Reviews #34 - Jerusalem Cafe

Jerusalem Cafe
Variety: Mediterranean
Address: 6015 Lady Hammond Road
Date Visited: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Orders: Kufta, Makluba, Kunafa

Taste: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 76% (Good)

(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)

Notes: T was busy working (on a Saturday), so I recruited my lawyer friend, S, to join me for lunch at the Jerusalem Cafe. T and I lived just around the corner from this place but never got around to going - which is a shame, because it was pretty good. Walking in, this former video store had a great atmosphere - it didn't really feel like we were in Halifax anymore. Unfortunately, the restaurant was pretty empty, perhaps because it was gorgeous out, and also maybe because there was no lunch menu. As a result, the prices were pretty steep. The food, however, was very tasty and unlike anything we'd ever had in Halifax before. The Kufta was a soupy meat and potato tahini broth served with rice. Wasn't much to look at, but it was pretty tasty. The Makluba was an interesting looking rice, chicken, potato and peanut pile served with a tomato and cucumber salad, which was also very tasty. The server/chef recommended that we alternate rice/Kufta and salad/Makluba, which was a great idea. We also tried the Kunafa for dessert - a bright orange shredded dough and cheese dessert. "Interesting" pretty much sums it up. Much like local Indian food restaurants, the portion sizes weren't massive, and again, the prices were a little steep for lunch, but it was definitely worth a try! Will bring T back for a visit someday.