Jerusalemites like their cuisine geographically compartmentalized: Kurdish and Middle Eastern around the shuk, pan-Mediterranean cafés on Emek Refaim, falafel on Ben Yehuda and high-quality haute cuisine around Shlomtzion and Ben-Sira. Following in the footsteps of many very fine area restaurants guided by the idiosyncratic vision of a single chef (Katy Ohana at Katy's, Adi Cohen at Cielo) comes Zelda, whose kitchen is commanded by Noa Bichler.

Japanika, a popular Tel Aviv sushi chain recently opened a new location on Shlomtzion Hamalka Street. Japanika's elegant décor and hip ambiance meld well with its Shlomtzi neighbors, and diners will be pleased with the extensive selection of kosher Japanese delicacies. If the sushi was a hit with those refined Tel Aviv palates, after all, it must be good.

It's hard to tell whether Hamarakiya is extremely popular or just extremely small (perhaps both) – either way, it's almost impossible to get a seat without a long wait unless you arrive the minute it opens. The décor could generously be described as "eccentric," with knick-knacks and objets d'art covering every available surface. A different soup is served every day, although there are regular menu items as well, including an excellent shakshuka (tomato and egg stew).