Eat Drink Sleep Mallorca

El Camino is a Must-Visit for Tapas in Palma

March 6, 2024

Eat

If you’ve eaten in London at the Spanish restaurants Fino and Barrafina, I think you’ll enjoy El Camino in Palma. The owner of this smart tapas restaurant in Mallorca’s capital is Eddie Hart, one of the brothers behind those successful London restaurants.

Eddie spent many childhood and teenage summer holidays at his family’s second home here on the island. Who can blame him for moving from London to the slower-paced life of beautiful Mallorca? It seemed a brave move for an Englishman to open a tapas restaurant in Palma but Eddie’s stylish eatery has become one of the must-go places in a city that’s not short of good restaurants. We’ve eaten here countless times and I really don’t know why I haven’t blogged about it before (although El Camino has been my Restaurant of the Week on Mallorca Sunshine Radio).

El Camino is a few steps away from the Passeig des Born, where you’ll find stores like Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Louis Vuitton. Take the pedestrianised lane Carrer de Can Brando to find El Camino. Depending on the time of day, people may be waiting outside for vacant seats at the marble-topped oak counter. It’s worth the wait.

The Place

El Camino’s visual appeal is obvious. The attractive, elegant décor is the work of interior designer Elsa Olivera of Elsa O Studio. The warm lighting and use of mirrors make clever use of the narrow space. I like the thoughtful touch of adding hooks under the counter so you can hang a bag or your jacket while you’re seated.

This is mainly a sit-at-the-counter tapas restaurant, where you’re on a comfortable high chair with a ‘ringside’ seat of the culinary action. El Camino is gastronomic theatre: the players are those cooking, plating, and serving behind the counter, while we are the audience watching what looks like a choreographed performance of the friendly El Camino team members as they go about their work, and enjoying the delicious results. An encore is often necessary as the menu has so many tempting choices!

The Food & Wine

The menu is printed on paper placemats on the countertop and a separate list shows the day’s specials. The Mediterranean cuisine is made from carefully sourced produce. This is a place to share dishes – the more the merrier (go hungry). On our last visit, we ate pimientos de Padrón, salt cod fritters (yum!), ceviche, queen scallops – probably my favourite dish there – and succulent, meaty lamb chops from Burgos.

After The Boss and I had eaten all that food, dessert didn’t seem possible. But we did manage to share the small dish of hazelnut and chocolate spheres as an accompaniment to coffee, which was perfect to end lunch at El Camino.

Wines are Spanish and some special ones from Mallorca. There’s one for all tastes and budgets here, including Vega Sicilia at the top end of the price range. Only the top-end wines are not available by the glass. I enjoyed the freshness of the Friki Verdejo and Mallorcan winery Oliver Moragues’s delicious red, El Galgo.

Good to Know

El Camino is open daily (except Sundays and Mondays), 13:00h-16:00h & 18:00h-22:45h

Are you on Instagram? So are El Camino and eatdrinksleepmallorca.

You can now book for El Camino up to three months in advance here.

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Review of Mallorca’s Shine Spa by Sheraton

February 26, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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Sleep / Spas

*The outdoor pool at the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel*

The Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel is set on the verdant, hillside area of Mallorca known as Son Vida. It overlooks the island’s capital and the Bay of Palma beyond and has been described as the Beverley Hills of Mallorca because of its allure for the wealthy.

Here’s where you’ll find architect-designed villas with sumptuous gardens, all enjoying breathtaking views and privacy. The owners of these properties have fairly easy access to a highway all the way to Palma Airport, which has a thriving private jet base.

Hotel Overview

Son Vida is also home to golf courses and two luxury, 5-star* places to stay: Castillo Hotel Son Vida and the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel. The latter is a true resort hotel, with 93 rooms and suites, lush gardens, a large outdoor swimming pool, a family pool, two new tennis courts, the new Arabella Kids & Tweens Club, Fitness Pavilion with Technogym equipment, and the Shine Spa.

Son Vida Golf – a mere club swing away from the Sheraton’s restaurant terrace – was the first golf club to open in Mallorca. Close by are the 18-hole Son Quint and Son Muntaner courses, making the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel a golfer’s paradise.

Golf is not my bag but you can sign me up for a spa anytime. And the Sheraton Mallorca is home to the well-managed Shine Spa by Sheraton, where I spent the day last Wednesday.

