The desk of Walla! isn’t exactly the calmest place on quieter days, let alone during routine, but now it’s unusually ecstatic, vibrant, and energetic. Because of the war and its new implications, of course, but also because of Passover. Or, to be more precise, Passover desserts.
Thus, the two most common sentences in the office corridors are "How did you dare to enter this room without something sweet" alongside "Kosher for Passover cakes are a complex matter." In fact, these two sentences are intertwined, chasing each other, and entangled in each other's words. The craving for something sweet in the middle of a tough workday (and at the end of a rather tedious Passover Seder, let’s admit it) versus the memory of the past, especially the distant years, which is compromise, contemplation, and a sour feeling of sweetness that didn't do its job.
However, 2024 mocks both sentences together. It definitely knows that Passover desserts are a "complex" matter that deserves attention and importance, but it also knows how to deliver. The performances are stunning, the flavors sharp, the balances existent, and those compromises have long since evaporated. And thus, even the "how did you manage to get here without dessert" is quickly resolved. With such a level, it’s without snacks. Simple. Happy holiday, and bon appétit!
The Winner: Mimi
The baking and sweets group from the Nono House celebrates Passover with a relatively unusual departure from the restrained classic worlds, very much to be delighted, of course.
Its Passover collection includes luxurious cakes and pastries in the form of a pear-shaped torte with almond and hazelnut cream (NIS 108 for a 20cm diameter), a "Noble" chocolate cake (chocolate tart, caramel, and Belgian chocolate mousse, NIS 142) deep in taste and very, very embracing, and also a slow-cooked coffee and chocolate cake (NIS 138) that almost pushes the boundaries of its aesthetics but only for a short while. Yet, it’s a hit. The inevitable action finally reveals walnut dacquoise, coffee caramel, and espresso chocolate mousse, mature and special, especially compared to traditional holiday desserts.
Alongside these, there are also groundbreaking cakes - chocolate-praline (NIS 58) coated with crunchy chocolate and hazelnuts, chocolate fudge cake (NIS 47), coconut Janduia cake (NIS 48) that mocks "Passover coconut desserts," and also a great winner in the form of a polenta orange cake (NIS 52) with sugared orange slices on top, which is somewhat Tuscan in its characteristics and highly appreciated in everything else.
The Adventurer: Roladin
The baking and sweets network storms the holiday as befits any worthy occasion on the calendar, and under the (deserved) title kosher to stand in front of it. Wordplay is also a sweet thing, it turns out.
The offering is so wide-ranging, almost immediately obliterating the limitations of kosher for Passover. Yes, even as a parfait, like in the "Croquant Praline" (cocoa biscuit, almond praline, praline mousse, and walnut Chantilly, NIS 165, NIS 75 per serving), "Marquis Chocolate" (cocoa biscuit, hazelnut caramel, and dark chocolate mousse caramel) and chocolate-caramel-pistachio tart (hazelnut pistachio caramel, cocoa biscuit, dark chocolate caramel, chocolate mousse, and pistachio chantilly).
In the dairy section, you'll find "Infinity Caramel" (almond and hazelnut praline, coconut biscuit, caramel cream, milk jam, and white chocolate mousse) sweet-bitter-great, Basque cheesecake, blondie bar with hazelnuts, "Café Chocolat au Lait" (chocolate coffee crunch, cocoa biscuit, coffee caramel, and vanilla mousse), "Rochers Fraise" (walnut dacquoise, hazelnut caramel, strawberry caramel, and forest fruits, white chocolate mascarpone mousse, NIS 85 per serving) festive and rolling, and also a timeless winner in the form of a chocolate fudge cake (NIS 130) deep, soft, and of the kind that requires a very gentle cut.
Apart from these, there are also tarts (pears and apples, for example), sensory cakes (six chocolates, cinnamon-nuts moist, orange-coconut, Amaretto apricot crying out for a large coffee, and chocolate praline still not finished celebrating Purim, already knocking on the doors of the next party).
More? Why not. There are excellent pecan cookies and snatched macarons, colorful marzipan games and excellent almonds, cuties and sables, passion fruit and kisses, and even chocolate truffles, if missing.
All this sweetness also goes into festive and meticulous gift packages, tailored to budget and goodwill. A package including a small rosé wine (375 ml), a chocolate brownie, and raspberry or vanilla kisses will cost NIS 122, for example, a tart or bar box with cookies and walnut praline spread will cost NIS 142, and a cake-macaron-kisses-cookie combination will cost NIS 183.
The Bride: Miki Shemo
The excellent baking and sweets hub from R2M's house of Ruth Bordo celebrates Passover kosher, of course, without forgetting what really matters.
The collection includes, among other things, nougat cookies filled with praline cream that almost melt on their own, colorful macarons, florentine cookies, and exquisite cookies, blondies who forgot about Passover, alfajores, and coconut and walnut classics.
Besides those, there's also a Japanese cheesecake (milk chocolate with white chocolate and marzipan nutmeg), a Mozart cake (white chocolate and milk mousse with marzipan nuts), "French Kiss" (white chocolate fudge, coffee mousse, and hazelnut cream), "Dacquoise" (milk chocolate mousse and caramel mousse on almond dacquoise), cheesecake with strawberries, cherries, or physalis, and also Daytona in a milk or white chocolate version - stunning, festive, and providing receipts for the show.
More? Of course. There are also chocolate fudge cookies, for example, and coconut meringue cookies, chocolate chip cookies adjusted for the holiday, and Amaretto almond and walnut cookies with a delicate marzipan touch, rice pudding or triple mascarpone and fruit cups, and also macarons, lemoncello, tiramisu, and chocolate mousse.
The (Definitely Not) Basic: Dallal
The romantic confectionery in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood celebrates Passover under the mantra "Back To Basic", and what can we say, if this is basic, then where exactly is the sky positioned?
