Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Late for O Lume...

My first visit to O Lume could have been my last when we were late for our booking at 8pm. I’d left the family in the square enjoying a drink and went off to find it, having only the vaguest memory of where it actually was, tucked away down one of the back streets of PP.

After almost giving up, I tried one more time and this time was lucky, so after booking, I returned to the square and was shocked to find it was already 7.45pm. My husband had just ordered another beer and wasn’t going to be rushed so I sat and wriggled with impatience while he finished his drink and managed to catch the waiter’s eye at Café L’Algar to pay our bill.

As we walked in (I take it the man in charge was Jaime?) he teased me by looking at his watch and I was very apologetic for being late.

So, I was there, at the famous O Lume and we were seated at the back of the restaurant on a little outside terrace opposite another family. While we studied the menu we were given little freebie starters of fishy croquettes for the children and a sort of fishy potato salad for us adults. Delicious! We also enjoyed bread and butter.

The restaurant was quiet, and the service we were receiving (from Jaime?) was wonderful. Very polite, attentive and friendly.

For starters, hubby and I chose grilled vegetables which were fantastic. They were cooked beautifully and included carrots, courgettes, onions, tomatoes and asparagus. There was a delicious sweetness to them and they made a great entrance to the meal.

The children enjoyed grilled chicken for their main course while hubby chose the barbecued rabbit and I went for veal escalope. Both our dishes were delicious and it was a lovely change to have veal amidst all the ducks and lambs I’d been eating. The veal was in a tasty, creamy sauce and served with vegetables and crispy French fries. Our wine choice of the evening was a Jaume Mesquida Negre which was a very reasonable 12 euros. It was fruity and full-bodied and had a slight hint of liquorice and pears poached in wine.

It was while we were eating dinner that I was recognised by the family opposite who had seen my photo on the forum, so we had a great chat about the restaurant. We were both of the opinion that O Lume was certainly living up to its reputation.

For dessert, I just had to experience the fried milk and it was great! Like a custard tart encased in a light batter and served with ice cream. The children had very good quality chocolate ice cream, which of course they wolfed down!

As we sat back, satisfied, and with big smiles on our faces, Jaime offered us a complimentary liqueur and with them, the most delicious chilled chocolates.

All in all, this ranks as one of the top meals we had over the two weeks. Not only in terms of food and service but for incredible value for money when I compare it to Cantonet. The meal for the four of us came to a fantastic 77 euros, half the price of the Pollensa restaurant. Cantonet didn’t even begin to compare when it came to our overall experience.

I cannot understand why this wonderful restaurant is not packed to the rafters every night. As the evening wore on, I was pleased to see more diners arriving and I only hope that
it continues to be successful and word will spread.

I know the next time we visit PP, we’ll be straight back.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Double Helpings at Ca'n Costa

OK, to take a leaf out of Belladonna’s book, here goes:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Yes, I think I’m in love with Ca’n Costa…

This restaurant is quite simply in a league of its own and in my opinion, there is nothing to touch it in the area. Maybe the restaurant at Son Brull would come close, but as I haven’t been there, I can’t comment.

We went to Ca’n Costa twice over the two weeks and it’s not just the food that was good. The staff are some of the best we’ve ever met and the place is so relaxed and beautiful. I always feel comfortable there and I just simply sit back and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere.

Our first night was lovely. We sat on the sofas and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink with nuts and olives to nibble on. Alex, who is perhaps my favourite waiter, greeted us personally which made us feel very special. We ordered scallops and soup to start, followed by baked cod and lamb surrounded by chicken and wrapped in filo pastry.

All the meals were delicious and hubby raved about his cod, saying it was the best he’d ever tasted. The children were treated to spaghetti and chicken and we finished with desserts of chocolate torte (remember Meg Ryan?) and New York cheesecake.

Our wine for the first evening was the Jaume de Puntiro Carmesi and the bill came to 137 euros which included a freebie starter of chilled tomato juice (yummy) and beautiful bread with dips.

On our second evening, we took my parents who had visited in the past (under different ownership) and had very fond memories of the place. We were greeted warmly again and relaxed with drinks on the sofa while we studied the menu.

This time our starters included game ravioli and mackerel salad, which were all delicious. For our main courses, we enjoyed calves liver, chicken and baked cod (again). My parents were impressed with the meals and the atmosphere of the restaurant which was filling up nicely.