The Wet Facilities at Shine Spa

This spacious, modern, and natural light-filled spa has a large, heated indoor pool, whirlpool, steam room, sauna, showers (including overhead ice tub), and plenty of loungers and chairs in the pool area. Spa users have the use of a locker, in which a bathrobe, slippers, and a towel are provided. There’s no shortage of fresh towels around the pool area should you need more.

Just a few of the places to relax n the spa

A water dispenser with reusable glasses will help you keep hydrated but if you want other drinks, these can be arranged by the spa reception team. Incidentally, I found the whole spa team to be helpful and friendly.

Treatments at the Shine Spa

Olimpia and her magical hands ready to treat me

Shine Spa has four individual and one couple’s treatment rooms. In addition, a spacious Thai massage room has opened where the hotel’s golf shop used to be.

The treatment list includes eight facials, 11 massages (including reflexology and reiki), and six body treatments. Also on offer are packages, mani- and pedi treatments, waxing, and make-up.

The treatments at Shine Spa are based on products by Germaine de Capuccini – a company established in 1964 and known for its innovation in skincare technology. A range of these products is available for sale in the spa.

I had a facial from the Mallorcan therapist, Olimpia, whose hands felt as though they were working magic on my skin. It truly was the most relaxing facial I’ve had, enhanced by lying on a heated treatment bed. Bliss.

I floated back to my lounger for some more relaxation by the pool, then showered and changed to have some late afternoon tapas and a glass of wine in the hotel’s restaurant, La Bodega del Green. It wasn’t warm enough to sit outside on the large terrace that day but it looks an appealing place to eat when the weather allows.

I left Shine Spa by Sheraton glowing and renewed. And those are just how a spa day should make you feel.

Offers for Local Residents

Residents of the Balearics can enjoy a choice of special deals at this hotel. Click here.

You can become a member of the Shine Spa & Gym: Four durations of subscriptions are available, starting at 115€ per person per month. In the changing room, I got chatting to an American who lives near the hotel and told me she uses the spa almost daily with her subscription.

Good to Know

Shine Spa is open from 08:00h to 20:00h; treatments are available from 10:00h. Children are not allowed in after 18:00h.

La Bodega del Green is open from 12:00h to 22:00h. As well as the different lunch and dinner menus (the latter offered from 18:00h), there are tapas and a separate gluten-free menu.

Free parking is available in one of the bays just outside the hotel gates.

See the website here.

Mallorca now has 65 hotels with 5 stars, with more to open in 2024.

What’s New at Finca Can Beneït – 2024

February 19, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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Sustainability rules at Finca Can Beneït

For the third year running, we spent our wedding anniversary (coinciding with Valentine’s Day) at Mallorca’s hideaway, rural 5-star hotel, Finca Can Beneït. This was our fourth visit in total to this beautiful property in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serra de Tramuntana, and each time we’ve found enhancements to the guest experience.

The Arrival

The first enhancement we noticed this year was the installation of a gate at the entrance to the finca. Press the button and the gate slides open and by the time you’ve parked your car, a member of the hotel staff has arrived to carry your luggage and escort you to the hotel reception desk. This makes the welcome feel even warmer – especially for first-time visitors.

The Mirabona Restaurant Terrace

Our stay began with a glass of cava on the terrace (February has been very mild in Mallorca this year). The dining area of the terrace has a new covering for shade, discreet (but effective) heaters for the cooler months, and attractive wooden overhead fans for the summer. We also spotted some new tableware at breakfast time.

The Toiletries

This year the toiletries in guest rooms have been upgraded to Barcelona’s Natura Bissé brand – it’s a delicious treat to use these luxurious products.

The Panorama Suite

The most impressive enhancement at Finca Can Beneït is the appropriately named Panorama Suite. On the upper floor, this totally renovated suite looks over the swimming pool and has dreamy views of the mountains against which the hamlet of Binibona is nestled.

The bedroom has new glazed doors onto the huge terrace, with two outdoor armchairs and two loungers. I could probably spend a week there just admiring the view and watching the plants grow on the newly planted roof garden in front of the suite.

