just about average mediterrean food..bit disappointed about how the chicken shawarma was more like thin shredded chicken nothing like shawarma from places i have had before..the yellow sauce used tasted delicious,loved it something called as amba...overall average ,not bad
Christy T.
Amazing hummus and drinks. Service is great and to-go window is in a prime location at Avalon.
stlatl
We absolutely loved the food, and will be back for that very reason alone. The service was pretty good although a drink and a side never made it to our table and we were charged for the side as well as an extra pita bread that we did not order. Looking forward to returning.
R Leah G.
We had gone to Avalon to see a movie and decided to stay on site for dinner. Walking from the theater, we noticed that Goldberg's Deli had been replaced by a new entrepreneurial venture Call Rina's Kitchen that featured Tel Aviv Street Food. We were thoroughly intrigued and entered. The walls were decorated with menu items in Hebrew lettering and had a large number of vegetable and dairy items as Jeff is a vegetarian. My wife loves Israeli food; so that was "the icing on the cake." We were seated by a lovely waitress, Julia, who was thoroughly engaging and suggested menu items to us. While perusing the menu we ordered drinks: Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Blue Moon Beer and a Red Wine. The drink menu also had cocktails named Dor Habomin and Metzitzim in addition to Canaan Cabernet Wine and Goldstar Israeli Lager Beer. We quickly added a mezes platter featuring: Garlic & Dill Feta, Coroccan Carrots, Beets & Honey, chickpea Tahini Salad, Babaganoush. Labneh& Za'atar, accompanied by Pita. We couldn't let the opportunity pass without trying Rina's Hummus. Our dish came with carrots, cucumbers, celery and pita for dipping. Everything was made fresh and was delicious. It reminded us of the food along the beach boardwalk behind "hotel row." It was on to the mains: No one was shy in ordering. Arlee had the Falafel Salad which came in a huge enameled-metal bowl accompanied by romaine lettuce, chickpea tahini salad, Israeli salad, feta, crispy chickpeas, sumac slaw, sunflower seeds, a boiled egg, and drizzled with Green Goddess-tahini dressing. There were enough falafel in the bowl (at least a dozen) to "choke a horse." Needless to say two-thirds came home in a take-away box that we'll have for lunch tomorrow. Bambi ordered the Grilled Salmon. This dish also served in a 11 inch bowl came in a fresh herb marinade with grilled seasonal veggies, labneh sauce on a bed of lemon dill rice. Jeff had two sides as his main: Falafel with tahini and schug and Rina's Rice with a choice of Baharat caramelized onions, herbs, or crispy shallots. Jeff chose the caramelized onions and waxed poetically about Rina's cooking skills and this savory dish. Not to be out-done, I ordered the Beef Kebab. My dish was prepared in tomato brown butter and paired with harissa, labneh, cilantro, grilled vegetables, turmeric rice with pomegranate seeds. I was in ecstasy as my platter could not have been better. For a new enterprise, this restaurant got off the ground running and should draw large crowds. They do not take reservations but that may change as it becomes better known. Arlee could not rave enough about this find. Try it; I guarantee that you will love it and will return time and again.
Maab S.
We got there and ordered a variety of dishes and were disappointed dish after dish . the food took forever to come out and was generally bland and badly seasoned. :(.
Amanda S.
Rina is a super cute low key Middle eastern spot in Avalon! I came for book club with some friends and really enjoyed the food, ambiance, and service. We started with the hummus which was an interesting butternut squash hummus. I had the steak kabob for my meal and also got to try some of the fries. I liked how well everything went together with the kabob, especially the sauces. I also feel like it was cheaper and I got the same amount of food as if I had gone across the street to Rumi's. Overall, I would highly suggest Rina for a nice quiet get together! They had a tahini and date milkshake that I was interested in as well, but didn't get up getting it bc I was pretty full.
Cheryl D.
This place is a gem. We have had nothing but great experiences both dining in and using delivery. It's always a tasteful treat. Don't miss their shakes.... Yum!
AnaL
We had a wonderful experience at Rina. The service was wonderful, kind and attentive. The food was so flavorful, aromatic and delicious! The wine was good too! We will certainly be back!
Inika W.
Overall a decent place if you're craving Israeli food while you're at Avalon. Everything was fresh and soft. I came in solo. The food and service is good. I just have two complaints - first the blue moon beer tasted watered down. Second - I thought I hadn't received my baba ghanoush. Upon asking the server, they're serving a black dip and calling it made from 'eggplant'. Tasted nothing like eggplant. It sounds like false advertising when the dip isn't actually baba ghanoush. The hummus felt water down too. It was runny.
John B.
Below mid, overpriced, service isn't bad. Just a weird place to eat. Better places in the area.
