FOOD & DRINK
22
JUNE 2023
EATING
OUT
By Lorraine and the team
THIS MONTH WE LOOK AT THE CHANGES IN THE ‘FOODIE’ SCENE Welcome to all our readers and especially to those of you who enjoy dining out in Menorca! The whole “foodie” scene has moved forward in leaps and bounds in UHFHQW \HDUV WR WKH JUHDW EHQHÀW RI us all. Everyone will be surprised at the number of changes of ownership this season and/or of location, variety and styles. For this UHDVRQ LQ RXU ÀUVW DUWLFOH , DP GRLQJ my best to cover as many of these innovations as possible, although there are still changes underway. , KRSH \RX ÀQG WKLV XSGDWH XVHIXO We’ve sadly said goodbye to some old favourites, such as the Bucaneros (Binibeca Beach Bar, which is still in legal contention, so don’t give up just yet). In the centre of Mahon we have lost The American Bar, on the port of Mahon the oriental restaurant called Way has disappeared, in Es Castell the doors closed on Bar España, but should reopen soon under new management. Down in Calas Fonts Dinkum has hung up his straw hat finally and La Lola has gone too, along with Botanic and Vell Parrendar, but many are re-opening in different guises, so watch this space for regular updates. There are some exciting developments afoot! Nearly all restaurants now have good websites, often allowing you to book online and check out menus, opening times etc, which is really helpful. Pre-booking is always recommended, and of course if you suddenly can’t make it, do please cancel. It’s amazing how many people don’t do this, which causes much consternation! So for visitors and residents alike, dining out can be such a joy, sampling restaurants old and new, hanging up your apron for a few days, joining friends and neighbours, sharing plates and experiencing new dishes …..and no washing up!
We’d really like to involve you, our readers, more closely going forward, so we are inviting YOU to send your own reports of dining experiences. Editors decision on publication is final! You can submit anonymous reports if you prefer. We’d like to gather a broad island-wide coverage. Our limited resources (and expanding waistlines!) mean we cannot cover everything! So your contributions will be so welcome. We pay for all our meals and the restaurants normally are unaware that they might feature in Roqueta. We’d like to introduce a “Star rating” system, 5***** being the tops! And a cost rating 5€€€€€ being the most expensive! Reviews should cover not only the standard of cooking, but also presentation, level of service, “front of house”...how welcome did you feel, and would you return and tell your friends, plus your date of visit. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS AND REVIEWS TO info@roquetamagazine.net Editor’s decision to print or indeed edit is final.
So here goes with a round-up of some of the main changes you will encounter this season!
MAHON
Meso-South American and Caribbean-inspired fusion social dining and drinking.” Something completely new for Menorca, already proving a huge success in Malta. (Google “HAMMETS MESTIZO” for more details). The AMERICAN BAR, which opened its doors in Plaza Real in the centre of Mahon in 1924, has been sold and will reopen under the ownership of the Castell shoe group “Castell Concept”...offering “shoes and booze”! Maybe some fashion too. We await more details of this interesting venture. Castell already operates a Cafe Concept store on the Industrial Estate in Ciutadella. LA FLAMA and previously MOJIGATA, opposite the Fish Market, has been closed for a while, and will reopen as BELLA SOMBRA (same ownership as Sa Botiga opposite). More details awaited.
CALAS FONTS (Es Castell) Gone: The owners of DINKUM have retired and there is no news of any restaurant opening in this location. As we go to press, the premises are vacant. LA LOLA has reopened as TARAMBANA (Moll de Cales Fonts 28. Tel: 971 726551). It has been completely remodelled and offers a great standard of food, service and location.
The floating platform of MINERVA Restaurant was recently demolished on orders of the authorities, and towed away, thus removing one of the more unusual and iconic venues.
S’HAM, closed, and being redeveloped...more news awaited.
It was considered an unregulated floating object!
BOTANIC...closed.
However, the main restaurants and terrace across the road are still open. Tel: 971 351995. Moll de Levant 87.
VELL PARRANDER...closed.
WAY, famous for its Asian cuisine, run by Mr Wang, has closed down. It plans to reopen under completely new management, to be called HAMMETS MESTIZO, offering “vibrant
BIELS CREPERIE...closed.
There is still plenty of choice in this fantastic location, and we particularly recommend SA PUNTA, formerly Club Nautico, (open every single day of the year) Tel: 690 854671. One of the very best in Menorca in terms of food, service and location.
D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T
