Alena restaurant

"The Norman This beloved boutique hotel in the center of Tel Aviv is named after Norman Lourie, the South African-born renaissance man who became not only a “one-man film industry” inIsrael, according to a 1948 issue of Variety , but also the nation’s first luxury hotelier. It comes courtesy of Lourie’s son, who bought two adjacent buildings off King Albert Square—both designed in the 1920s Eclectic style—and had them painstakingly transformed into a modern urban retreat. Guests of the hotel can look forward to a rooftop infinity pool, a Japanese tapas restaurant with gorgeous views, a lengthy menu of unique excursions, and, of course, the Norman Series—a monthly event at the Library Bar, during which you can catch various leaders (think diplomats, economists, artists, and scientists) in conversation. Rooms here are equally singular; no two are alike, though all feature Frette linens, beautiful bouquets, and homemade treats at turndown."

"The Norman hotel has long been among the city’s most luxe lodgings, and its multiple restaurants are all a cut above. Recently, however, chef Barak Aharoni transformed the haute Norman Brasserie into Alena, a slightly more casual bistro showcasing local ingredients and cuisine with influences from Southern France and Italy. For a fancy cocktail or just a snug spot to read a book, also check out the hotel’s beautifully designed Library Bar. [$$-$$$]" - Keren Brown