STOP PRESS: 2021 Mallorca’s only 2-Michelin-star restaurant, Zaranda has moved to Es Princep Hotel in Palma.
Last evening saw the Oscars ceremony of the Spanish and Portuguese gastronomic world. It was the launch – and 110th anniversary – of the Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2020, which took place in the Teatre Lope de Vega in Seville.
As usual, the new stars were announced, from one star to three, with each chef coming onto the stage to collect their new chef’s jacket, bearing the coveted Michelin macaron or rosette, indicating a star. Amongst those who came up to the stage was chef Álvaro Salazar, collecting the first star for Voro – the fine-dining restaurant of the Park Hyatt Mallorca in Canyamel.
Chef Álvaro Salazar had previously been at Argos in Puerto Pollensa which, like Voro, won a star in its first season. The Boss and I ate at Voro in June this year and I chose it as my Restaurant of the Week on Mallorca Sunshine Radio. (Read more about it below).
There were no other new stars awarded in Mallorca, but the following retained previously awarded stars: Marc Fosh, Adrian Quetglas, Es Racó d’es Teix, Maca de Castro, Andreu Genestra, and Es Fum – all with one star; Zaranda, with two stars. Once again, there are several excellent restaurants on the island that were overlooked when it came to stars. Next year, maybe?
VORO
Maitre Mario (left) with chef Alvaro Salazar
When the smart restaurant VORO opened this year at the 5-star Park Hyatt Mallorca, in Mallorca’s northeast resort of Canyamel, there was no doubt that the cuisine would be exceptional. This fine-dining restaurant has a talented young team in the kitchen, led by chef Álvaro Salazar.
The Andalusian chef’s culinary awards include Chef of the Year 2017, from the association of Balearic gastronomy journalists, and Cocinero del Año 2018 at the Feria Alimentaria de Barcelona. Álvaro describes his cuisine, based on high-quality seasonal local products and showing Andalusian influences, as free spirited.
Álvaro and his entire team left Argos to open VORO, where the environment better reflects the high standard of gastronomy and service. The dining room’s décor is sophisticated but unfussy and comfortable. Modern art hangs on the walls; the floor is of dark wood and attractive hydraulic tiles, and the lighting is stylish. The main dining room seats around sixteen diners and only one table was vacant on the Tuesday we visited. A huge table in a separate area is ideal for groups of up to 12 diners.
Open for dinner only, the adults-only VORO offers a choice of two well-balanced tasting menus: the 11-course VORO and 15-course DEVORO. We chose the 11-course version and each dish thrilled us with its exquisite presentation, textures, and flavours. Every dish was explained at the table by a member of the pleasant service team. Restaurant director Mario Wolgast is charming and speaks perfect English. He explained that the menus evolve with the seasonality of the ingredients. The dishes pictured below are just a few from our VORO tasting menu.
VORO offers around 100 wine references in an impressive list; the intention is to more than double this number. Can’t choose? Opt for one of the two well-chosen wine pairings.
Prices here do reflect the luxurious setting and high standard of gastronomy and service, but if you’re looking to impress someone, are celebrating a special occasion, or relish memorable dining experiences, dinner at VORO ticks all the boxes.
And now, Voro has a Michelin star for 2020; I wasn’t at all surprised to see Álvaro step onto the stage to collect his jacket. Congratulations to the whole VORO team – and to all the other Michelin-starred restaurants in Mallorca. What an amazing gastronomic destination this island is.
Jan Edwards ©2019
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