The suite measures 80sqm, with a lounge area, large bathroom (with bath and shower), and separate bedroom. A Velux roof window was installed during the renovation, providing natural light over the desk in the lounge area. What a space to write in! A telescope is thoughtfully provided for spectacular views of the unpolluted night skies here.

We didn’t stay in the Panorama Suite but owner Toni Duran gave us a tour of the upgraded suite. My verdict? It’s gorgeous. Finca Can Beneït’s Panorama Suite would be a dreamy place to stay on a honeymoon.

Complimentary Activities

The following complimentary guest activities continue at Finca Can Beneït:

Wine tasting on a Wednesday evening with English sommelier, Amy Dunn. Amy is an engaging speaker and has an infectious enthusiasm for wines – as well as impressive knowledge. For interesting information about wines, you can follow Amy’s Instagram account tastingwithamy.

Finca Can Beneït has two e-bikes and four touring bikes for guest use. There are some pretty country lanes around for cycling.

Complimentary yoga classes take place three times a week.

Lunch in the Campanet Countryside: Ses Coves

February 12, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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Several times last summer I tried to book a table for dinner at Ses Coves in the Campanet countryside. I’d read and heard a lot about the place so it was no surprise that it was always full when I tried to make a reservation. The answer? Eat out of season – which we did recently, booking our lunch only the day before we wanted to go.

Ses Coves – as the name suggests – is adjacent to the Caves of Campanet at the foot of the Puig Sant Miquel, overlooking a picturesque valley with extensive views. The location is fantastic but the main reason for the popularity of Ses Coves restaurant is its reputation for carefully sourced, high-quality meat and fish. And it’s all expertly cooked over the embers of an almond-wood fire in an open kitchen at the rear of the restaurant by chef Josep Joan Segura (his friends call him ‘Jota’ – the Spanish word for the letter ‘J’) who owns both businesses with his wife Paloma. Sustainability is a guiding principle for the couple, who source the wood and some of the produce they use from their land.

Quite a few stone steps take you from the car park up to the restaurant and the cave entrance. My delight at finally arriving here was enhanced by the sight of the finca’s two beautiful cats.

Before you reach the restaurant entrance, there’s a small terrace where visitors to the caves can enjoy a refreshment from the inevitable shop. On the other side of the restaurant is the large terrace with gorgeous views, where dinner is served during the warmer months.

The same views are available from the dining room, which seats around 30 people. The tables have linen cloths and napkins, and rustic-looking ceramics made by the über-talented Mallorcan chef and artist, Santi Taura (who, like several chefs from the island, likes to eat here). Motown tunes played in the background at a level that didn’t hinder conversation.

Ses Coves’s website does not show the menu – although there are tempting photos – so I should warn you that the high quality of the produce used here comes at a commensurate price. You can’t easily see what you’ll spend on a meat or fish dish because the prices are shown on the menu by weight (by 100g for fish and by the kilo for meat). The drinks, starters, and desserts are not expensive for the quality of the place, but main course prices may surprise you.

Let me say that the quality of the meat and fish and the expert grilling over the embers of an almond wood fire result in a memorable foodie experience. Keen carnivores will appreciate the dry-aged Galician beef chops from Cárnicas LyO, a company that supplies meat to some of Spain’s top restaurants. You’ll probably pay upwards of 98€ per kilo, depending on your choice of meat.

What We Ate at Ses Coves

We started our lunch with good, warm bread – from a bakery in nearby Búger – with delicious smoked butter (EVOO was also an option).

From the eight shareable starters (three of which featured Mallorcan red prawns), we shared a tasty dish of mixed mushrooms, charcoal-grilled aubergine, grilled pork belly, and Joselito jowl (24,10€).

We weren’t quite hungry enough for a large beef chop, but prefer fish anyway. The Boss ordered yellow grouper from Mallorca (9€ per 100g). I had ‘virrey’ – a deep-water fish from Galicia (16€ per 100g). Both were cooked to perfection and enjoyed with a shared, heaping plate of French fries (9,50€).

We ended with almond ice cream and, for me, a delicious almond coulant with a perfect oozing centre that I’d love to recreate at home.

The wine list has a good choice of Mallorcan, national, and international wines at a broad range of prices, with some by the glass. We paid 5€ for a generous glass of Sincronia from Mesquida Mora, and 4,70€ for the young wine, Eloi, from Toni Gelabert.