But it was my Dad’s dessert that he is still raving about… he chose the lemon sorbet served with a shot of vodka. Never have I heard him rave about a dessert so much and I think he enjoyed it! I also enjoyed my chocolate fondant but managed to keep most of the moaning to a minimum…

We drank two bottles of wine with dinner – both of them the Macia Batle Crianza.

The bill came to 244 euros which included pre-dinner drinks, water and freebie starters of creamy goat's cheese on a sun-dried tomato cake.

Quite simply stunning!

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Lunch at Los Zarzales 

This was yet another restaurant that I was determined to try, having managed to miss it last August.

It was the Friday before we left and we'd decided to eat at lunchtime as we were meeting Timberman and his wife in the evening for a drink.

So, we did a little shopping in PP and made our way slowly to the restaurant which is one street back from the main promenade in the resort.

I think we caught the staff unawares as it was just past 12pm when we enquired about a table. But they were very professional and we took a seat under a large umbrella outside the main entrance.

The setting was very relaxed at lunchtime and I noticed the interior of the restaurant looked much more formal, but for us, it was great with the children able to wander down to the small supermarket on the corner and bug us to buy them things.

We enjoyed a pre-lunch glass of beer and some bread and olives while we studied the menu. Hubby and I both went for the prawn cocktail for a starter which was delicious. The prawns were plump and juicy and there was lots of sauce and salad. The children happily munched on garlic bread.

For our main courses, hubby chose cod while I went for pork tenderloin in a beautiful sauce. Both dishes were beautifully presented and we enjoyed them immensely. My pork was tender and the sauce thick and tasty.

The children enjoyed well-cooked meals of chicken which were only charged at 5,50 euros, perhaps the cheapest meals for the children of the whole two weeks.

There was no question of dessert. Our main courses were very filling so we just sat and enjoyed a coffee and watched the restaurant gradually fill up.

The bill was 98 euros which included lots of drinks and the usual bread and olives.

We'll definitely go back but for dinner next time. The service was relaxed and friendly and we could have sat there all day soaking up the sun and enjoying the ambience.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

La Fonda, Pollenca 

This was another restaurant that I have always wanted to try, but somehow it always got shoved to the end of the queue and we never quite made it.

But this summer I was determined to try some new restaurants and hubby was happy to go along with my ideas, even more so after I'd heard good things about the rabbit dish from my dad, who is a real rabbit fan.

So I made sure and booked a table before our drink at Cafe Espanyol. The staff wouldn't book an outside table for me, but we were assured of one inside and we'd be able to change it to an outside table if there was one available.

As it happened all the tables on the narrow street outside were taken and we were shown to a table at the very back of the restaurant. This was my first grumble as I love to people watch and we had no one to stare at. But anyway, we settled into our seats and I managed to pin my son to his chair and get him to decide what he was eating before he rushed back to the square to carry on his game of football.

In all honesty, this is not really a restaurant to take young children, although it would have been easier if we'd eaten outside. The inside is very elegant with pale yellow walls, stone floors and huge oil paintings. There is no children's menu so we chose veal escalope and pork chops for the kids.

I went for the house salad to start while hubby chose leek and cream soup. For our mains, we ordered lamb in a honey sauce and rabbit (hubby).

My salad was large and very good. It included tuna, prawns, sliced egg and almost all the salad items you could think of. Hubby's leek soup was "like leek soup" when I asked him how it was... hmm!

By now we had been joined by some other couples but I still felt a little isolated. I noticed one couple order a paella between them but didn't hear any groans of appreciation coming from their table.

My main course was ordinary. It was a shoulder of lamb and the portion was large and covered in a thick honey glaze. It reminded me of the sickly sauce you get in a Chinese takeaway when you order sweet and sour chicken, but it had very little taste. I gamely plugged away at it, but after a little while gave up and tried to sneak some onto hubby's plate as his rabbit had obviously been on a diet...

The children's meals were awful - my son's veal was dry and tasteless, and both meals were served with chips which looked like they had been hanging around for a few days. The pork chops were dry and salty, and I had the annoying thought that not much care had been taken over them at all.

To make up for their meals, the children were desperate to have chocolate profiteroles for dessert, but they were "off" so we called for the bill and left, the ice-cream kiosk in the square fulfilling their craving for a sweet.

The bill was 82 euros which included the star of the evening - a delicious bottle of the new local wine - the Mortitx Merlot.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Cap de Canto, Puerto Pollensa

Now, I had read somewhere on here that to eat at Cap de Canto, you had to book. Dire warnings were issued about being turned away even though there were tables free, so I rushed off in the heat to book while hubby sat at Bony's in the square having a leisurely drink, a cool breeze wafting over him from the fans provided by Jose. Huh!

