Bubble Rap

I'm a little 10Bis obsessed (in the off chance that detail was somehow missed).

I went out to this pub the other night and decided to have some eats.

When I received the menu, I saw that they had this sort of a symbiotic relationship with the restaurant Bubble - a 10Bis restaurant. (You can imagine my pleasure at seeing this. I was like Jojo the idiot circus boy.) I immediately asked if they accept 10Bis. To which I received a curt 'No'. My over-developed sense of justice attempted to pursue this a bit further (knowing Bubble is a 10Bis restaurant) - to no avail. Alas, I ordered without the 10Bis - which (bearing in mind my previous post Epiphany) - may have influenced the quality of the order.

I should note that I was especially pleased - as this is a restaurant that is usually out of my distribution area (yes, I sometimes login with my spouse's 10Bis to see everything I'm missing out on working outside of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area).

The ORDER: The steak sandwich.
The PRICE: At 31 NIS was a steal, in my opinion - especially at a pub at prime hours.

The DELIVERABLE: I apologize for the lack of pictures (flashless cameraphone in a dark pub = no pictures) - but I'll try and be as graphic as possible. First off, the bread was like this homemade number which was a cross between a bun and an English muffin (just not as dry) - flat on both sides but nice and supple inside. There was a nice amount of meat -which was exactly steak sandwich style - none of this faux steak - roastbeef-esque - business. Fresh veggies + spicy mayonnaise + ketchup make for a goooood sandwich.

The VERDICT: Definitely a good investment. Plus it arrived super-fast for a delivery. Stars all around. (Again though, ordered minus 10Bis - which contributes to the growing 10Bis disrespect theory).

How Low Can You Go?

I've been having a bit of trouble finding my muse - you know the fuel for my musings lately...I think I may have just had an overwhelming week + I've been sticking to salad lately - holiday season and all, which really is not so interesting to write about. Ugh, chick/[Insert Herbivorous Animal Here] food.

Which may also be the reason that random things are really starting to really piss me off. (More than usual, that is). No, I don't have my period.

I'd like to discuss the fabled "Israeli Breakfast", and then potentially get sidetracked to other, perhaps apparently unrelated subjects.

What is the deal with the price of the Israeli Breakfast lately? Is it just me or are establishments a little off their rocker?!

Once upon a time the Israeli Breakfast cost between 25 - 30 NIS. Inflation, shmita, [Insert Excuse Here] - and hopa prices go up. 30 - 35 NIS. Which is already an exorbitant amount to pay for a couple of eggs some salad, cheese, and jam. Sometimes coffee and juice, sometimes just one or the other.

Today finding an Israeli Breakfast priced between 35 - 40 NIS - you feel like you won the lottery, and even better if it comes with juice and coffee. But then LO AND BEHOLD and prices are scratching the 50 NIS!

Yeah, I get it rent in Tel Aviv, overhead etc. etc. Really - this entire breakfast is costing them at best 15 NIS. So really - get over the overhead. This is a daylight robbery.

It makes you think of If you Give a Mouse a Cookie. Or what they call in Israel - Shitat Matzliach שיטת מצליח. (A quick translation - The Success Method - you try, if you succeed, Great! If not, no harm in trying).

You feel like you really want to hug the owners of establishments like Bar Gurion who still only charge 30 NIS (should we let them in on the secret that it's gone up way more...?)

I actually get up and walk out of establishments that charge more than 40 NIS. I think that's the only thing left for me to do as a consumer, as the world goes nuts around me. (For the record, places like Duck's on Gordon and Dizengoff, and Cafeneto that charge nearly 50 NIS actually are the cheapest about breakfast too. They'll actually only serve as if you're one person, instead of a couple. And you'll ask them about it - and they'll say - "you can always ask for more". At Cafeneto - we actually had to beg for olives and more than three slices of cheese. For nearly 50 NIS! If you're charging me nearly 50 NIS for an Israeli Breakfast - it better be the best damn Israeli Breakfast I've ever had. Hell the friggin Hilton charges 70 NIS - and there it's an insane buffet - and the guy makes your egg right in front of you - and you can have 10 if you want.) Have people gone mad?!

It's the same story with rent prices in Tel Aviv, and Coke in restaurants these days. I've actually heard about people paying 2800 NIS for 25 meter apartments, and at Goocha they charge 11 NIS for a bottle (no not 500 ML) of Coke.

How much chutzpah can this city have?

Eat your Vegetables!

I'm aware I'm double-posting but I didn't realize how difficult it is to actually maintain a blog (I was pretty sure at some my point this blog would become self-sufficient).