Tomer Levi's collection includes a Chocolate Mousse Cake (NIS 165 for a 22cm diameter) with chocolate ganache and a touch of cognac, a rich texture, and a serious risk of indulgence, Almond Amaretti Cookies (NIS 64 per 300-gram package) that defy holiday limitations, Twill Sandwich Cookies (NIS 58 for 400 grams) that serve as a decadent snack with chocolate ganache naturally sandwiched between them, and also a standout from last year, in the form of a Pistachio and Strawberry Layer Cake (NIS 158 for a 15cm diameter) with vanilla ganache and crispy layers that tie everything together into a dessert that leaves no evidence behind.
Apart from these, there will also be Green Wheat Sourdough Bread (NIS 36) based on almond flour, olive oil, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds on top.
The Embracing: Bakery
The sweet hub from R2M by Ruti Broudo celebrates Passover with a stunning collection of indulgences and extra-corruptions.
Here, among others, there's apple compote and dried fruits (NIS 62), Tiramisu-Lemon Tart (₪78), and of course, the cheesecake (NIS 118-230). How could there not be?
Apart from these, there are sensations (polenta-orange, chocolate-coconut, or peanut and walnut, for example), Chocolate and Rum Cake (NIS 129), Praline Mousse Cake (with coffee chocolate cream and vanilla pine nuts, with chocolate ganache topping and crispy granita bottom, NIS 124) that requires a sturdy slice (both because of its richness and to leave some for tomorrow), and a rolled hit in the form of almond tart base, with cream, white chocolate, and sour cherry jam (NIS 92) - comforting, indulging, embracing.
More? Of course, more. Chocolate fudge cookies, for example, and coconut meringue cookies, holiday-adapted chocolate chip cookies, and almond-walnut amaretti with delicate marzipan toppings, rice pudding or Tiramisu and fruit trifles in cups, and also macarons, lemoncello, tiramisu, and chocolate mousse.
The Creamy: Biscotti
In the world of confectionery led by Rosella Yona, there's a splendid celebration underway, with a cautionary note not to miss out on the sweetness. Planning ahead? Absolutely not.
Expect here, among other delights, quiches without minor fears (potato, nuts, and cheeses or a combination of onion, leek, and white wine), countless savory options, and irresistible sweet temptations, and even more beyond that somehow.
Take, for example, Toffee Crunch (NIS 74 per slice, NIS 198 for a 26cm diameter), a chocolate fudge cake with Nutella cream, chocolate caramel, crispy nougat, vanilla chantilly cream, and a touch of salty caramel studded with golden chocolate crystals, Biscuit Royal, which starts with a walnut meringue cookie base, piled with mascarpone cream, a crispy layer of dark chocolate and white chocolate drops, and New York-style cheesecake, boasting a solid approach to life, until the first rich and creamy spoonful arrives.
What else? "Three Chocolates" (bottomless flourless chocolate cake, Belgian chocolate cream, blond cream, white chocolate cream, and a white chocolate coating), English Chocolate Fudge Cake (₪66), Duo of Vanilla and Chocolate (Belgian chocolate cream, vanilla cream with a combination of chocolate quenelle and hazelnuts, and a coating of dark chocolate ganache), vegan Pistachio Cake with vanilla cream and chocolate chunks, vegan Nocciolato with layers of Belgian chocolate cream and hazelnut praline cream, a delightful Carrot Cake (NIS 52), and common Brownie limitations (NIS 52).
The Regal: Babka Bakery
The temptation network of Coral and Shir Goren doesn't shy away from the holiday and offers a collection of Passover desserts and pastries, and more.
Here, among other things, there's a sophisticated Chocolate Fudge Cake (NIS 49) deceiving in its modesty and extremely rich, a Chocolate Orange and Coconut Cake (NIS 46), Chocolate Tart (NIS 72) on a gluten-free pastry base and bitter chocolate cream, excellent, and also Passiflora Tart, also in a Passover format, with a sour cream filling and a sweet and dense Passiflora ganache topping (NIS 72), which is also the ideal dessert for heavy holiday meals.
Apart from these, there's also a flourless cheesecake (NIS 69-159), baked cheesecake (NIS 69), Brownie Fudge Cubes (NIS 44) cut and screaming for coffee, nostalgic meringue kisses (NIS 32), and quiche with onion or potato, with a salty crust (and excellent on its own) and a rich cream-sour cream mixture (NIS 98) - for intermediate days, festive meals, and in general.
The Caramel: de La Paix
The venerable pastry shop celebrates Passover with a rich, elaborate, and naturally sweet spring collection.
Here, among other things, there's a "Galit" cake (white chocolate mousse, hazelnut cream on a baked white chocolate base, NIS 134-219), "Shubert" (layers of mocha mousse, dark chocolate and white chocolate with walnut meringue, NIS 219), "Praline" (walnut meringue base, nougat mousse and hazelnuts coated in chocolate, NIS 189), and the hit "Carmela" (chocolate mousse with toffee topping, NIS 134-189), sweet-bitter, and especially captivating.
Besides these, there's also a fairly famous Hedgehog Cake (layers of chocolate mousse with walnut meringue on a baked chocolate base, NIS 134-219) and quite stunning, Pistachio-Raspberry Cake (NIS 219), "Milk Dome" (milk jam mousse and white chocolate on a baked white chocolate base with coconut meringue and toasted coconut, NIS 134-219), "Mozart" with delicate bitter mousse, white chocolate mousse, and orange zest (NIS 134-219), and also "Forest" (baked white chocolate base, white chocolate mousse and forest fruit mousse, NIS 134-189), which was our favorite with a relatively sour cherry and relatively light cream, which lifted the holiday atmosphere a little more.