Shooshkasvili Bar - Tel Aviv Bar Restaurant Review

I obviously have no ideal how the name of the restaurant translates into English - or how to spell it phonetically. Regardless - Lior, myself and a friend visiting from the States wanted to go out for dinner - to an interesting neighbourhood and show our guest a good time. Neve Tzedic is a nice neighbourhood, with interesting architecture and funky boutique shops etc. Lior had received a recommendation from a friend (whose name I will not mention - but who is cut from giving us dining recommendations pretty much forever). Regardless, the restaurant is located in this area called 'the train compound' which looked very interesting (kind of reminds me of the Distillery District in Toronto) artsy and likely over priced. There was a sizable lineup at the place, lots of commotion and 'excitement'. We finally got a seat and I proceeded to glance over the menu (which was not available in English - yet oddly enough it was tourist central nigh which should have been our first hint that it was not a culinary hot spot). As I scanned the menu I got a feeling/used my spidie senses that it was much more of a bar - offering various types of beers - and less fixated great eats. I didn't want to make such a big deal about it(even thought I did doll out some sceptical faces during and after the meal) and detract from the lighthearted nature of going out to eat - but in retrospect I should have pushed it and went somewhere else. Long story short we ordered some communal apps - roasted red peppers, stuffed grape leaves, eggplant dip, and a loaf of bread (at the waitresses recommendation). The peppers were blatantly from a jar, the grape leaves (which were touted as home made delights) were 'fresh' out of a can, the eggplant dip was tasteless and the bread was so stale and unenjoyable that I asked to send it back (aka Im not paying for that shit) - which they agreed to do but stated that that was the style of the bread - 'stale'. Next were the mains - and I wasn't getting my hopes up too high at this point. I ordered a Corned Beef Sandwich which was as mediocre as it gets - edible for sure - but way too much mayo (whats new) and again there was a stale bread issue. Lior ordered the roast beef dish which was probably the most enjoyable thing we consumed. It was cooked well, tender, tasty, noting outrageous. And our guest ordered a salmon bruschetta on slices of baguette - which she said was nice although I think she was too polite to come out and food bastardize the dish - as Lior and I were in full on food bashing mode. Getting the bill was a nightmare of course - and we left unsatisfied and highly disappointed. So, if you must, go there for beer - and keep it simple. Final Judgement 3.2/10.