Mariposa

Mariposa, Caesarea: one of the best kosher steaks in Israel, at the golf club

Mariposa sits at the Caesarea Golf Club, and it is one of those places where the setting, the service, and the food all pull in the same direction. We sat outside on the terrace looking straight out over the greens, and even on a hot day it was a beautiful spot for a long lunch. It works for a romantic date or a special occasion, and it works just as well for a family meal or a business lunch. Let me start with the steak, because it is the reason to come. I had a 500 gram entrecote, ordered medium, and honestly it is one of the best steaks I have had in Israel. It was cooked to perfection, the fat rendered exactly right, and it was a genuine pleasure to eat, generous and full of flavor. If you care about a proper kosher steak, this is a place to know. To start we had a white fish tartare that arrives more like a fresh chopped fish salad, loaded with vegetables and served with grilled sourdough. It was bright and good, though I would have liked a bit more fish in the mix. We also had the crispy cigars, which are a meat dish, filled with offal, liver, heart, and other internal parts, cooked nose to tail. They were tasty and full of flavor, though for the price I would have wanted another one or two on the plate. Small notes on an otherwise excellent meal. The service deserves a real mention. Our waitress was outstanding, warm, attentive, and responsive from start to finish, the kind of service that makes the whole experience feel special. On price, expect around 400 shekels per person. This is a high-end restaurant and it is priced like one, but between the steak, the setting, and the service, it earns it. One more useful thing: Mariposa also has private dining space for bigger events, so you can rent it out and have your own tables, your own bar, and the golf-course setting for an occasion. Bottom line: Mariposa is not just one of the best kosher restaurants in Caesarea, it is one of the best in Israel, and one of my top picks for a kosher date or a special celebration. Sit outside, order the entrecote, and take your time.