The service was great but the food needs serious attention. Chicken shawarma plate bore no resemblance to shawarma in terms of taste, looks and presentation whatsoever.The salmon was burned and dry. Hummus 0 was ok except only served with two tiny pieces of pita bread. They charge extra if you ask for more pita.
Millie H.
I ate here last night for the first time and it was absolutely phenomenal. I'm not usually a fan of Israeli food honestly but I was on a first date and he suggested it so I gave it a try. First of all the atmosphere is really great, very chill but also upbeat and lively. We started off with a couple of old fashioneds (which I'm really picky about). No one ever seems to get the amount of bitters and simple syrup ratio right but these were amazing. I ordered the falafel pita and hummus which were absolutely delicious. I'm also kind of picky with hummus and most ones I have tried don't really have a lot of flavor but this hummus was amazing. The crispy chickpeas were a great touch. Our server was absolutely wonderful and attentive and the manager stopped by our table and was the sweetest and chatted with us for a little while. Because of my great experience I'll definitely be coming back here and I'm so glad I gave it a try! I think I'm a fan of Israeli food now, but only from Rina!
Bradley S.
I went with my wife, daughter and mother-in-law for an early dinner on a Saturday. We've been very anxious to try this place since it opened. We ordered the 6 Mezze plate to split. Everything was very fresh and spiced just right. On top of everything else we ordered, we had enough to take home with us. My wife ordered the Street Fries topped with chicken Shawarma, and I ordered the Grilled Salmon. Mine came on top of a bed of lemon dill rice with seasonal vegetables and labneh sauce. I try to get salmon dishes very often, and it was honestly one of the best I've had in quite some time. I highly recommend giving this place a try!
Chrissy A.
Had high hopes for this place after seeing it on social media. Hummus was solid. When we went, they weren't making the burgers.. or the fish and chips which were the only 2 things my husband wanted. Ordered the beef kabob and it tasted like a long meatball.. rice was so dry and was hard to the bite. Portions were not worth the money. Service was ok. girl forgot our Diet Coke. Would not recommend to a friend.
Alex K.
Service was atrocious. Server couldn't care less about his customers and was absent most of the meal. Never checked up on the food, took forever to get simple things like water. For food, I ordered the Hummus No.0 and grilled salmon. Hummus tasted fresh but gave way too little pita. They charge extra for more pita. Grilled salmon was such a disappointment. The rice was undercooked, the salmon was burnt and dry, and the only vegetable they give is a whole green onion. From the service to the food, I do not recommend this place.
just about average mediterrean food..bit disappointed about how the chicken shawarma was more like thin shredded chicken nothing like shawarma from places i have had before..the yellow sauce used tasted delicious,loved it something called as amba...overall average ,not bad
Amazing hummus and drinks. Service is great and to-go window is in a prime location at Avalon.
We absolutely loved the food, and will be back for that very reason alone. The service was pretty good although a drink and a side never made it to our table and we were charged for the side as well as an extra pita bread that we did not order. Looking forward to returning.
We had gone to Avalon to see a movie and decided to stay on site for dinner. Walking from the theater, we noticed that Goldberg's Deli had been replaced by a new entrepreneurial venture Call Rina's Kitchen that featured Tel Aviv Street Food. We were thoroughly intrigued and entered. The walls were decorated with menu items in Hebrew lettering and had a large number of vegetable and dairy items as Jeff is a vegetarian. My wife loves Israeli food; so that was "the icing on the cake." We were seated by a lovely waitress, Julia, who was thoroughly engaging and suggested menu items to us. While perusing the menu we ordered drinks: Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Blue Moon Beer and a Red Wine. The drink menu also had cocktails named Dor Habomin and Metzitzim in addition to Canaan Cabernet Wine and Goldstar Israeli Lager Beer. We quickly added a mezes platter featuring: Garlic & Dill Feta, Coroccan Carrots, Beets & Honey, chickpea Tahini Salad, Babaganoush. Labneh& Za'atar, accompanied by Pita. We couldn't let the opportunity pass without trying Rina's Hummus. Our dish came with carrots, cucumbers, celery and pita for dipping. Everything was made fresh and was delicious. It reminded us of the food along the beach boardwalk behind "hotel row." It was on to the mains: No one was shy in ordering. Arlee had the Falafel Salad which came in a huge enameled-metal bowl accompanied by romaine lettuce, chickpea tahini salad, Israeli salad, feta, crispy chickpeas, sumac slaw, sunflower seeds, a boiled egg, and drizzled with Green Goddess-tahini dressing. There were enough falafel in the bowl (at least a dozen) to "choke a horse." Needless to say two-thirds came home in a take-away box that we'll have for lunch tomorrow. Bambi ordered the Grilled Salmon. This dish also served in a 11 inch bowl came in a fresh herb marinade with grilled seasonal veggies, labneh sauce on a bed of lemon dill rice. Jeff had two sides as his main: Falafel with tahini and schug and Rina's Rice with a choice of Baharat caramelized onions, herbs, or crispy shallots. Jeff chose the caramelized onions and waxed poetically about Rina's cooking skills and this savory dish. Not to be out-done, I ordered the Beef Kebab. My dish was prepared in tomato brown butter and paired with harissa, labneh, cilantro, grilled vegetables, turmeric rice with pomegranate seeds. I was in ecstasy as my platter could not have been better. For a new enterprise, this restaurant got off the ground running and should draw large crowds. They do not take reservations but that may change as it becomes better known. Arlee could not rave enough about this find. Try it; I guarantee that you will love it and will return time and again.