Anyway, we arrived at the agreed time and took a table outside, right opposite Restaurant Montenegro which was very busy, I have to say. Our entertainment for the evening was one of their waitresses who managed to keep the same deadpan expression all night. An amazing feat.

The Maitre D' of Cap de Canto was very friendly - jovial would be a good way to describe him and he made a fuss of both children. He went through the specials menu and I chose pate to start followed by duck with a plum and soy sauce. Hubby went for the chicken wings in a chilli sauce and the house special, chicken stroganoff.

While we studied the menu we nibbled on bread, olives and a fantastic fishy dip. Very moreish.

The restaurant happily provided grilled chicken for the children which they enjoyed.

Our wine for the evening was a Mallorcan Alba Flor - soft, fruity and easy drinking.

My starter was delicious. It turned out to be chicken pate and had the most intense flavour I've ever tasted. It was served with a salad and lovely dressing and crusty bread. Hubby's chicken wings were well cooked but he did say the sauce tasted a little artificial - as if it came out of a jar rather than prepared by the chef, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

My main course of duck breast was superb. Very tender, beautifully cooked and plentiful. The slices were served on a bed of spinach (I think) accompanied by roasted new potatoes and vegetables.

Hubby's stroganoff was great so all in all, this restaurant more than lived up to its reputation. One word though... several people turned up after us, without booking, and were happily given tables. So maybe they have changed their policy.

This was a great restaurant with wonderful food, friendly attentive service and reasonable prices. Our meal (without desserts) came to about 95 euros which included the wine, pre-dinner drinks and water.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Ca'n Olesa - Pollenca Old Town

I know I keep banging on about this restaurant but it really is a great little place, in a brilliant location at the bottom of the steps in Pollensa's main square.

It gets very, very busy so we booked a table and strolled over at our agreed time, watched by several envious families who were waiting to be seated.

Ca N'Olesa is family-friendly and the night we were there, the Tuesday before the Moors and Christians, the place was heaving.

We had a great meal with the children ordering huge pizzas. Our starters were Pimentos de Padron and cheese, walnut and grape salad followed by Stifado (beef stew with vegetables and potatoes) and oh... rabbit (again).

I pushed the boat out and chose a Son Bordils Syrah and we had desserts, the best of which was my chocolate cream with mascarpone which is better than...um, no better not say it.

The bill for the four of us with all the usual drinks, bread and olives was 106 euros. The young staff were great despite how busy it was and it was lovely to soak up the exciting atmosphere of the square and feel like we were really part of the festival.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Lunch at Stay, Puerto Pollensa

I was really pleased when my mum mentioned that she'd read about Stay in a magazine and wanted to go. Apparently, the magazine said it was a "must do" restaurant, so we decided to pay a visit on my parents' last day as they were flying back home in the evening.

It was a warm day and we had a drink at the Miramar Hotel before walking up to the marina. I'm sure everyone knows that Stay has just been rebuilt and is quite a lot different from how it used to be.

It was very quiet when we went. Just a couple of tables were occupied and we took a seat on the decking overlooking the sea. But it was very hot and I took a seat in the full sun, knowing that as the meal went on, I'd probably melt into a puddle, so after braving it for about 15 minutes we reluctantly moved inside which was air-conditioned and much more comfortable.

The restaurant is very elegant - lots of steel and wood and it doesn't seem the sort of place to go for an intimate dinner. But the views are lovely and the staff were very helpful, attentive and discreet.

The menu was extensive - page after page of dishes each with its own little photo. Our starters included fried vegetables in a light batter, fish soup and parma ham and melon. I had the fried vegetables and they were delicious - the batter really was light and they were served with a lovely sauce. My dad's fish soup was "fantastic".

For mains, we chose Hake, chicken breast in a sauce with a little puff pastry hat, and veal kidneys. Again, everything was cooked beautifully and the meal was delicious.

Our wine of the day was the Miguel Oliver Muscat which was off-dry, refreshing and very fruity. The children were given grilled chicken which they enjoyed and it was good for them to be able to explore the decking outside and go and have a look at the boats. Being a little older (6 and 10) they were able to go off pretty safely, but if I'd had toddlers with me, I would have been wary about the water being so near.

Some of us ordered desserts which were beautifully presented and included pears in puff pastry, a raspberry mascarpone sweet and chocolate mousse.

We had a lovely, very relaxed time and the Maitre D' was efficient and very polite. Maybe next time we'll have to try this restaurant at night as I'm sure it gets even better with the setting sun and all the lights of PP.

