Flavors of Israel in the Heart of Atlanta

Sound the shofar so all may congregate and rejoice, there is a new Israeli restaurant in town! Rozina Bakehouse & Coffee has made its debut on Facebook, circulating and percolating and tantalizing us with images of divine, sweet and savory baked goods, succulent sandwiches, and rich, beautifully presented coffee, encouraging us to get off of our computers and head downtown to the quaint location, just steps away from Georgia State University and Woodruff Park.

We made our way to meet Shay Lavi at his new restaurant venture, Rozina, named after his grandmother, who inspired his love of cooking. Lavi has made a name for himself in the Atlanta foodie scene after working in various reputable restaurants, leading him to open his own catering business “Let’s Eat!” which allowed him the creative freedom and flexibility to cook with imagination.

Now at his new location, Rozina, Lavi offers delicious, beautiful and simple foods with Euro-Mediterranean flavors, using ingredients sourced as locally as possible. Lavi feels a deep obligation to support Georgia’s local agriculture, knowing that only the best quality is being used in his unique takes on classic recipes.

Rozina Bakehouse & Coffee is in a lively area bustling with foot traffic, from Georgia State students and staff, to local business professionals. It was nice to see an eclectic clientele eating lunch, drinking coffee, cozying up with a book, and chatting and laughing with friends.

We walked in and were transported to a European style café with brick walls, rustic wood floors, picturesque window décor, exquisite lighting, beautiful cast iron chairs and railings throughout the various sections. Soft Israeli music in the background rounded out the ambience.

Pictured are Rozina’s bureka, baklava and apple stuffed cookies served with Turkish coffee.

Lavi presented us with assorted items, all accompanied by his homemade baked goods. To start, we were served buttery, flaky burekas that boasted freshness and flavor. To accompany the savory burekas with a sweet treat, Lavi selected a scrumptious cookie stuffed with apples that went perfectly with our aromatic rich and creamy Turkish coffee, which was presented masterfully in filigree ancient-style cups with cute lids.

Our main items included shakshuka, a delicious dish of poached eggs with tomato sauce, an earthy Israel-style couscous with roasted vegetables, an enormous tuna sandwich on homemade challah bun, and a light and crispy falafel burger topped with tahini sauce, garlic pickles, tomatoes and onions, also on Rozina’s challah bun.