If Shuk catered the unrest in the Middle East, the combatants would be too busy eating to heave grenades.
Breakfast at Shuk in Bondi on a summer day. Double yum. I can think of few things that are better to do in public with mixed company and my clothes on.
This place takes up a corner in a residential neighborhood. They bake and cook and serve food that really cooks. Sit inside at funky wooden tables in an atmosphere pleasing to all the senses when really good food is within arm's reach, or sit outside at umbrelled tables and watch the traffic and who's in line at the ATM across the street. Its all charming. You can also sit in a rear patio allocated to really young kids. Thanks ever so, but no thianks. It is a haven for crumb snatchers competing with the birds, and where the kiddies can go "miShukina" without annoying anyone but their parent and eachother.
Shuk smelled like a bakery from blocks away (I put my GPS in my posket and just let my nose lead me to the front door) and the bakery section of this place is truly wonderful. Loaves of warm bread, Arab/Israeli bagels, cookies and cakes coming out from the busy kitchen keep the line of buyers and browsers happy and moving.
Pleasant young ladies, cleaned the table, brought ice water, and menus immediately. Every question was answered with "Sure, why not? Of course you can" (within the boundaries of civilized behavoir). Where were all these sparkling and accomodating ladies when I was in college? Okay, not born yet.
First, an amazing Latte, hot fresh roasted delicious coffee to get your attention got my attention.
The menu was simple and yet it was memorable. Every dish was innovative and simply different than you can get anywhere else. The Pancake with Fresh Ricotta, Blueberries, and Honey was disappointing only because there was only one huge crispy crepey wafer thin serving on the plate. Truth be told I am not a pancake guy. Given a choice between a hot Cinnamon Bun or cold Pepperoni Pizza on the kitchen counter I'm reaching for the chili flakes, two paper towels and the pizza cutter, but these Pancakes were truly divine and worth the mile and half hoof from Dover Heights.
The Shaksuka, however, was worth the fourteen hour flight for LA in coach class. A piping hot rich tomatoey, nicely spiced stew, with a whisper of Harissa, a dollup or two of Greek Yogurt, lots of broiled Spanish Chorizo mixed in and all topped with two perfect baked eggs still warm from the chicken before they ended up in the oven to finish this dish. The house made grilled sourdough bread that comes with it to sop up the last of what's in the bottom of the cast iron pan was great too. Butter in packets instead of a separate dish with a sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt is just quibbling for no reason. So feel free to ignore that.
This place is much better than religion first thing in the morning, and almost as good as lovemaking. I suggest two out of three as long asone is a visit to Shuk. read more