For the six of us, the bill came to 185 euros which included water and soft drinks.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Trencadora, Pollenca Old Town 

This restaurant seems to have had its ups and downs just recently, but we were keen to go back and have another meal and this time we took my parents with us on their first night in Mallorca.

This is really hidden away down a side street, a short walk from the square in Pollensa. Just turn right at the Cafe Espanyol, cross over one street and carry on walking. You'll hear the sound of the water first before you see the entrance.

This is another beautiful, beautiful setting and my parents were impressed. We'd booked a table and we were seated outside right by the entrance.

The staff were very friendly - the young male waiter made a great fuss of my son who loved the attention and there were quite a few other children eating there as well. They have a special children's menu.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly yet elegant at the same time. It really is a beautiful restaurant and the tables for two on the far wall were wonderfully intimate and romantic.

We enjoyed the food and among our starters were vegetable bruschetta, Roquefort, grape and walnut salad and salmon and crab mousse which my mum enjoyed very much. My dad's bruschetta was delicious, he said, but just slightly hard to eat. Bless him, he still has most of his teeth.

As for mains, we chose the rack of lamb, duck breast in a honey and soy sauce and pork tenderloin with tagliatelle. Dad and I had the duck and thought it superb. Hubby was slightly disappointed with his lamb - his words were "overcooked on the outside but undercooked on the inside" but that was his only criticism. The meals were served with little filo baskets of mixed vegetables and the only real niggle was the charge of 2,50 euros for a plate of chips (classed as extra vegetables on the menu).

The desserts were delicious - I just had to have the chocolate fondant again with pistachio ice cream and the thick chocolate sauce just oozed out as I cut into the sponge.

I chose a bottle of the Jaume de Puntiro Carmesi red and the bill, with children's meals, pre-dinner drinks and water came to 175 euros for the 6 of us.

This is a must for a special night out and my parents were impressed with our choice for their first night!

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Cantonet - Pollenca Old Town

For nearly two years now I’ve wanted to return to Cantonet in Pollenca Old Town to experience again the great meal we had back in October 2004. I’m sure my original post exists somewhere on here but we had a really lovely time, with wonderful food and wine, great service and a beautiful setting (inside, as the terrace was closed).

My husband agreed with me so I walked up one warm evening before a drink at the Café Espanyol with my daughter and booked a table. Now, I’m a firm believer in premonitions and when we walked into Cantonet the place looked a mess. The two tables by the door were covered with cigarette stubs and the staff were lolling about smoking. Fine, I thought, they’re having their meal and relaxing before the evening starts. No worries. We asked for a table on the terrace by the church and went back off happily anticipating a great evening…

And things started off well. Firstly the setting is hard to beat. The restaurant is next to another huge church in Pollensa and about 10-12 tables are set out on the beautiful terrace. We saw a couple being turned away who had asked about a table, so if you want to go in high season, it’s best to book. From our table, we had views over the rooftops of the town and the clock on the big church in the main square.

Our table, hmmm… well, it was very small for the four of us and was wobbly because of the stone. One family arrived and there were a few minutes of confusion over their booking. The staff thought they had booked for six when they were actually four so they were shown to a table the same size as ours, but they were having none of it and made for another, set by the wall of the terrace which was larger. This threw the waiters into confusion for a while… and set the tone for the evening.

The menu was good – the usual suspects of lamb, duck and fish dishes but with an added list of different ravioli, stuffed with various kinds of cheese and sauces. There is no children’s menu.

We made our choices and asked for spaghetti for my son who would eat it morning, noon and night. They could do Bolognese, they said, and my daughter chose lamb cutlets.

For starters, I went for a chicken liver salad while hubby opted for the Parma ham and melon. My salad was huge with about a ton of lettuce leaves but the livers were moist and tender. Hubby was pleased with his choice, but you can’t really go wrong with that...

So, on with the mains! I’d studied the ravioli list but decided to go with the duck breast in a raspberry sauce while hubby went for lamb. As a reminder of our previous meal, and because I’m a romantic (!) I chose a bottle of the Montecillo Gran Reserva 1995. Last time it had been decanted with much ceremony by the wine waiter and it made us feel very special.

But not so this time. My husband was shown the bottle, grrrrr… but he passed it to me for tasting and that was it. It was just plonked on the already overcrowded table and all through the meal I was convinced I was going to wear it.

