Glitz & Glamour
Behind the concept are some of the city’s most creative entrepreneurs, Tzachi and Eido Hagag, both from Israel’s leading real estate company, Hagag Group, and Chef Shachaf Shabtay. The spacious, intricately designed 2,200-square-meter restaurant was designed and supervised by Georgio Armani, the only building and restaurant in Israel to receive this prestigious honor. The process was under strict supervision and design standards, from the intricately decorated ceilings to the hand-crafted gold and Armani-hued tables. You can see the Armani stamp of approval at all three corners of the restaurant.
“Breaking the rules”
Pop & Pope has given new meaning to the connection between dining, upscale design, and art reminiscent of the days of salons, where gatherings to discuss art and culture brought the passionate together. It’s an art gallery and hub for artists, performers, and art enthusiasts, basically all the paintings and sculptures are for sale. Shahaf Shabtay heads Pop & Pope and has extensive global experience, a culinary genius, known for “breaking the rules” in the kitchen and his deep expertise in numerous schools of Asian cuisine.
He combines excellent local ingredients with his signature Asian details and renowned brilliance, working his magic on fresh raw fish, seafood, and other exotic, hard-to-find ingredients. The menu is divided by utensils instead of courses, a metaphor for how to indulge in each bite: chopsticks, spoon, teaspoon, fork, and knife.
The skills in the kitchen are evident in the Mung Bean Roll with tea-soaked chicken, honey hoisin sauce, or the Pushin Dim Sum with ginger, shrimps, kaffir lime, and smoked peppers, all with chopsticks. Stick a fork in the Pop Papaya with green papaya, cherry tomato, chili, and lemongrass or teaspoon the sought-after “Pope’s Plate,” an extravagant selection of signature desserts, with seasonal fruit, ice cream, and sorbet. For private and high-class events such as stunning galas, a 320-square-meter ballroom space is available.
Pop & Pope Bakery
Since its opening, the city has been abuzz over this prestigious European bakery where colorful cakes, chocolatey brownies, and fresh bread nestle among croissants with pastel-hued creams. Headed by one of the best pastry chefs in the city, Ofer Ben Natan manages to surprise daily with a vitrine of stylish and elegant pastries that pop!
28 HaArba'a St. 03-7595000, popandpope.com