If location is the most important factor in real estate deals, it is also of great importance in the restaurant world. It is one of the reasons why Hayekev (The Winery) in Netanya remains popular around the world – with its magnificent views of the shimmering Mediterranean, swaying palm trees and ever-changing skies.
It is also their reputation for excellent and innovative food that keeps customers coming back.
We received a very warm welcome recently and were reminded of what a great restaurant Hayekev is – both the food and the service are up to standard.
Food and service meet the standard
When we arrived for lunch recently, the place was packed with families and couples of all ages. We asked for a quiet spot and were seated in the interior dining room, where the view is less spectacular but the atmosphere is less hectic.
For starters we chose halloumi cheese sticks with dips and garlic bread, also with dips.
The cheese was breaded and then deep-fried. It was certainly very tasty as a starter, but the chef could have put more effort into the dips – sweet chili sauce from a bottle and mayonnaise just aren’t enough.
Several small salads were also served – all very fresh and attractively presented. These included hummus with green tahini, beetroot, red pepper, eggplant and carrot. The garlic bread used to soften the salads was hot and the garlic toasted. My only complaint – not enough of the spicy herb – you can never have too much garlic.
My companion’s main course was the sea bass – two very nice, seared fillets with green beans, chopped salad and roasted cauliflower (NIS 129). He seemed very pleased with this generous amount of food and, as usual, left a spotless plate.
I chose the burrito because I’m pretty addicted to fresh cream in all forms. It’s a ball of thick mozzarella cheese filled with whipped cream and served on a pizza crust with artichoke hearts and roasted cherry tomatoes (79 NIS). How could this be anything but delicious?
We drank draft beer and shandy, as it seemed too early for wine, and, given the outside temperatures, a lot of ice water.
After that, we couldn’t even think about dessert, although Hayekev has some spectacular offerings in the price range of 45/47 NIS.
After finishing this very enjoyable meal, we said goodbye, drove as quickly as possible to the nearby parking lot to escape the scorching heat and drove off in the certainty of having enjoyed a truly exceptional meal.
- Hayekev
- Gad Machness 2, Netanya
- Open: Sun.-Thurs.: 8 a.m. – midnight
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Saturday: 20:00 – 24:00
- Phone: (09) 862-2220
- Kashrut: Rabbinate of Netanya
- Wheelchair accessible
The author was a guest of the restaurant.
