Champing at the Bit
Caprese croissant and cappuccino
Place: Mane’ge, Moshav Habonim
When: Wednesday, late morning
Environment: Mane’ge is yet another food truck plopped in an unused corner; this one is where the stables once were (hence the name), up against an old stone building. It has a vintage feel. Scattered around are picnic tables, tables with chairs, cushioned chairs, tables made of large spools, and a little corner for kids to play. There is shade above, created by large stretches of fabric, and a tree or two. Sabras are planted around the area, with banana plants against one side. The smell of moshav is in the air. The eclectic tables are decorated with similarly eclectic potted plants, herbs, and little pepper plants.
There is a chilled, friendly vibe to the place. It’s not crowded, but also not empty, with a handful of tables occupied at any given time. Mane’ge even offers a decent bathroom, despite its location in an adjacent parking lot. The menu has a neat gimmick: It offers a fixed number of types of sandwich, but then you pick how you want it: in a ciabatta, croissant, on a bed of wild rice, etc.
My Order: Caprese croissant (NIS 43) and small cappuccino (NIS 14)
The low-down: The coffee boasted a rich, milky flavor, without completely overpowering the bitterness of the coffee. The sandwich came in a buttery croissant, and was filled with super fresh-tasting basil. The croissant got a bit soggy from the mozzarella and tomato. A hint of balsamic was detectable in the mix as well. It was a fun twist on the usual caprese, but won’t be replacing it in the pantheon.
Who else was there: An older couple sat at a low table. He had hair just past his shoulders, transparent plastic framed glasses, a white t-shirt, and khaki shorts. She had frizzy hair, above her shoulders. The white was growing in at the top, while the bottom still showed its dye. She wore a light pink t-shirt, dark gray shorts, Hokas, and sported dangly earrings.
The two were locals, planning their day at a relaxed pace. They were debating heading over to their wine importer to place an order, since they were running low on Spanish wine. But it was a nice day, so they also toyed with the idea of a jaunt down to the beach instead. Ever since he retired from his fancy job in marketing, this is what their days look like (other than on the days when he gives corporate presentations, for a fee). They reap the fruits of years of hard work, becoming more and more entitled in the process. When they got up to leave, they left their dishes and remnants behind. Despite the sign requesting everyone to clear their tables to a central location, they were not the type used to cleaning up after themselves.
