Maya Darin set an alarm clock for five in the morning and went out to meet the two women who are responsible for the hottest bakery in Tel Aviv, and perhaps in Israel as a whole • Watch the video
For some time now, all the eyes of the foodies and diners have been on Michal Botton and Anna Shapiro.
They are the promise that has already been fulfilled and continues to intrigue and delight the local palate.
Therefore, it is no wonder that for weeks we eagerly followed the renovation process of what has become the hottest bakery in the sector - "Fellow".
We visited "Amita", the bakery that everyone talks about // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon
The dream of opening their own place was woven many months ago.
Shapiro, who until recently starred and shone as a patisserie chef at Taizo Restaurant has matured into a long-awaited independence while Michal Botton, the most recycled baker in the Middle East, has gathered a loyal audience that has become acquainted with the coveted bakery at Basta Restaurant.
With the opening, it seems that the two have fulfilled not only their dream but also our dreams.
The longing for the poetic language so different in the local landscape, has become a dream that here is a reality, and I will explain.
The international chic atmosphere that characterizes the world of baking and patisserie in the country has become a guiding and leading line.
The distinct wink to Paris and its sweet pockets of sweetness, lust for New York and the polished cuisine it offers - all of these were laid out as a route and road map.
Then came Michal Botton with a different language, a different dialect.
She bakes with boldness and a primal and intuitive instinct.
It is not a stencil but also does not bake outside the box - it simply defines the box in a way that suits it, and creates a stencil unique to it.
And to Michal, Anna's friend.
They are both in heart, mind, work and action.
The precise and marvelous Anna is an architect of creation.
She has a clear and distinct vision and she sketches it exemplary and showcases it to spectacular plates.
The two are "Amita", a bakery with a Hebrew name and a glorious making.
From late at night, a moment before early morning both in the productive kitchen of the bakery.
Rolling, filling, puffing and baking.
Cook, chop and prepare delicacies.
And almost everything is familiar to us but not really.
Similar to the iconic line of giraffes, "the same fridge and so different approach" - so are the pastries in "Fellow".
The same chocolate croissant and such a different approach, since who dreamed of brushing the chocolate croissant with sugar syrup based on a perfectly roasted oatmeal ?!
Michal and Anna.
The two also adopted the trendy Breton kouign amann pastry, which is usually wrapped in a layer of candy caramel and soaked up the sweet and buttery yeast pastry in sage syrup.
Exemplary and innovative execution of such a traditional pastry.
No pretensions, no sticks or tricks - but with a ton of culinary intelligence.
But before I sail in praise of the most delicious breakfast pastries, their wonderful crispiness and the intoxicating aroma of butter curling from them - I would recommend a strategy.
For, fulfilling a "colleague" dream requires a strategy, probably these days, the early days of the road and why?
Because from the opening time, which is 7 in the morning, there is a queue outside the door of the sweet house at 10 Selma Street, Jaffa.
In other words, there is nothing at noon, do not come.
Every day more pastries will be baked and every day they will all be sold earlier than expected.
This is how it is when you give the most coveted duo in the arena.
This is how it is when the arena is run in the days of Corona.
This is how it is when the corona sanctifies good and comforting carbohydrates.
And yes, I will answer the squeaks even before they ask - the defeat is worth the hassle and the wait.
Because defeat is a dream and not always dreams come true, this time yes.
Apart from delicious breakfast pastries, Amita also has a selection of excellent breads, sweet and savory cookies, focaccia, fugas, granola and more.
In the fridge are boutique cheeses and homemade delicacies.
"Amita" Bakery, Salma 10, Jaffa.
Opening hours: from 7:00 until the end.
It is recommended to check the bakery's Instagram account before arriving.