Verdict

A memorable and delicious lunch in a beautiful location, at a cost that exceeded our usual eating-out budget. For us, this means our next visit will be for a special occasion. And will be booked well in advance.

Good to Know

Ses Coves has a Solete in the Guía Repsol.

Opening hours are currently Wednesday to Saturday from 1pm to 3.30pm. In summer, Ses Coves opens for dinner only from Tuesday to Saturday from 7.30pm.

The fascinating caves were discovered by accident in 1945, and are worth a visit. The old steps within can be slippery so appropriate footwear is recommended.

If you book online, the Ses Coves reservation form will request your card details, as protection against a possible ‘no show’. This requirement is becoming more common in Mallorca but money is not taken at the time of booking.

Jan Edwards @2024

Nº11 is Number One in Port d’Andratx

February 5, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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Drink / Eat

I’ve occasionally been asked for a restaurant recommendation in Port d’Andratx, in the southwest of Mallorca. Until recently, I wasn’t aware of any stand-out places to eat there – despite plenty of eateries. This is partly because we live north of Manacor, so I always want to be sure that any restaurant at a distance will be worth the time and the fuel cost to get there.

*The front terrace with optional covering*

Well, I now have a great recommendation for an eatery in charming Port d’Andratx: it’s called Nº11. We visited on a day when we had an appointment in Palma Nova, so it was only another 20km drive to the fishing port we hadn’t visited for several years.

The Place

The gastrobar Nº11 – opened in 2021 – is in the premises formerly occupied by Romeo’s. It has a corner position with a terrace area at the front, a first-floor lounge, and a rooftop terrace with extensive views of the bay and surrounding hills. We sat in the covered area of the terrace, which has heaters for the winter months.

Englishman Daniel Verrier is at the helm of Nº11. Although his previous career was in TV commercial production, hospitality is in his genes: until last October, his parents owned the Port d’Andratx Italian restaurant Verico (which I admit I didn’t try and should have).

Family man Daniel moved from London to Mallorca for a better quality of life and seems to be in his element at Nº11, where he has a small, friendly team managed by an outgoing Ecuadorian, also called Daniel.

The Culinary Concept

Here is where Nº11 stands head and shoulders above other eateries in Port d’Andratx. The menu was created by the renowned Singapore-born, Australia-raised chef Bonnie Han – best known for the Southeast Asian restaurant Nama in Deià. The influential chef Bonnie has also worked her culinary magic on the menus at Koh and Canela in Palma and created a unique menu for Nº11 with influences from Asia and Europe. Nº11’s two chefs produce these dishes in a surprisingly small kitchen where there’s barely room to swing a spatula.

The Menu

The menu is sectioned into: Bites, Small Plates, Bigger Plates, Sides, and Desserts. This is the perfect place to share several dishes – which is just as well as everything sounds tempting. Three of us were at the table that day, so we were able to try more dishes than we’d have had as a couple.

Here’s what we ate:

*Kaitafi-wrapped prawns with whipped avocado, wasabi, and ginger*

My favourite dishes? The sepia (cuttlefish) and sobrasada (not pictured due to my techie hitch!), which was a revelation; hoisin duck rolls (packed with duck and flavour), and the crowd-pleasing Massaman lamb shank pie (I do love a bit of puff pastry). The side-order potatoes were unlike any I’d had before – a definite must. The chocolate cake is surely the food of the gods – not that I had more than a spoonful. Remember the famous line from Friends, ‘Joey doesn’t share.’? When it comes to chocolate cake, neither does my husband. My pal and I just weren’t quick enough with our spoons.

The Drinks

Mixologist Andres is from Argentina and is so passionate about his work that he even has a tattoo of a cocktail glass on his neck. Cocktails are THE thing here, although there’s also a good choice of wines, including ten from the Nº11 Cellar that will appeal to serious wine enthusiasts. Because I was driving, Andres offered to surprise me with a non-alcoholic cocktail, a Gin Basil Smash made with alcohol-free gin (left). It was refreshing and delicious. As was the second one.

Choose from Andres’s signature or classic cocktails or the fun option of Cocktail Roulette.

