For a glamorous evening out, there’s nothing quite like Finn’s Bay in Netanya. The setting is so gorgeous – right on the sea, which is visible past a set of stone archways. Until now, we had sampled only the breakfast. It was time to see what magic could be produced at dinner time.
Electronic menus are not my thing. I admit to being a dinosaur about anything remotely technical, so Shirelle, our lovely waitress, produced some rather faded sheets of paper with the menu printed on them.
We were assured by proprietor Yossi Shamir that new print menus are in the works.
Getting quality food at Finn’s Bay
Our first choice – fried cabbage and fish cigar – was not available. Never mind, I was able to drown my sorrows in a very good cocktail appropriately dubbed Pink Mama, which appealed to me, as my grandchildren call me that – not pink but Mama. For NIS 59, you get a mix of vodka and fruit juices, topped with edible flowers. Lovely drink!
We ordered focaccia, fish and chips, and pizza. The fresh loaf was covered in sun-dried tomato pieces and crumbled cheese and came with three dips: mayonnaise, salsa, and olive oil.
Nibbling on this starter, we waiting for the other food we had ordered and looked around at the other diners – quite a few tables were occupied – and enjoyed the stunning sea view.
The fish and chips soon arrived and proved to be a good choice (NIS 82). I think the fish was cod, and it was fried in a batter that was quite thin and crispy. The chips appeared to be the usual frozen variety.
On the side were three dips for the fries: mixed mayo and ketchup sauce; a spicy white dip; and red pepper salsa.
There were also three side dishes: an avocado dip; a creamy eggplant; and a good smooth hummus with spicy Turkish salad on top. Everything was freshly made and were great additions to the fish.
The pizza we ordered was a mushroom and truffle pizza (NIS 78). Unfortunately, it arrived cold, so I decided to take it home – there’s nothing worse than cold pizza. Warmed up, it was superb.
For dessert, we shared a very large piece of cheesecake, which was amplified with a butter-crumb base, fresh cream, and crispy tuiles on top. As delicious as it was sinful (NIS 56).
My companion also enjoyed a very good cappuccino, as the word “insomnia” is not in his vocabulary.
It was a lovely evening. And if the proprietors can solve the personnel problem – we were told they find it very difficult to get staff – they will be doing themselves a great favor.
- Finn’s Bay
- Blue Bay, Netanya
- Tel: 052-222-9578
- Sunday-Thursday, 8:45 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday night party night: 8:45 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Kashrut: Netanya Rabbinate
The writer was a guest of the restaurant.