Our main courses arrived and I had to admit I was disappointed. My duck was rare and bloody and tough. Now, I had duck breast at Cap de Canto and that was perfectly cooked with a delicious sauce. My sauce at Cantonet was tasteless and was as far from raspberry as you could get. Hubby’s lamb was also chewy and my daughter’s lamb cutlets, while meaty, were not falling off the bone as we expected. But my son ate his spaghetti with relish which was a very good thing…

The service was slow and whilst I realise that a restaurant in October is a different beast from one in August, I had expected more. I seem to remember from our 2004 visit, complimentary cava, a freebie starter and friendly service.

We ordered two helpings of tiramisu to share between the four of us and then asked for the bill…

When it eventually arrived I nearly had a heart attack – my son’s (adult) meal of spaghetti had been charged at 21 euros, more than mine or my husband’s meals. We were shocked and I’m still angry with myself as I write this, that I didn’t query the price. But it was now past 11pm, we were all tired and the waiters did not speak much English (which is fair enough). So we paid up and swallowed our annoyance but I have to say our tip was somewhat reduced.

So, that was Cantonet and it will take a lot to tempt me back… haven’t I said that before? They’re obviously doing something right as the place was packed, and maybe we just made the wrong choices. But I was disappointed. Surely a good restaurant is the same whatever the season – experience will dictate that more staff are needed in the summer!

The bill was a stomach-churning 146 euros – the most we ever paid as a family of four and I can still taste the bitterness in my mouth nearly a week later

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Maxim's again...

Last year I posted that the food was good at Maxim's but the staff were a little fraught and dare I say it, abrupt...

However... this year we ate at Maxim's and the staff were great. They even asked if we wanted bread and olives!

We had a delicious meal - my starter of tiger prawns in crispy batter with a chilli dip was delicious and my main course of stuffed chicken was well-cooked and moist. Hubby chose the soup and then the shoulder of lamb and was pleased with both.

A word of warning - this is a very busy and popular restaurant so if you want a table, be sure to get there before about 8pm or book. The service was noticeably friendlier (and we had several waiters serve us) but still frenetic. That didn't detract from the meal though at all and it was great to see the square so bustling and busy.

Bill was about 75 euros for the four of us, but no dessert or wine, just a couple of beers, soft drinks and water.

Restaurant reviews Mallorca 2006

Singing The Praises of L'Aup 

L’Aup is a gem of a restaurant, that although on the road to Pollensa (on the turn to Cala San Vicente), is well worth the journey. We went twice during the holiday as the children love the play area there and it gives us adults a chance to enjoy the meal and talk.

The seating area is outside under lots of greenery and trees. Our first night was warm and the restaurant was pleasantly busy but I do know they also have a large inside eating area too, so the weather shouldn’t be a problem.

Our first meal was lovely. We skipped starters as the bread and pate the restaurant provides are delicious and chose suckling pig (hubby) and lamb stuffed with dates and ham as the main courses. The children chose spaghetti Bolognese and grilled chicken, meals which were well cooked, and were eaten with great relish before the kids disappeared off to the play area again.

However, they soon made a quick appearance when the desserts arrived – huge ice-creams decorated with fruit and chocolate mousse. With drinks, the bill came to about 88 euros.

The second time we visited, my parents were with us and my dad is still talking about his meal even now…

Like us, they’d always wanted to try the restaurant but never got around to going, so they were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and loved the pretty dining area. It was a beautiful night and it was quiet, but with enough people to make an atmosphere. Like the first time we visited, there was a live singer who was great. His performance was perfect as the background music and made for pleasant listening.

This time we ordered starters and my dad chose the prawns in garlic which he said were the best he’d ever tasted. Our other choices were the house salmon salad (huge), melon and ham and stuffed mussels (delicious!). Along with the pate and bread, we munched away happily!

Our main courses included suckling pig, meaty kebabs and rabbit which my dad ordered and immediately started raving about again. He loved the dish so much, that after the meal he went to find the chef who told him the rabbit had been marinated in cognac for 2-3 days, sprinkled with herbs (thyme and rosemary, I think) and then slowly cooked over charcoal. It was falling off the bone and delicious. The main meals were served with potatoes and vegetables.

With desserts, two bottles of wine (Marques de Riscal Rose and a Jose Ferrer Crianza) plus water, soft drinks and a couple of glasses of Hierbas, the bill came to 200 euros for the six of us.

The waiters were simply brilliant as well. They made jokes with us and were very friendly, so it was a lovely evening. Even though it’s a little way out of Puerto Pollensa, it’s well worth the journey and the play area is great if you have children. If you don’t, it’s far enough away to be hidden by the trees and we saw several couples having a peaceful, romantic meal.