My friends ordered from a new Asian place - and since nothing really appealed to me on their menu (have I mentioned that I'm picky with my stir-fry?) - I went out on a limb with something completely different.

Tag'in טאג'ין

The ORDER: Lunch Deal Main Dish with Two Side Dishes served with Pickled Vegetables עסקית מנה עיקרית ושתי תוספות וחמוצי הבית

The PRICE: 29 NIS

My CHOICE: Chicken Meatballs with Olives, Buchari (I'm definitely misspelling this one) Ushpalau Rice, and Vegetables

The DELIVERABLE: The packaging was leaky - which I hate, by the time you've gotten the food to the kitchen it's dripped halfway across the office - and then you have that panic attack when you actually have to open the bag and you know it's going to spill everywhere in the kitchen too.

The chicken meatballs and olives were spot on - they tasted just like home - and the meatballs themselves were huge. The rice was fine - a bit dry but edible and tasted good enough - the vegetables were seriously lacking. They were more soup than a vegetable side dish. Now I usually like vegetables - but this was not appealing.

The VERDICT: Filling meal - good enough, when in a bind.

On a completely different note - and on a completely different day - but I figure they still deserve props - my friends ordered from a place called HaTabun VeHamangal - which is the McDonald's equivalent of an Israeli typical restaurant (they're a chain and I think they have one in every city). There are the more generic versions that can be called Mangeliyat HaSteak, Steakiyat HaTabun or any other such thing, and they all usually bring you with your meal a lot of salads and pitas - with free refills.

This place decided that if the customer isn't going to come to them - well hell, they'll bring it to the customer. This was the most insane order I've seen in a long time. (They offered a table and chairs too! But you know there's a limit to what one person can eat.)

SHANA TOVA U'METUKA AND CHAG SAMEACH TO ALL OF AM YISRAEL!

May this new year bring us many good 10Bis meals!

Epiphany.

There has been an annoying phenomenon I've been encountering since my first order with 10Bis.

I'm having trouble finding a place I really enjoy ordering from, and not one that's just good enough in comparison to the other sub-par places. What surprises me the most is that I've ordered many times from a lot of these places from home, and it's been great.

So here is the thought...do these restaurants see a 10Bis order and they think - eh, we can just throw this meal together - no biggie? What is it about a 10Bis order that makes every restaurant fail at the basic task of providing a good meal?

It might be the many orders that come in simultaneously - but really, if they had a packed restaurant would they behave the same way? I'm fairly certain they wouldn't. It's just something in that 10Bis Mark of Cain.

Take the following restaurant.

Ba Li Kooskoos.

The ORDER: The Orange Dish המנה הכתומה - Chicken drumsticks with Carrot, Squash, and Yams

The PRICE: 29 NIS

The DELIVERABLE: I've had this dish tons of times - it's one of my favorite meals. This restaurant sits on the corner of my street. I've ordered this dish from home, and I've had take out. I just don't get it. While it tasted the same. It came with 25% less cous cous, and no vegetables in the soup. This is a place I KNOW can do better than that. It's really disappointing. They've had really low scoring on 10Bis and I've been urging everyone to eat there, since I really did like what I had in the past. And lo and behold, even one of my favorite places was pretty lame. (And I've lost some credibility in doing so...REALLY THEY'RE GOOD I PROMISE!)

Maybe I'm being too hard on these places, but I know that in their heart of hearts - they don't even want to have to work with 10Bis. They want to be one of those restaurants that can forego 10Bis and still be successful. But they can't.

So why not appreciate the customers you have through 10Bis?!

I just don't get it.

The VERDICT: I usually love this place. Good taste - could use a little more umph.

Consistency is Key.

So despite my previous incident, I decided to be a renegade once again. (This could likely have been sheer stupidity - but I like to consider it being adventurous and bold - I may have also seen someone recently eating this dish and thought it looked rather appetizing - but that doesn't detract from my renegadism/ity).

BENTO
The CLAIM: Noodles/Rice Stir Fry with Chicken and Vegetables מוקפץ נודלס/אורז נתחי עוף וירקות
The PRICE: 34 NIS


The DELIVERABLE:
Now this is what stir fry is supposed to look and taste like. The right noodles - not those gross XXXL ones that have the consistency of worms (I know this from watching Man vs. Wild) - it even came with those little sweet potato fry things on top - I love those! And the right vegetables - no extranious corn/peas.