Verdict

Looking to eat in southwest Mallorca (or just sip a creative cocktail and soak up some gorgeous Mediterranean views)? With its great location, welcoming team, fun vibes, exciting cocktails, and most of all, delicious, different food, Nº11 has become my number one spot to recommend in Port d’Andratx.

Good to Know

The roof terrace – perfect for those awesome sunset shots – and first-floor lounge are also bookable for private events.

Follow Nº11 here on Instagram

A Port de Pollença Favourite: Stay Restaurant

January 30, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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Looking for a restaurant in Mallorca that’s open all year – and is right by the Mediterranean? Stay Restaurant in Port de Pollença fits the bill. This restaurant has been a magnet for visitors and locals since 1972, although it looks different today thanks to a major renovation in 2006. Eighteen years on, it still looks contemporary.

I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve eaten at Stay over the past twenty years. We’ve been with family, friends, and on our own. And we’ve never had a bad experience. We usually visit out of the peak season, when it’s easier to secure a table on the large terrace. Awnings provide shade when needed and overhead heaters provide some warmth on those days when required. Views of the Bay of Pollença and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains beyond the resort add to the enjoyment of a table on the terrace.

Indoors you’ll find a smart and large, modern dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows for those views.

Stay Restaurant is open most of the day and has different menus depending on the time of day. We’ve been for coffee in the mornings and tapas and a glass of something in the afternoons, but it’s the set menu we draws us there most.

This menu changes every week and is offered at lunchtime and for dinner. There’s a choice of four starters, three main courses, and a dessert. The meal begins with a complimentary appetizer, bread roll, and extra virgin olive oil. Also included is a carafe of still or sparkling water, a bottle of red, white, or rosé wine (per two people), coffee, and a silky home-made chocolate. All of this for just 39,50€ per person. The price has risen by only 2€ since 2019.

What We Ate

Our complimentary appetizer was a shot glass of pumpkin soup topped with coconut foam.

From the four starters, I chose Indonesian prawns and vegetable satay. The Boss had beef carpaccio with tempura mushrooms and pesto vinaigrette.

From the three main courses, we chose Mallorcan-style rabbit with onions, vegetables, and potatoes, and sliced, sautéed beef with mushrooms, crème fraîche, and baked potatoes. Quite a bit of tempura can be spotted on dishes here on this mainly Mediterranean menu.

Desserts are made on the premises, rather than bought in (another point in Stay’s favour), and ours was a moreish coffee parfait with red fruits.

The service is reliably efficient – perhaps because most of the waiting staff members have worked here for several years.

Good to Know

Vegans and children have the benefit of their own menus at Stay Restaurant, and you’ll find all the menus on the Stay website here.

Stay Restaurant has a special Valentine’s Dinner Menu of four courses plus appetizer, coffee and home-made chocolate, and wine, for 60€.

GPS N 39º54’14”
E 03º04’58”

Where to Eat in Felanitx – Estragon La Plaça

January 22, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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General

When we first bought our rural Mallorca property in 2002, our finca’s previous owners helpfully left us a list of their favourite local eateries. Some of the restaurants on the list no longer exist but one we used to visit often is back in business – albeit with different owners, interior, and food concept.

That restaurant is Estragon La Plaça in Felanitx. When we used to eat there, Anna and her husband, who was the chef, owned and ran it. They were there for more than 15 years until they sold the place.

Current Owners Since November 2023

Since the beginning of November 2023, Felix Passow and his wife Vivien have owned Estragon La Plaça, having moved from near Berlin to Mallorca to take over this restaurant in a quiet corner of Felanitx. I saw a friend’s enthusiastic Instagram post after eating there and made a reservation.

We never had a problem parking at Estragon and found a space just steps from the front door. A few terrace tables are at the front for warmer months. Inside, we spent several minutes admiring the change to a more modern décor since our last visit. Large artworks hang on the wall – and are for sale, if you see one you fancy and have enough wall space at home. A novel and eye-catching way of storing wine bottles above the bar is a talking point. The restaurant felt comfortable and welcoming, with background music that wasn’t intrusive.

The Food at Estragon

Once we’d settled at our table near one of the windows at the front, one of the two young female servers brought over a blackboard menu. The choice of dishes is just enough to know that everything is made on the premises. Felix told us that there are small changes to the menu every three to four days. He’s very hands-on and told us he loves his new role in hospitality.

