A visit to Tel Aviv in Utrecht: Carmel Market
You know it: husband or wife (or any other your table companion) orders a tasty dish and you would like to try a bite of it. Usually it is just one - if all goes well, two - snack(s). And with a bit of bad luck, it will be disappointing if your neighbor's dish is just that little bit tastier...
They are not familiar with this scenario Carmel Market in Utrecht. Shared dining there is the formula: here everything from Israeli cuisine is brought to the table and then shared with your table companions. Countless dishes inspired by Tel Aviv's most popular (and liveliest!) market: the Carmel Market. Ever wanted to taste exactly that? So you go to Carmel Market in Utrecht for a preview.
That leaves you wanting more Tel Aviv? We have.
First back to Carmel Market at the Janskerkhof. For the record: this tent, named after the famous market in Tel Aviv, can be found in the center of Utrecht and is housed in an old and stately building. The inside is a bit lavish, including ornaments and ceiling paintings. The peeps behind Carmel Market think in plumes, gold accents and prints all over the place en it shows.
The market feeling of the Carmel Market – or Shuk Ha'Carmel, as the local market is also called – is extended into the spacious courtyard, the hidden gems from Utrecht. In the garden it looks just like Tel Aviv. Eastern accents – think of glass (oil) lamps, tropical plants and no shortage of fresh colors – in combination with natural tones give the Middle Eastern feeling.
Although Tel Aviv is the starting point of the culinary journey, it is certainly not the final destination. Much more than just Israeli cooking is done in the kitchen. Expect exciting traditional dishes mixed with influences from 'the new world'. Carmel Market experiments with the opportunity to taste all the goodies from the Levant area. This area extends across Western Asia (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, but also Turkey, to the coasts of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt) and that collection of influences creates organized chaos on the table. An organized chaos which at Carmel Market is called 'balagan' gets. Excusez-mois, Balagan? In summary, it is mainly a delicious meal together with bread as a connecting factor. On the map? All kinds of snacks, from roasted kohlrabi and falafel to sea bream and steak tartare.
All year round you can taste the colorful atmosphere of the bustling Carmel market square in the heart of Utrecht. Take a seat or join us in the covered courtyard, where the sun – if there is any – always shines through the conservatory.
Carmel Market is from September 16 open from Thursday to Sunday.
