Friday afternoon, wine in a glass, and kubba in the pot: Cue changes the game

For a while, we’ve been used to thinking of Cue as a quintessential Tel Aviv evening and night spot – low lighting, precise music, and plates served in rhythm. Now, just before Shabbat begins, Cue shifts gears: Starting from February 13, the place has been opening for the first time on Friday afternoons, offering a new and surprising version of early leisure – one that starts in daylight and feels just right.

The concept is called Daylight Drinking, designed exactly for that moment when the weekend vibe begins. Between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM, Cue turns on the speakers, heats the pans, and invites the crowd to welcome Shabbat in a less conventional way: Good wine, fine alcohol, food that speaks the language of sharing and tasting – all without the pressure of nighttime.

At the center of the experience is an alcohol menu especially expanded for the afternoon hours. Alongside a larger-than-usual wine selection, there will also be options for half-glasses – a move that allows tasting more without committing. Alongside them, vermouth and amaro carafes will be served, perfect for Friday sun and the hours when everything is still open. The idea is simple: Not a quick outing, not a heavy meal, but a transitional time to sit, drink, nibble, and stay exactly as long as you like.

Alongside the alcohol, Chef Ben Cohen has created a dedicated, lighter menu. One that pairs perfectly with wine and the desire to taste as much as possible. The menu includes: Starters and a bread dish for each guest, oysters and elegant fish by weight, hot dishes such as dashi noodles with egg yolk, tempura fish with caviar and chips, and a rotating selection of yakitori – from charred lemon chicken to miso trout.

But the real highlight is one dish, unapologetically served only on Friday afternoons – and for a few hours only. A home-style dish by Ben Cohen, it comes in a single pot, for a few hours, and until it’s gone. No promises, no repeats.