The German chef René Neuber worked here with the restaurant’s previous owners (another German couple who had the place for less than a year). René has been on the island for twenty years so has well-established relationships with his food suppliers.

What We Ate

Dinner at the ‘new’ Estragon got off to a great start with its delicious sourdough bread, supplied by a baker in Campos. With a good crumb and crust, this moreish bread was served warm.

We shared a starter of beetroot, pear, walnuts, and gently baked goat’s cheese – delicious! (16€). From the seven main course dishes, we had fillet of corvina (croaker) with a quinoa and mushroom risotto (29€), and tender, slow-cooked Iberian pork cheeks with a delightfully smooth sweet potato purée, tomatoes, and courgettes (25€). All four desserts were 7€ each and we chose a silky mango panna cotta and an apple cake.

The wine card has a good choice of Mallorcan wines – including several from the Felanitx area. A separate page offers a good choice for those who prefer natural wines. And for those who are driving, there’s the rarity of an alcohol-free rosado on the list (we’ll try it next time).

Our dinner ended with a complimentary chupito (shot) of a drink made by Felix’s wife Vivien from apples and cinnamon. It arrived in a small bottle with two small glasses. If it were for sale, I’d have bought a bottle.

Special mention should be made of the service. When we dined there, two young servers – amusingly with the rhyming names Veronica and Monica – displayed their impressive people and service skills, ensuring that we’ll return to dine again in Felanitx at Estragon La Plaça.

Good to Know

Estragon La Plaça is open for dinner only from 18:00h-23:00h (but closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays). It’s a useful place to know about because many restaurants in the area close on Mondays.

The restaurant is located next to the Parc Municipal de Sa Torre.

The restaurant’s website has not yet been updated to reflect the new ownership but you can follow their Instagram page here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rGuxP4aaE62f66TG7

A Taste of Paris in Palma

January 15, 2024

by Jan Edwards

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*A few tables outside Les Artistes on the pavement*

Who needs a trip to Paris for a taste of French cuisine? If travelling to France isn’t on the cards for you but the prospect of an authentic French onion soup or a hearty boeuf bourguignon appeals, head to Les Artistes, a cosy French bistro in the heart of Palma, Mallorca’s capital. By the time you’ve perused the menu and taken the first sip of your French beer or Château Bertinerie, you’ll almost believe you were in the ‘city of light’.

The décor helps to achieve this feeling. Think of a French bistro you’ve seen in a movie and you’ll find similar features here, such as red-and-white checked tablecloths and napkins, and framed French art posters and photographs on the walls.

But the most notable authenticity relates to the food – classic savoury and sweet dishes from the French culinary canon.

What’s on the menu at Les Artistes?

The winter menu has starters including snails from Burgundy, sausage from Lyon, and the ever-popular onion soup with grilled Emmental and French bread. Main courses include boeuf bourguignon (made over three days and from three cuts of beef) served in a Le Creuset pot (18,90€), confit of duck (19,50€), hanger steak (‘onglet de boeuf’ (18,70€), and pike quenelle with a sauce of Norwegian lobster and shrimp bisque, and pilaf rice (17,30€). A few vegetarian dishes are available – including a vegetarian main course.

Leave space for a dessert if you can. Anyone for profiteroles bathed in warm chocolate and Chantilly cream (7,90€)? Apple tarte tatin (7,80€), crépes Suzette (8,90€), and îles flottantes (6,50€) are other classic French puds. If you lack a sweet tooth, don’t miss the assortment of French cheeses with fig jam (8,50€).

Our lunch at Les Artistes

For our lunch we started with a marinated fillet of herring with potatoes, onions, and carrots (7,20€), and fried Camembert with salad and fig jam (7,80€) which was accompanied by slices of toasted baguette to mop up all the delicious oozing cheese. Both starters were generous in size and very tasty.

The Boss’s main course was pike ‘quenelle de brochet avec sauce Nantua’ – a typical dish from Lyon and the perfect winter warmer with its rich sauce and puff pastry garnish (17,30€). A friend had recommended the beef dish, ‘onglet de boeuf, sauce aux échalots’ and although I eat little red meat, I chose this dish with its oven-baked new potatoes and shallot sauce (18,70€). Our waitress asked me how I’d like the hanger steak cooked and the tender meat arrived just as requested. It was delicious.

