Pompidou

Pompidou is a kosher bistro at 27 Emek Refaim Street in the German Colony of West Jerusalem, Israel, with a romantic dining room and a leafy terrace on one of the city's best-known restaurant streets. The cooking follows a French bistro model adapted to Israeli kosher rules, and the dish most associated with it is steak frites, backed by seasonal salads and classic bistro desserts. The dining room is candlelit and intimate in the evenings, and the terrace suits warm nights, making it a favoured address for couples and for dinner after a walk along Emek Refaim. Dress is smart casual, noise is moderate and service is relaxed. As a kosher meat restaurant it follows the dietary laws, which means dairy desserts are not served after meat dishes. The drinks list centres on Israeli and international wines, plus cocktails and beer, with wine pairing a natural fit for the bistro menu. Prices are at the upper end of the neighbourhood ($$$), and the rating is around 4.1. Reservations are advisable, particularly for Thursday dinner, which is the busiest night before the weekend; other evenings are easier. Opening hours are roughly 12:00PM to 11:00PM Sunday to Thursday, with lunch on Friday, and the restaurant is closed on Saturday. The German Colony setting, with its Templer-era stone houses, adds to the appeal, and the venue sits close to Caffit, the First Station complex and other restaurants along the strip, which makes it easy to walk between venues. Visitors who prefer a lighter meal can order salads and share starters.