What Israel Does Well (Beyond Tech)

Yossi Vardi-- the famous Israeli investor and entrepreneur (see right)-- insists that people give positive encouragement to start-ups. I plan to blog about the risks and benefits of this for TechCrunch, but as  people feel free to flame me ALL THE TIME, I can certainly see the merits! Also, Yossi is one of those guys like Roger McNamee: He may have crazy hair, (or in the case of this picture, a crazy hat) but I'd never question his general wisdom on a host of subjects.

So, Yossi, consider this post my homage to you: A list of things I've found that Israelis do incredibly well over the last two weeks of my visit that aren't in the tech category.

1. Wines. One of the best things about being a reporter is when I travel, part of my job is a ton of dinners, parties and lunches, and I have ordered only Israeli wines at each of them. I don't remember all the names (usually I let someone else pick) but I do remember Flam and The Cave. (Made a Plato joke when we ordered the latter a few nights ago that only my corny philosopher father would have laughed at.) According to a Twitter friend, Israeli Wine Direct is a great resource for Americans buying Israeli wines, and he's hosting an event in San Francisco in April!! I'll be attending if I'm in town. And, um, invited.

2. Flowers. They are stunning everywhere I go, and apparently Israel ships these flowers though out the world.

3. Cotton. Being from Memphis, Tenn. it seems weird to give Israel props for cotton, but I bought a beautiful cotton dress last time I was here, and I understand fashion designers here are known for designing with cotton. Unfortunately, I've been working too hard to go shopping, but I hope to remedy that before I leave town!

4. HOTEL SERVICE. Roi Carthy, the Israeli correspondent for TechCrunch, recommended the Hotel Montefiore, and I have absolutely blown away by everything about it. There are only about a dozen rooms, and each one is beautifully designed, with a full library of classics in English and Hebrew and art and design books. Everyone on the staff knows me by name, by my preferred wake up time, even by how I like my coffee. I've had some of the best meals in Tel Aviv here (which is saying something). The Wireless Internet is even pretty good. They've arranged cars for me everywhere at a moment's notice, and this morning, one guy even ran out and fetched a cappuccino for me because they don't have to go cups here, and I was running late. They look like they are going to cry if I lift my own bag. I can not say enough great things about this hotel, and I'm paying less here than I did for a hotel in Africa; FAR less than I've paid in New York, Paris or London for lesser experiences. It's so great, for such a great value, I worry they might go out of business! Please, if you come to Tel Aviv, do yourself a favor and go to the Montefiore and tell them I referred you because I plan on staying here every time I come to Israel and would like *even better* service, if possible.

And do yourself another favor: Order the crispy duck Vietnamese-style. The shrimp cocktail also makes a delectable snack even with the creepy eyes. (See left.) And by all means, if you have a cold or need comfort food, the Montefiore's club sandwich rivals any one I have ever had.  just polished one off in the lobby and a French woman walked across the restaurant and said "Sometimes you see someone eating so sweetly and enjoying it so much that it just moves you and you wish you were part of the experience." I'm not kidding. My last time in Tel Aviv, my hotel experience wasn't so great. But considering this post is an homage to Yossi, I won't name names.

5. Interior Design. I am not one of those architecture buffs that swoons at a Bauhaus building. So I don't particularly find the exterior of Tel Aviv compelling. But inside unassuming buildings you find a trove of stunning bars and restaurants that could rival any in Paris or Manhattan. (Below, a painting I found in a bar and wish I owned.)

6. Food and nightlife. Ok, so Tel Aviv actually gets huge cred for food and nightlife. But it's so rich, it bears another shout out.

7. Shedding Inhibition I think in the U.S. we're always concerned with "looking cool," even in Silicon Valley. This might be a KinnerNet thing, but everyone at the event felt safe to do absurd and wacky things and make complete fools of themselves without any fear of looking like a nerd. Ahem, photos of yours truly getting sucked up in just that below...