We got there and ordered a variety of dishes and were disappointed dish after dish . the food took forever to come out and was generally bland and badly seasoned. :(.
Rina is a super cute low key Middle eastern spot in Avalon! I came for book club with some friends and really enjoyed the food, ambiance, and service. We started with the hummus which was an interesting butternut squash hummus. I had the steak kabob for my meal and also got to try some of the fries. I liked how well everything went together with the kabob, especially the sauces. I also feel like it was cheaper and I got the same amount of food as if I had gone across the street to Rumi's. Overall, I would highly suggest Rina for a nice quiet get together! They had a tahini and date milkshake that I was interested in as well, but didn't get up getting it bc I was pretty full.
This place is a gem. We have had nothing but great experiences both dining in and using delivery. It's always a tasteful treat. Don't miss their shakes.... Yum!
We had a wonderful experience at Rina. The service was wonderful, kind and attentive. The food was so flavorful, aromatic and delicious! The wine was good too! We will certainly be back!
Overall a decent place if you're craving Israeli food while you're at Avalon. Everything was fresh and soft. I came in solo. The food and service is good. I just have two complaints - first the blue moon beer tasted watered down. Second - I thought I hadn't received my baba ghanoush. Upon asking the server, they're serving a black dip and calling it made from 'eggplant'. Tasted nothing like eggplant. It sounds like false advertising when the dip isn't actually baba ghanoush. The hummus felt water down too. It was runny.
Below mid, overpriced, service isn't bad. Just a weird place to eat. Better places in the area.
Restaurantji Recommends
The service was great but the food needs serious attention. Chicken shawarma plate bore no resemblance to shawarma in terms of taste, looks and presentation whatsoever.The salmon was burned and dry. Hummus 0 was ok except only served with two tiny pieces of pita bread. They charge extra if you ask for more pita.
I ate here last night for the first time and it was absolutely phenomenal. I'm not usually a fan of Israeli food honestly but I was on a first date and he suggested it so I gave it a try. First of all the atmosphere is really great, very chill but also upbeat and lively. We started off with a couple of old fashioneds (which I'm really picky about). No one ever seems to get the amount of bitters and simple syrup ratio right but these were amazing. I ordered the falafel pita and hummus which were absolutely delicious. I'm also kind of picky with hummus and most ones I have tried don't really have a lot of flavor but this hummus was amazing. The crispy chickpeas were a great touch. Our server was absolutely wonderful and attentive and the manager stopped by our table and was the sweetest and chatted with us for a little while. Because of my great experience I'll definitely be coming back here and I'm so glad I gave it a try! I think I'm a fan of Israeli food now, but only from Rina!
I went with my wife, daughter and mother-in-law for an early dinner on a Saturday. We've been very anxious to try this place since it opened. We ordered the 6 Mezze plate to split. Everything was very fresh and spiced just right. On top of everything else we ordered, we had enough to take home with us. My wife ordered the Street Fries topped with chicken Shawarma, and I ordered the Grilled Salmon. Mine came on top of a bed of lemon dill rice with seasonal vegetables and labneh sauce. I try to get salmon dishes very often, and it was honestly one of the best I've had in quite some time. I highly recommend giving this place a try!
Had high hopes for this place after seeing it on social media. Hummus was solid. When we went, they weren't making the burgers.. or the fish and chips which were the only 2 things my husband wanted. Ordered the beef kabob and it tasted like a long meatball.. rice was so dry and was hard to the bite. Portions were not worth the money. Service was ok. girl forgot our Diet Coke. Would not recommend to a friend.
Service was atrocious. Server couldn't care less about his customers and was absent most of the meal. Never checked up on the food, took forever to get simple things like water. For food, I ordered the Hummus No.0 and grilled salmon. Hummus tasted fresh but gave way too little pita. They charge extra for more pita. Grilled salmon was such a disappointment. The rice was undercooked, the salmon was burnt and dry, and the only vegetable they give is a whole green onion. From the service to the food, I do not recommend this place.