Want Steak? Visit Tibi’s, near the Galilee

It took a journey to the northern fringe of the Sea of Galilee for me to discover a place the place the expertise was full in very sense of the phrase: not a single niggle to complain about. Very often, regardless of how good the meals, one is concerned by a secondary element that detracts from the gestalt – an annoying soundtrack, for instance, or a thermostat set to freezing. At Tibi’s Steakhouse and Bar, nevertheless, all the things within the ambiance was good: the good-looking rustic decor, the comfy leather-based chairs, the air-con set to the perfect temperature, the superb music enjoying at simply the appropriate quantity, and a pleasant and educated waitress with good English. Events of all sizes will discover each conceivable measurement and form of desk; there may be additionally al fresco seating on a picket deck.

Tibi’s is called not after proprietor Ro’i, however fairly Chef Haim Tibi, who was recruited to helm the kitchen of the reconstituted restaurant eight years in the past. Chef Tibi was beforehand featured in these pages when the paper reviewed his short-lived Tel Aviv restaurant, Conflict. 

There are literally two separate wine lists curated by the home sommelier. The intensive record of wines by the bottle – all however the champagnes from Israeli wineries – is accompanied by a shorter record (in Hebrew solely) of 11 wines by the glass (NIS 38-58). The latter are served from two spectacular, imported Enomatic machines, which protect the flavour of wines from pre-opened bottles. 

The menu’s six sections (excluding the home focaccia) are: Earlier than the Meat (NIS 47-59), From Tiran’s Ranch (salads utilizing natural, hydroponic, native greens, NIS 56-67), Handmade Pasta (NIS 56-105), Neither Steak nor Pasta (NIS 110-135), Hamburgers (NIS 56-65), and Tibi’s Steakhouse (NIS 175-195). All cuts are meticulously aged on the premises, a course of one could glimpse within the refrigerated show case on the entrance. 

Our first entrée was the Artichoke Roman-style: asparagus spears and artichoke hearts roasted in a sauce of butter with garlic confit and truffle oil. The scrumptious al dente greens have been enhanced by the wealthy however not cloying sauce, in addition to delicate shavings of aged Parmesan cheese. 

Subsequent have been the home made beef sausages we had spied getting older together with the steaks. The preliminary bites of the sausages have been unremarkable, however the refined seasoning slowly kicked in, steadily filling our mouths with satisfying taste. The condiments – cooked cabbage, two sorts of Dijon mustard and home made ketchup – supplied a further welcome dimension. 

The steaks at Tibi’s are all beneficiant (500 grams) cuts of prime beef, except the smaller filet mignon. There’s additionally one lamb choice, which is quickly unavailable, as its provide from Australia has been interrupted. 

Every of the six steaks listed on the menu deserves an in depth description, together with really useful levels of grilling (from uncommon to a most of medium-well). Conspicuous by its absence was the entrecôte, which is usually provided as a particular. 

My companion selected the filet mignon – a stunning medallion grilled simply the way in which she requested: extraordinarily uncommon. It was not solely melt-in-the-mouth tender, she proclaimed it the most effective filet she had ever tasted, anyplace. 

I selected the prime rib, which is served on the bone. My minimize was marbled to the max, yielding a terrifically succulent and flavorful steak that nonetheless referred to as for some fat-trimming.

We sampled all three of the steak sauces – peppercorn with brandy and cream, mushroom with cream and beef inventory, and demi-glace – however frankly, the meat was higher with none of them. Our sides of garlic roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes – so creamy they have been the feel of polenta – have been each spot on. 

The bilingual dessert menu contains 5 desserts (NIS 45-49) and several other rotating flavors of home made ice cream (NIS 12-26), all ready in-house by a devoted pastry chef. The lemon tart with pistachio meringue and raspberry coulis was excellent, whereas the Sneakers (sic) Fudge was a decadent chocolate-peanut-caramel creation true to the Snickers sweet bar that conjures up it. 

 Dessert was washed down with nice espresso, served comme il faut with a small chaser of soda. Certainly, the service all through the meal was attentive {and professional}. 

 A feast at Tibi’s is within the realm of what one would rightly name a splurge – however no less than, with the finished community of Galilee highways, not one whose geographical location is as daunting because it as soon as was once. 

Tibi’s Steakhouse and Bar 

Not kosher

Vered HaGalil Visitor Farm 

Tel. (04) 633-0885 

The author was a visitor of the restaurant.