December 08
We don?t know exactly how they do it, but River Noodle Bar has what can only be called - broad-range appeal ? and is as easily enjoyed by a young dating couple, a family celebration, groups of friends, native Israelis, and Anglos. If you are a food and scene lover, this is your venue.
Here?s part of how they do it: River Noodle Bar is a huge and centrally located. The setting is sleek yet cozily inviting. There are almost unlimited choices for seating, all of which afford an open view of River?s gleaming, open kitchen. There is a definite buzz about the place, which anticipates something unusual and hip. There is indoor seating and outdoor seating.
 The menu at Jerusalem?s River Noodle Bar ? one of 7 in the country ? was designed to appeal to Jerusalem's diverse population. While the food is Asian, other dishes have been carefully included that appeal to a wide range Israeli audience. Thus amidst the broad Asian menu, there is a hefty sprinkling of shipud-like items. True to this philosophy, as I and my very young companion looked around the restaurant, we saw happy family groups, friends and couples of all religious and ethnic bents happily chowing down a dizzying array of food.
The menu, which is vast, is helpfully divided into Starters, Sushi, Ramen Noodle soups, Rice Dishes, Noodle dishes, and Desserts. Starters were particularly tasty, with special touches: Mixed green salad arrives with crisped sweet potato chips and sugared peanuts, Fish Strips are beautifully presented salmon strips covered with panko (japanese bread crumbs) with a nod to the Asian theme. Starters also aspire to include Israeli/Asian combinations such as Cigars, but here filled with chicken and chestnut and served with Japanese condiments. Kimchi?pickled vegetables in sweet chili sauce- was robust and authentic.
While Asian themed restaurants seem to routinely include sushi in their menu?not all excel at this. Sushi at River Noodle Bar, however, is stellar. It is fresh, varied and whimsical. We like to look for the unusual at sushi-serving restaurants and were not disappointed with the likes of Maki Grill ? freshly grilled salmon with cucumber wrapped in rice, mango and sesame seeds. Tempura Sushi was particularly well-done here, some of it arriving on skewers. The Sushi chefs also go that extra distance, fashioning some heart-shaped sushi to delight my young dining partner.
Ramen noodle soups are a hearty choice. They are more like a meal in a bowl than a first course. Savta San, chicken soup with ramen noodles, cabbage, carrots green onions and grilled chicken breast is not your Grandmother?s chicken soup, but holds its own. The other Ramens, based on different stocks, are also tempting. We especially liked Miso Pink, created on a salmon base.
As for the Noodle Dishes?here we enter into a true food theme-park. Do I want to ride the ?Fire and Flames? Noodle ride (beef, chicken, cabbage, carrot and onion-) or perhaps ?Seven Wonders? (Sliced beef, duck, chicken, nuts and soy in Coconut sauce?) Am I brave enough to attempt ?Schitut? and have goose livers with my stir-fry? Our favorite of these was ?Red Smoke??stir ?fried red noodles with smoked turkey, chicken and vegetables. It was the perfect combination of smoky, hearty and spicy. And was?as promised- red. For those a tad less adventurous, there is Yaki Soba and Pad Thai, with a host of chefs happy to prepare to your spice specifications.
While we couldn?t eat another bite at the end of our meal, we managed to taste some of the beautiful desserts - never a small feat in a meat restaurant. Sorbet arrived in a meringue wreath strewn with wildberries; chocolate mousse was beautifully plated. Next time we will try the Coconut Bombe encased in chocolate and sugared peanuts. Our meal finally ended with a soy decaf latte?-one more small touch of going the extra mile.
It?s not every restaurant who can handle meat, sushi and noodle dishes, and each with aplomb. River Noodle Bar, with many options to please everyone, proves that it can be done.
Prices
Starters 18-49; Ramen 39-49; Noodle Dishes 45-65 , Sushi Combinations starting at 45 NIS. River Noodle Bar offers a host of Business Lunch and Take-Out options. 44-64 NIS
The business lunch ranging from NIS 44-64 is served between 12 and 5 pm
daily. The 10% discount coupon does not apply to the business lunch.
Note: River Noodle Bar has a beautifully appointed private room (see photo) for meetings or small parties. Reserve this room in advance.
Note: Between the hours of 12:00 noon, and 12:00 midnight River Noodle now offers delivery. eLuna customers will be delighted to know that the eLuna 10% discount coupon will be honored on deliveries.
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