Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2005

Ca'n Costa - the sequel

I seem to remember writing not so long ago that "It would take a lot to tempt me back to Ca'n Costa". However, never say never and after Chelseadons recommendation I was lured back to Pollensa on our first evening.

We strolled up to the restaurant to book a table, but when we arrived after a drink in the square, it was very quiet, with just one other couple dining.

The restaurant has become even prettier than before - lots of candles everywhere (the foyer itself is beautiful and very atmospheric) and deep burgundy throws and cushions adorning the cream sofas where we studied the menu over a drink and nibbles.

The menu didn't seem to have changed much since we visited last October and I chose Pa Amb Oli with scrambled eggs and chorizo to start while hubby opted for chicken liver pate.

For mains, we chose oven-roasted pork fillet (me) and the rack of lamb for hubby. Other main courses included grilled beef or ostrich, tuna steak, calves liver and chicken breast.

We chose a Mallorcan wine, the Son Bordils Syrah, which the waiter, who looked a bit like a young John Travolta, decanted expertly using a wonderful contraption that "sprayed" the wine into the decanter giving it lots of air to breathe and release its lovely aromas.

We nibbled on a selection of homemade seeded breads with two dips, one of which contained balsamic vinegar and an appetiser of asparagus spears wrapped in salmon.

Our starters were delicious - my scrambled eggs were cooked to perfection and the chunks of chorizo sausage were lovely and spicy!

Our main courses were beautifully presented with a layered terrine of vegetables and tiny sauteed potatoes. The lamb was moist and tender and hubby definitely gave it the thumbs up!

The wine was delicious - smooth and velvety with a hint of spiciness.

For dessert hubby chose the cheese board, while I went for the chocolate fondant. The young waiter brought a trolley over to the table and explained to hubby where each cheese came from which was a nice touch. As for my chocolate fondant...well! It was Meg Ryan all over again, only more so!!

It was utterly gorgeous and definitely on a par with the dessert at Trencadora. Served with ice cream and a spun sugar decoration, I was in heaven!!

Over the course of the meal, we met one half of the new owners, Cynthia, who with her husband, re-opened the restaurant at Easter. They hail from Wetherby in North Yorkshire and their son William is the chef. They are lovely people and I sincerely hope they make a success of Ca'n Costa. I'm sure with the food and the friendly efficient service they will succeed and I can only hope that the standards we experienced will last over the busy summer months.

The bill came to 105 euros (not including tip) which included drinks and wine.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2005

Serenaded at La Fortalesa 

If it wasn't for the website and forum I would never have known about La Fortalesa! I didn't even know the square was there in PP until last October!

Anyway, we would have missed a treat! The restaurant was busy when we arrived after a drink at Bony's in the square and there were only three tables left.

Nibbling away at olives and bread while we studied the menu I decided to try the Frito Mallorquin while hubby opted for the prawns in a light batter. For mains, we chose rabbit and onions (hubby) and shoulder of lamb for me.

The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was cosy and homely. Large windows look out onto the street where you can do lots of people watching.

Our starters were delicious - hubby was extremely impressed with his prawns and said the batter was very light, not heavy or fatty at all. My Frito Mallorquin was lovely and very filling with a hint of warmth thanks to the chillies.

The main course was equally impressive - hubby's rabbit was tender and served with a lovely sauce while my lamb fell off the bone and was crispy on the outside, yet moist. 

The wine we chose tonight was Miquel Oliver's Mont Ferrutx which we found smooth, rounded and fruity.

For dessert (surprised I had room) we chose the almond cake which we both found a bit dry - the only disappointment of the evening.

All in all, a lovely restaurant with great friendly service and to cap it all, two young lads came in and asked if they could play their violin and accordion, so we had entertainment as well! They were Russian students and they played very well, especially the music from their homeland. A great end to a lovely relaxed evening.

Bill was 66 euros (not including tip) for pre-dinner drinks, wine and water.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2005

Mixed Tapas and More, at El Posito - Puerto Pollensa

Tony (I am sure it was the famous Tony mentioned on these pages) is a brilliant salesman.

We had decided to go in for a light lunch of Tapas as our evening destination was A Punt.

As we walked in, Tony directed us to a table and told us the lamb was beautiful today. I rushed off to the loo (spotlessly clean, by the way) and when I got back I could see that hubby was hooked. Baa!!

I was still determined to experience tapas so we ended up with the mixed tapas as a starter (meatballs, cuttlefish, mushrooms in a sauce and potato salad) as well as a huge joint of lamb! Baa!

The food was delicious (as I was promised it would be) and what an atmosphere!! Very busy and buzzing with Spanish. Also a lot of workmen enjoying their Menu del Dia and Tony rushing around fulfilling everyone's needs.

Tucked away as it is down a side street I would NEVER have gone in, but was glad I did. Very friendly service and at the end of the meal we were offered a glass (or two!) of the "Herbes de Mallorca" which was a sweet aniseed drink and looked like olive oil. The bottle was left on the table and our glasses topped up by a young, very friendly waiter.

So, there's a reprieve for all you who recommended El Posito - no eating at Burger King!!

Right, just off now to trim my woolly coat!!

Bill was 35 euros, including drinks.

P.S. - Forgot to say that we never made it to A Punt - at 9pm we were still full and it would have been a shame to eat at A Punt and not really appreciate the food. One to try in August!