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There are very few places here that are still quite, where you can enjoy a fantastic day out, or a romantic evening and relax away from the main tourist areas, set in the beautiful location of Sahl Hasheesh located inside the Palm Beach Piazza is the small British run Fantinis Italian restaurant. Mick and Shirley Hills took the plunge as they fell in love with the stunning views and the beautiful sandy beach that is Sahl Hasheesh and chose to make major life changes, and move to Egypt to start a business. They bought their dream place in the sun.

The story starts here Mick & Shirley Hills came to Egypt 14 years ago and fell in love with all that is Egypt and returned many times doing the touristy bits: Nile cruises, Balloon flights, Pyramids, Red Sea resorts, etc. Then on a cold wet Sunday morning, in January 2006, Shirley spotted an advertisement in the newspaper properties for sale in Egypt. They sent off for more information and received a DVD showing the Sahl Hasheesh plans. They then visited the Excel centre in London and booked an inspection trip in early May. Mick & Shirley were met by a member of Resort Alliance and were shown Palm Beach Piazza. They walked to the top of the steps which had not been built at that time and both went "wow”! A one-bed apartment on the ground floor was duly purchased.

They visited Palm Beach Piazza in August 2006, then again in February 2007 and whilst walking along the old town, they contrived the restaurant idea. Returning to England they told their family and friends, who thought they had taken too much sun and had gone crazy. They returned again in May 2007 and were given the option of a plot in the old town on the third floor with amazing views over the bay: they took measurements and lots of pictures and trotted off back to the UK. They knew a designer and artist, who said he would like to design the restaurant. Having no experience at running a restaurant and the designer had never designed a restaurant they had to be crazy. The idea of an Italian restaurant came about as having eaten in many restaurants in Hurghada, and having not found a good Italian restaurant they felt there was room for improvement in the market. The name was easy as we have a dear old friend called Gino Fantini, who is a fantastic chef. They have known Gino for over 20 years and when they asked him if he would mind them naming the restaurant after him he said he would be pleased and offered his help in putting the menu together and giving them some authentic Italian recipes.

Again returning in November 2007 with their plans for the restaurant in the old town; this, however, changed on the first night as they met Ahmed Sawlky and his family (owner of the Palm Beach Piazza). Ahmed offered us the partly finished restaurant in Palm Beach Piazza right next door to our apartment (no commuting), a quick phone call to our designer, a change of plan of the new restaurant: the reply was "No problem, take some pictures". They returned to the UK handed in their resignations and then set about selling all their worldly goods. The rest is history........

The restaurant is beach front so the vista whilst dining or just enjoying refreshments on the cool shaded open terrace are truly spectacular. Fantinis has been decorated with care and comfort in mind and the air conditioned interior reminds me of the Italian vineyards and the oldie worldly vaulted wine cellars of Europe. The menu is all you would expect from a top Italian restaurant at affordable prices and much more. They have kept the menu simple but each dish is served using the highest quality fresh products sourced here in Egypt. They even bake their own oven fresh puffy white bread daily as Mick used to work for one of the largest bakeries in the UK. So whether you fancy steak, pizza, or pasta take a trip out to Fantinis. This is not just dining; it’s like having dinner with close friends.