BONITA

Menorca

In 2020 a new company, Bonita Menorca SL, was established to manage cool places in Menorca. These places now include Tamarindos, the iconic restaurant on Es Grau Beach, Binifadet, the family-run winery in San Lluis, and Cantina, located at the Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery on Isla del Rei. The group no longer runs the American Bar but it still has hopes to return to the Bucaneros beach bar at Binibeca in the future.

Bonita Menorca was founded by the managers of the Binifadet Winery, Luis Anglés, and Patricia Menéndez, along with Xavier Llansó. It is a local company focusing on local businesses and it aims to create “spaces where the natural world, gastronomy and production exist in perfect harmony”. They have chosen emblematic venues that represent Menorca and the three aspects that they believe make it unique: the land, sea and culture.

Tamarindos

Bonita Menorca took over Tamarindos in Es Grau last year. The restaurant is named after the trees around it, said to be the most numerous of their kind in Menorca. It was chosen for the spectacular view from its platform over the sea, “where you can enjoy a perfect beach meal, in an informal and cool setting”. They serve tapas and plates of rice and fresh fish and also classics such as Caesar salad and dishes with an Asiatic touch, such as mussels in Thai sauce. The Chef, Marcelo Bonavetti has worked at restaurants in the group for a long time, starting at Binifadet and also working at Bucaneros and Cantina. If you do not want a full meal, Tamarindos is also a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine while the sun sets.

Cantina Restaurant And Bar

The restaurant at Hauser & Wirth Menorca is a relaxed canteen focused on local products. The tables are located under the shade of the ullastres or olive trees of Isla del Rey, with a beautiful view over the Port of Mahon. They offer imaginative starters with seasonal vegetables, fish and shellfish to share, and a great selection of wines. You need to book on the Hauser & Wirth website and also reserve a place in advance on the Yellow Catamaran shuttle to the island.

Binifadet

This year Binifadet has some new innovations such as an open kitchen, and a wine bar area where you can sit and enjoy a drink without the need to book in advance. The bar is open all day from 12 noon to 11pm. The restaurant kitchen is open Wednesday to Monday from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm. You can book online or if you have any special requirements or would like to make a reservation for a group of more than 12 people, contact them directly at info@binifadet.com.

On this year’s menu local products have become more evident with traditional dishes such as homemade pâté, meatballs and stuffed aubergines.

If you want to make the most of the vineyard experience, you can book the Pairing Menu with a different wine for each of the 6 courses. This costs 70 Euros. If ordering from the normal menu, it is also possible to ask for a medium glass option with your meal so that you can try different varieties with each course.

Binifadet is over 40 years old. It was founded by Carlos Anglés, driven by a desire to revive Menorca’s wine-growing culture, which had played such an important role on the island during the 18th century. He planted his first vines in 1979, up to 40 different varieties, in order to see which ones were best suited to the island’s climate and soil. In 2001, after almost 20 years of home-experimentation, he acquired the Binifadet estate, expanded the plantation and built the winery, which was officially opened on May 15, 2004.

In 2014, Carlos handed the generational baton to his son, Luis Anglés, who introduced his own style of viticulture and winemaking. It was during this period that the estate produced its Tanca and Pieles ranges, planted native varieties and started its journey to becoming the winery it is today. The latest wine is Buri, a new sparkling wine in white and rose varieties, dedicated to Carlos’ father. You can visit the vineyard and taste the wine every day with tours in English at 11:30am and 5.30pm price 12 Euros. Book online on the website https://www.binifadet.com/visitas

Their wines: BINIFADET

These wines showcase the minerality, freshness and smoothness added by the north Tramuntana wind and calcareous marès subsoil. Delicate and refined but with plenty of character, they are Binifadet’s hallmark.

TANCA

These are the higher quality wines made with grapes selected from the best tanques, or plots of land. The production processes of these wines enhance the complexity and capacity for evolution in each bottle. These are produced in limited quantities with Tanca 12 being the best white wine.

PIELES

This is called an “orange wine”. It is a white wine, 100% chardonnay, fermented in earthenware jars with the grape skins and pips. It leaves a lasting impression with an intense colour and a powerful flavour.

MERLUZO

This is a very Mediterranean wine said to represent Binifadet’s vivacious and carefree lifestyle. An easy wine, which they say is the perfect company for wonderful moments by the sea.

Buri

A sparkling rose or white wine with fine bubbles produced as a legacy to Carlos’ father who broke the land.