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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/33675/full/33675/golden-ball-gives-s-bay-a-kosher-bounce/ <br /><br /> <b>Golden Ball gives S. Bay a kosher bounce</b> <br /> Friday, October 26, 2007 | by stacey palevsky <br /><br /><p>The Aldi boys grew up helping their mother, Rivkah, and grandparents sell falafel at a kiosk in Beersheva. <br /><br /> So when brothers Eran and Rotem decided to open a restaurant in Santa Clara four months ago with the help of their parents and four other brothers, it seemed natural to name the restaurant after their signature savory dish: falafel that's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside — a bite of Israel.<br /><br /> "Everything is my mom's recipe," Rotem said of the Mediterranean-inspired menu.<br /><br /> Everything (except the bread, baklava and french fries) is homemade by Rivkah Aldi herself. The menu specializes in traditional Israeli food like shwarma, hummus, baba ghanouj and, of course, falafel. Prices range from $5 to $11.<br /><br /> Every Saturday, the family serves hamin (cholent). Sundays are occasion for Rivkah's couscous. <br /><br /> Although the Golden Ball serves only kosher food, and doesn't mix dairy and meat, it cannot get a rabbi to certify the food because the restaurant is open seven days a week. Nonetheless, Rotem is adamant about the food being kosher. The family displays the kosher tags of the meat in a wooden frame above the beverage case. <br /><br /> The restaurant is painted marigold and accented with oil paintings. Israeli music gives the restaurant a warm, comfortable vibe. "The atmosphere is just as important to me as the flavor," Rotem said. "We are talking Hebrew in the kitchen and playing Israeli TV in the café. A cultural experience is our main goal."<br /><br /> Eran and Rotem Aldi moved to the Silicon Valley 11 years ago. Gradually their brothers joined them and two years ago, Rivkah and Jack moved to be closer to their children. The brothers also own a moving business.<br /><br /> The summer has not been kind to Bay Area kosher eateries. Rafael's in Berkeley closed in August, and Izzy's Brooklyn Deli in Sunnyvale reopened in September as Izzy's Brooklyn Café after eliminating meat from its menu and turning dairy. Owner Israel Rind said he couldn't afford to keep the restaurant open and supervised with only five business days a week. <br /><br /> The Aldi family hopes the authenticity of the food and atmosphere will be enough to support a healthy business. Already they've attracted the local Israeli and Jewish community. Rotem has noticed that people often stay and socialize long after they're done eating. <br /><br /> "We want people to enjoy the food as much as they enjoy being here," Rotem said.<br /><br /> Golden Ball is located at 5075 Stevens Creek, Santa Clara. It is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is cash only.</p>

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