Our desserts were tarte tatin and crème brûlée with pistachios (7,50€).

Good to Know

Wines are French and reasonably priced too. We had wine by the glass at 4€ each.

For a restaurant in the heart of Palma, prices at Les Artistes are attractive. And service is friendly and efficient, with the serving staff dressed in jaunty flat caps and aprons.

Les Artistes is in the heart of Palma, right opposite the access to the underground car park at Mercat de l’Olivar. The nearby department store El Corté Inglés on the Avenidas has an underground car park too so you could park there and combine a shopping trip with lunch (or dinner) at Les Artistes in Palma.

Les Artistes is popular so be sure to book your table in advance.

Relax at Barefoot Hotel Mallorca in Portocolom

December 13, 2023

by Jan Edwards

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Portocolom is said to be the birthplace of the explorer Christopher Columbus, but I imagine if he were alive today, he’d be content to spend more time in this picturesque part of Mallorca. Like the holidaymakers who visit Portocolom for its beautiful setting, I’m always happy to be there, whether it’s for a walk around one of Mallorca’s largest, sheltered harbours, or a meal or drink while gazing at the boats bobbing at anchor in the water.

There’s a serenity about Portocolom, even in the height of summer. It’s still a fishing village where you can see nets laid out to dry or for mending, and the cute, traditional Mallorcan fishing boats known as llauts.

Portocolom’s Cool 5-Star Hotel

Portocolom has had even more appeal since the gorgeous, 5-star Barefoot Hotel opened last year. The hotel occupies two buildings opposite each other in a quiet back street and has 60 rooms and suites. Most of these are in the main building but 15 of them – and the Barefoot Restaurant – are in a building overlooking the water.

The vibe in this hotel is relaxed and friendly from the moment you arrive, and the reception team greets you warmly. We commented several times to each other about the friendliness of all the staff, concluding that the hotel being open all year and providing year-round rather than seasonal employment, could be a factor.

The décor is based on a palette of warm, earthy shades and materials from nature. I’d sum it up as unpretentious luxury. It’s easy to feel relaxed here, whether you’re browsing through a magazine or newspaper in the spacious foyer, lounging on the pool terrace, or enjoying the privacy of your own room.

Other Facilities at Barefoot Hotel Mallorca

In summer (or for Wim Hof disciples in the colder months) there’s an outdoor pool and a large terrace with a variety of furniture for relaxation, including an inviting poolside hammock and Balinese-style beds. Alongside this is the large breakfast and lunch room, with tables available outside in appropriate weather.

Wellness facilities include a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, indoor pools, and relaxation area. Spa treatments are offered and if you do stay at Barefoot Hotel Mallorca, I recommend booking any spa treatments before you arrive. See here for the menu of treatments.

The hotel has a bike storage room – useful to know for those taking advantage of the cycling season.

Food & Drink

The restaurant in the larger building serves breakfast and lunch to hotel guests.. The choice of breakfast dishes impressed us – as did the server, Austin, who explained everything that was on offer. Hot dishes are made to order.

Breakfast and lunch room. Our server Austin.

Barefoot Restaurant is the main restaurant, located in the building facing the sea. This dinner-only restaurant is also open to the public and has a separate entrance for those not staying in the hotel.

The à la carte menu here references Til Schweiger’s favourite dishes. If you don’t know (and I didn’t until I read an article about him a few years ago), Til is a famous German actor, writer, and filmmaker. He’s also the creator of the Barefoot Hotels brand.

Escape the Winter with a Longer Stay

The temperature today in Mallorca has been up to 22 degrees Celsius (at home) and the sun has shone almost all day (as it has for several days). For those who live in colder climes and are retired or can work remotely, a longer stay at Barefoot Hotel Mallorca offers an escape from the usual winter. The hotel offers special rates for stays of 14, 21, and 28 nights – detailed on their website.

Special Rates for Mallorca Residents

The winter months are when islanders reclaim Mallorca after the busy holiday season. The pace of life is slower with fewer tourists, and prices in the open-in-winter hotels are more accessible. Barefoot Hotel Mallorca is offering special rates for Mallorca residents – an opportunity to have a mini-break in a different part of the island.

Be like Columbus and Explore!