My only complaint is that there wasn't enough chicken - by the time I was halfway through there was no chicken left (and this being one of those times when I didn't intentionally pick out all of the chicken first, and then pout about it later).

I also need to give Bento props for their exceptional branding. I really do like their distinct bags/chopsticks/boxes. It makes you feel like they care about their image, and consequently - their customers. It also gives you this nice fuzzy feeling inside that you know no matter what - it'll always come packaged nicely.



The VERDICT: Good price + good meal + pretty little boxes.

Denied.

So just as a POC (that's a proof of concept for all the non-nerds who read this blog...uhh, who am I kidding really?) of my previous post - note the time the pic below was captured.

That's right 10:10 like clockwork - the site fails to load. I love how you always have one more refresh left in you - just when you think you're all out.

Guess who had to order a lousy salad from a local place that thinks alfalfa sprouts are cutting edge and need to be put in everything (including your soda)?


Just shout it out when you think you know the answer.

So Much for Reliability.

So not only does the current scoring system suck (it'll take a while before the new system actually bears fruit...) - it's completely not reliable.


Why is it that in all of the categories this restaurant has a 4-5 star rating...yet an overall score of 2 1/2 stars?!





Now I'm not the mathematician of the century, but something smells fishy to me.

Conspiracy anyone??

Delicious Self-Torture

I only let myself order Indian food about once a month - because despite the pleasure in the eating, it leaves a trail of destruction in its wake.

Knowing this - I chose to order Tandoori.

The CLAIM: Tika Masala Lunch Deal עסקית טיקה מסלה
Served with a side of rice, lentils, potatoes, and naan.
The PRICE: 30 NIS

The DELIVERABLE:



Although this may not look so appetizing (and the packaging could have been better - their food always leaks) - the taste delivers, and it's definitely a bargain.





My favorite part is the Tandoori surprise. The order claims to come with a side dish of "lentils", but every time I've ordered it's been something else: beans, chickpeas, miscellaneous glop. It tastes good though, so I can't complain.


The VERDICT: Taste is good - can be a bit messy. Brace yourself for a good helping of heartburn after though. The lunch that keeps on giving.

10Bis Fail. D'oh.

So I encountered the 10Byte below on Twitter, and felt I needed to post it.










I really couldn't give a crap what 10Bis is having their period about - if they make a gross error like this - they better get their ass in a cab and personally pick up that Aroma salad. WTF? What gives? You pay for a service - and they just don't provide it. What kind of bullshit is that?

What's 10Bis good for if not to ensure you actually get your friggin lunch. That's their entire job - they don't do anything else.


Just when I think they're getting their act together.

Mission Accomplished

10Bis made the change - along with some other nice GUI changes....and within the week as promised.

It doesn't get better than that!





I just hope it's not on some alternate website that only I'm redirected to - and everyone else thinks I'm nuts.

(I think I'm the first person who used it).

Nothing to Write Home About

So today's lunch was a bit thrown together and last minute - as I only got to the office at 11:00.

I had to order from some local place called the Ass Cafe (I'm thinking they meant Ace - but we won't be sticklers).

The CLAIM: Sandwich Lunch Deal עסקית כריך

A sandwich on rye bread with a drink.

The PRICE: 19 NIS

My CHOICE: Egg Salad Sandwich on Rye with Tomatoes, Lettuce, and Pickles with Coke Zero.

No Special Requests.

The DELIVERABLE: An egg salad sandwich on rye with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles & Coke Zero.

Pretty simple.

What you see (and what they write) is what you get.

No big news here. I guess it's value enough for the price.

The VERDICT: Could have been worse.

On another note - while it's no brainer that Pizza Hut is the best pizza in Israel - apparently their service level is up to par as well.

Three colleagues of mine ordered the three pizza deal (yes - the boys have an appetite) for 120 NIS.

One of my colleagues - entered peppers for his topping choice - and requested in the comments that they actually top it with Feta cheese as it wasn't among the options, and lo and behold:

They did.

Good job.

Oh, but just as an FYI - this order did come with a suspicious energy drink called "De Puta Madre - 69 Para Siempre". Seriously. Which the Rabbanut approved. I guess their Spanish is a bit rusty. Now that's class Pizza Hut.

Plain Chutzpah

Quick gripe of the morning...so apropos the taking advantage of people when their hands are tied post below.

A good example I encountered this morning.

I went to say goodbye to my mom at the airport - and we decided to have coffee.

Now, I should say - I live in Tel Aviv - potentially the most expensive city in Israel, so I know the price of coffee. Even the higher price of coffee. Coffee at its most chic, luxurious, indulgent price.

