Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Judy Asman
FINBARS ITALIAN KITCHEN
620 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 430-4303

Interesting place, Finbars. With rock n’ roll and sports paraphernalia featured on most of the walls, Finbars is Hard Rock Café meets collegiate sports bar. No complaints here. Obviously the joint is a fan of the “greatest rock band of all time,” an on-stage moniker given to the Rolling Stones in their movie “Gimme Shelter.” At Finbars, the adoration is made plain with a subtly placed mural featuring the band’s trademark tongue and the words, “It’s only rock n’ roll.” But Finbars isn’t all rock n’ ball kitsch. The central dining room, and another in the back, offer more privacy and refinement, while the rest of the place drowns in the sounds of lively chatter and images from large screen TVs, mostly airing sporting events and music television. The servers are enthusiastic and friendly and will deliver warm sourdough bread after you’re seated. For eats, Finbars incorporates California fusion with Italian favorites, offering everything from spaghetti with meatballs ($13.50) to nicoise salad ($9.50) to thin crust New York style seminola dough pizzas. The shrimp pesto pizza deliciously combines shrimp, fresh tomatoes, kalamata olives, homemade pesto, and sun dried tomatoes ($10.99). Check out the chic lounge decorated with black velvet drapes and leather couches. Metro Point, Costa Mesa location: (714) 641-3000.