That's why and how he had some various types of hops for us to sniff.

Considering that I had left my blacked out, snowed in blizzard home for a few days, I certainly made the best of it.

You can say that I made lemonade out of lemons, that tasted like great beer!

Kosher Bar and Grill, Cooked by a Chef

I guess it's an international trend.  Trained chefs are cooking in surprising  places.  Sybil (Wonders of a Wonder Pot) Kaplan discovered upscale food and fine dining in Jerusalem's new kosher sports bar & grill, HaGov.

HaGov has a facebook page where you can get information about specials, like for Israeli Independence Day, and the night's sports programs.  Each television screen can show a different game simultaneously.

Why The Warnings?

Do I really blog about my kids all that much?  Sometimes they tell me things with the warning:

"Don't tell anyone! Don't blog about it!"

I don't think I mention what I shouldn't.  It's rare for me to post pictures which reveal their faces, or the faces of the grandkids.  Since my husband promotes his identity even using his picture in his blog-banner, I don't have to worry about censoring his face.

I do have permission to remind everyone to visit The Lion's Den, HaGov.  It's kosher and will be closed for Passover.  It's an "open all night" sports bar & grill, where you can watch games and eat and drink.