19 NIS is plain extortion. I was literally insulted by the gall of it.

Juiceland at Ben Gurion Airport charges 19 NIS for a large coffee! Really?! (And in case you can't see my face - it's rather taken aback). That's obnoxious to say the least.

A quick aside - the coffee place at the arrivals area only charges 15 NIS (not cheap either - but not so out of line) - so you're better off getting your coffee there, before you ascend to the departures area. McDonald's also has a McCafe if you're willing to sacrifice a bit of quality.


I don't often like supporting establishments that clearly exploit their customers - but this time my hands were tied, as my mom was waiting (and didn't have much time for me to take one of my consumer stands).

However, next time I shall be well aware ahead of time - and I shall be sure to not support such a venture.

Talk About Good Customer Service!

I must give 10Bis huge props for a couple of things.


See Tweet below:

1) It's alway heart-warming to see even SMEs in Israel being technotronic. It never ceases to amaze me. So - way to go 10Bis for Tweeting.

B) Props on the high level of customer service - it's a rare thing in Israel - and certainly noted and appreciated.

Now - we just have to see if they actually make it happen.

And We Have a Winner Folks...Bisim!

10Bis has broken my free spirit. While I previously liked to consider myself open to trying new things...after a few serious debacles, I decided to forego this audacious, brash, rash behavior.

I like to go for a sure thing now.

Bisim is a sure thing. This is the third time I've ordered from there (and although there were two stain incidents with my other meals - which obviously cannot be attributed to them in any way - but annoying nonetheless) I must say I'm a happy camper once again.

The CLAIM:

Caesar Salad with Chicken Breast, Lettuce Hearts, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion, served with a roll of choice

My CHOICE: Caesar Salad

Special Requests: Chicken and dressing on the side

The DELIVERABLE: What can I say? They don't disappoint.

From the PACKAGING:

Everything was separated as asked for, and neatly and cleanly packaged - and I got TWO (rather fresh - might I add) rolls! Score!

To the FOOD:

The condensation on the container tells you it's fresh vegetables that came nice and chilled - while I'd have preferred more lettuce hearts (it was mostly regular chopped lettuce) - this was definitely not one of those salads you could have chopped yourself. Nicely cut, attention to the size of the vegetables (onions thinly sliced - as they should be), with a nice freshness to the vegetables. Plus - they didn't add any unmentioned/undesired vegetables. I hate the vegetable surprise.

The chicken as you can see also came warm - which is a tough combination and very impressive - chilled salad plus warm chicken. Definitely earned extra points for that.

The seasoning of the chicken was perfect for Caesar salad. I have a serious issue with places that'll market their chicken salad as a Caesar salad when there's no real differentiator between the two. The chicken is usually grilled the same way on some flat top grill whether it's for a chicken salad, Caesar salad, or grilled chicken breast with french fries. Such is not the case with Bisim - this is the exact seasoning for Caesar salad. (Which may be a complete coincidence - making their chicken salad or grilled chicken with fries taste very similar to a Caesar salad - but since this was my dish, I was rather pleased). The dressing was also just right. Although this was a kosher restaurant - so it couldn't be the traditional anchovy Caesar salad dressing - it was as close as it comes for the kosher version.

The VERDICT: Full stars all around - except for speed - because really even though they arrived earlier than most, it still took two hours. Definitely RECOMMENDED.

The Lag

I definitely agree with the 10Byte below.

Why do establishments, that would never allow such a lag in delivery time for a home delivery, enable this 10Bis phenomenon?

50 mins. (the average delivery time when you order from home) is torture enough when you're hungry - an hour and forty minutes is insane!




That would never fly in any other circumstance - so why exploit people that have their hands tied?

Not cool.

Pre-Breakfast Lunch

As if the constant 10Bis trials and tribulations aren't enough - they consistently want to test your dedication.

For example. Before you've even finished your morning coffee, and have gotten past the daily nausea from the cafeteria in the building lobby that seems to be frying onions at 9 a.m. EVERY DAY...you have to know what you're having for lunch. Because 10Bis really has a great customer retention policy.



Note that all the orders close at 10:30 a.m.

And while you may be thinking - 10:30 isn't that bad to start thinking about lunch - well guess again. You can't really procrastinate - like we all love to do - until 10:30, because their website seems to mysteriously crash EVERY SINGLE DAY at 10:07 until 10:43. So you really should know what you're having by 9:52 - you know so you're not eating fried onions from the cafeteria downstairs.

What gives?