If you can drag yourself away from the relaxing Barefoot Hotel, you’re within an easy drive of some places worth exploring.

Felanitx is 14km away and has a good market on Sundays. The area has several wineries and is part of the DO Pla i Llevant.

The attractive town of Santanyi is 16km away and has an excellent market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The town has some appealing shops, art galleries, and places to eat and drink while you’re there.

Visit the hilltop Sanctuary of Sant Salvador near Felanitx. At 509 metres above sea level, you can expect awesome views on a clear day. Castell de Santuari is another location with great views.

If you’re into golf, Vall d’Or course is very nearby, with elevated views toward Portocolom and Cala d’Or further south. You can play nine or 18 holes on this par 71, 5,538-metre course.

And, if you do book, please do tell the hotel you read about them on eatdrinksleepmallorca.

Michelin Stars Mallorca 2024

November 29, 2023

by Jan Edwards

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Eat / Michelin

The Guía Michelin España last night announced its awards for 2024 at a gala at the Barcelona International Convention Centre.

For 2024, Mallorca has 11 restaurants with a Michelin star, and a total of 12 Michelin stars, with one NEW addition to the gastronomic firmament.

2-Michelin Stars in Mallorca

Voro restaurant in Canyamel has retained its two stars.

Mallorca’s One-Michelin-Star Restaurants

Adrián Quetglas – Palma

Andreu Genestra – Llucmajor. This restaurant already had a star when it was located in Capdepera but this was announced as a new star because the restaurant relocated.

Bens d’Avall – Sóller

DINS Santi Taura – Palma

Es Fum – Costa d’en Blanes

Fusión 19 – Muro

Maca de Castro – Alcúdia

Marc Fosh – Palma

**NEW** Sa Clastra – Es Capdellà

Zaranda – Palma

Green Michelin Stars

Twelve new Green Michelin stars were awarded across Spain – and three of those were for restaurants in Mallorca:

Andreu Genestra – Llucmajor (previously held a Green star but classed as new because of the restaurant move)

Bens d’Avall – Sóller

Ca Na Toneta – Caimari

New Star on the Block

*Jordi Cantó pictured at a recent Peccata Minute event in Inca, organised by Chefs(in).*

Sa Clastra gains its first Michelin star for 2024. This restaurant is one of two at the 5-star hotel Castell Son Claret, located in the tranquil countryside near Es Capella.

Mallorca chef Jordi Cantó leads the kitchen team at Sa Clastra and although the restaurant didn’t open until 2021, he has worked at the stoves of Castell Son Claret since it opened in 2013. In 2021, he became the hotel’s executive chef, when Sa Clastra was launched. The restaurant has Philip Dion as maître d’ and Javier Gómez as sommelier.

‘It’s a special moment to receive a Michelin star for a restaurant concept that celebrates and honours the culinary heritage of my island of birth,’ Jordi Cantó says, also acknowledging the role of the entire Sa Clastra team.

You’ll have to wait to try Sa Clastra’s gourmet tasting menu: the hotel is closed for the winter season until March 1st, 2024. Sa Clastra re-opens on March 14th, 2024.

Congratulations to all Mallorca’s restaurants awarded for 2024.

The Place

The Food & Wine

Good to Know

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Hotel Overview

The Wet Facilities at Shine Spa

Treatments at the Shine Spa

Offers for Local Residents

Good to Know

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The Arrival

The Mirabona Restaurant Terrace

The Toiletries

The Panorama Suite

Complimentary Activities

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What We Ate at Ses Coves

Verdict

Good to Know

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The Place

The Culinary Concept

The Menu

The Drinks

Verdict

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What We Ate

Good to Know

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Current Owners Since November 2023

The Food at Estragon

What We Ate

Good to Know

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What’s on the menu at Les Artistes?

Our lunch at Les Artistes

Good to Know

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Portocolom’s Cool 5-Star Hotel

Other Facilities at Barefoot Hotel Mallorca

Food & Drink

Escape the Winter with a Longer Stay

Special Rates for Mallorca Residents

Be like Columbus and Explore!

Thank you for sharing!

2-Michelin Stars in Mallorca

Mallorca’s One-Michelin-Star Restaurants

Green Michelin Stars

New Star on the Block

Thank you for sharing!