Tel il Mara
Nablus in the summer seems as hot as the old-
style Palestinian oven; the brown hills surrounding the busy city bake
in the sun. Visitors will be glad to know that there is relief nearby.
Tel il Mara Restaurant sits high above Nablus and is cooled by breezes
that whisk over the area’s olive tree-dotted horizon. Its two pools - one
for children and the other for men - provide entertainment as patrons wait
for the meats brought straight off the grill. If kids splashing in the
sun don’t provide amusement, the other side of the restaurant has a breathtaking
view of the slopes and valley below.
The food at Tel il Mara is typically Palestinian
- a round of salads and a choice of grilled chicken or lamb. Most patrons
won’t even ask for a menu. But when served, the meat is fragrant with spices
and the parsley, tomato and potato salads have unique twist.
A warning- the bees find the food delicious
and won’t leave you alone between the hours of two and five. And as is
too often the case, the service leaves quite a bit to be desired. Otherwise,
Tel il Mara is the perfect end to a day spent in the crowded but cheap
Nablus market. Location: On Nablus’ northern outskirts. Any taxi can take
you there for the five to ten shekel fare. Menu: strictly Palestinian,
including junk food for hungry kids after a splash No alcohol served.
Phantom Diner Rating: ++1/2
Rating Scale:
++++ next to heaven
+++ a place to come back to
++ if you're hungry you'll eat anywhere
+ not a ghost of a chance
Note: The views expressed
in this section reflect the Phantom Diner personal experiences in the restaurants
featured.