Perfect "Breakfast for Two" in Bagel Cafe

Very early yesterday morning, one of my learning partners and I discovered that it would only be the two of us, instead of 3-6 (it varies from week to week) in Matan for our 7:45 breakfast plus chevruta Al Haperek Tanach Bible session. Whenever that happens, we end up just talking, so we decided to really "play hookey" and have breakfast "out."

I did a quick "google search" to find what would be open on nearby Emek Refaim, Jerusalem. Bagel Cafe, 54 Emek Refaim, fit our requirements. By 7:30am we were already seated and hungrily poring over the menu.

We decided on sharing a Breakfast for Two. The waiter took our order and accurately served us exactly what we had asked for, even though he didn't write it down. Salads and omelets were prepared separately, according to our individual requests.

All the food was delicious and exactly the quantity we needed. Our only complaint was that the coffee tasted rather ordinary. I had asked for "American or filter" and thought it tasted more like my Elite Turkish when perked. As you may know, most mornings I have real American coffee, Kirkland brought by a good friend, made in a French Press. So when I order American, I have a certain taste in mind.

We polished off pretty much everything served to us and agreed that we'd return there for breakfast whenever we have a good excuse.

That very filling breakfast really did the trick and kept me satisfied for hours afterwards. Usually I need an early lunch at 11:30 before going into my 12 noon class with Yael Leibowitz at Matan. But besides eating a few cashews in the middle of the class, I needed no food until I got home a few hours later.

The Bagel Cafe seems to be very popular, and people were lined up for takeout, besides those of us sitting at tables. It probably is the best breakfast on Emek Refaim. Give it a try. Bagelcafe.co.il/mobile, 1-700-500-751.

Pishers Guide to Jerusalem #21, Perfect "Pit Stop" on Emek Refaim

This is a continuation in my ongoing series about public toilets in Jerusalem. See #20, #19, #18, #17, #16,  #15a, #15,  #14, #13, #12, #11, #10, #9,  #8, #7,  #6,  #5, Saved by The First Station aka #4a, #4, #3, #2 and #1

Yesterday was one of my super early and very stressful trips to Jerusalem to get to class in Matan. I thanked Gd profusely for arranging a ride, which dropped me off in Pisgat Zeev where I totally miraculously caught the horrendously infrequent #49 bus to Talpiyot. Once I was on that bus I planned to get off at the Liberty Bell Gardens/First Station stop and use the loo there. In the past I had found it open very early, 6:30 if not mistaken, since there were fitness classes at the station. At just after 7am, I saw the keys in the lock and the door just slightly ajar. I was told that it was closed. Grrrr... That was bad news, since I was really counting on it.

So, I began walking up Emek Refaim Street peering into the few stores open early in the morning. This newly opened branch of Shufersal Express, שופרסל אקספרס looked so attractive and inviting that I decided to give it a try. Apparently, it is so new, it's not even listed on the Shufersal (yes, this is the 21st century version of the veteran Super Sal chain) site. I walked around the store looking for signs of a public toilet and finally found them in the back. And I must say that the entire store was spotless and orderly.

I do appreciate it when the public toilets WCs are easy to find, and you don't need to ask staff. Generally the harder they are to find the worse the conditions are inside.

These were clean and well-stocked. Of course, the store had just recently been opened and renovated.

When I walked out, I saw one of the workers, who gave me a strange look, since I had just photographed the door. So I said:

"I write about Jerusalem's public toilets, and you will get a very high rating!"

That's true. This branch of Shufersal Express does have a first class loo. I am very glad to have discovered it. And if I need groceries when in the area, it'll be my first stop.

I'll have to check out other branches of the chain to see if it's a requirement, since the internet site said that these are mostly franchises.