EATING OUT

By Lorraine and the team

the modern, tastefully decorated restaurant – or outside on the terrace which offers beautiful views over the north coast.

CAN DELIO Calas Fonts by Graham East.

A party of 4, we went to Can Delio for their 25 euro menu del dia with a choice of 3 starters, main courses and postres. We started with an amusebouche of a deep fried vegetable beignet. Two of the party had the fried mussels, a good size portion whilst the others had smoked sardine on Russian salad, nice presentation and taste. Two of the party had the grilled sea bass as their main and one had the roast lamb shoulder. The lamb was tender and moist and fell off the bone. Typical Spanish main course with minimal vegetables but well cooked and presented. The other diner had the vegetarian paella which was an individually cooked dish with asparagus and mushrooms, an unusual combination but enjoyed. For desserts, all home made, one diner had the tiramisu, strong coffee flavour and creamy top. The other 3 had the cheesecake which was a good flavour and texture though the biscuit base was very hard and too thin. Overall we were well satisfied but if you had a good appetite you would probably find the portions a bit on the small side. They also have an extensive a la carte menu and we would certainly visit again. With drinks, a bottle of Emilio Moro, coffee and tip the final bill was 140 euros.

TRÉBOL,

Calas Fonts. 971 367097. €€€€

Who remembers the hilarious 1976 film “Spanish Fly” starring Terry Thomas and Leslie Phillips? It’s all about a man accidentally turning some poor tasting wine into a “love potion”. Incredibly nonPC! You can still get it on Amazon! Anyway, the star of the show was Trébol restaurant, little more than a cave in those days! It set them up quite well, and they are featured in our list of 50-Yearold restaurants still in the same family! They were founded in 1969.

Incredibly popular, and very well booked up! People come back here year after year to enjoy the freshest fish and the friendliest and most efficient service. Don’t expect fancy sauces or “chef’s tricks” here, just honestly and simply prepared top quality fish brought in every day.

And of course, a choice of alternatives for non-fish eaters!

Buying fish by the kilo can surprise you a little, as the weight includes the head, the tail, fins and entrails! So check it out if you are worried! The local and delicious Cap Roig fish, for example, has a huge and heavy head!

SA PUNTA, Calle Miranda de Calas Fonts. 690 854671.€€€€

My top choice for a very special restaurant meal in Menorca! So many plus-factors: Open every day of the year! The finest imaginable location with 300 degree views of Mahon harbour and Calas Fonts! Very professional and attentive staff! Delicious food with some very exciting dishes, with new ones on the way! They own two gin brands too (GLOP and INNAT), so you will find these integrated into some of the dishes! Plus, round off your meal with their delicious selection of organic Hierbas. Definitely a cut above the usual offering.

They are testing new dishes which may include: Tartar of wild tuna, kimchi and white garlic, Pancetta glazed with sweet sherry and Chinese Five Spices, Paella with rabbit and roast peppers, Hake with Pak Choi, sautéed with a touch of garlic and basil (a real winner as the fish was top quality). Baby roast chicken with lemon, bulgar wheat and harissa, plus a delicious, simply, fresh truly genuine Green Salad, a rarity in Menorca!

HOTEL XUROY TERRACE RESTAURANT, Cala Alcaufar. 971

151820. €€€

Here is another venerable establishment, having opened in a much more modest way in 1947! It was in fact the first “resort hotel” in Menorca, and is still in the hands of the same family. The current “younger generation” is now in charge and, best of all, the beautifully situated terrace restaurant has a fabulous chef this season!

Six of us had a recent lunch and we were all delighted with it. The best croquetas ever (seafood), the most delicious mussel and prawn spaghetti (can’t wait to have it again), great selection of fresh fish, even on a Monday. Sardines were highly commended, as was the John Dory. They offer an a la Carte menu plus a list of Specials, and a variety of fresh fish brought in that morning. An exceptional meal. We drank the House Rosado, which was pale and very palatable. They are famous for their paellas too, and it’s recommended that you order this in advance.

ES RACO DE MACARET, Carrer de sa Costa 21, Na Macaret 971 112039.

Macaret is such a charming former “fishing village” with a lovely beach, and no actual hotels. Made famous as the landing place of the last British occupation forces in 1898. They chose a good spot. They were mainly Scottish troops and thought they’d arrived on the Clyde in unusually kind weather! Obviously, it will be very busy indeed come July and August, but in June it was almost deserted. There are two very pleasant restaurants just back from the car park, and now there is this new establishment, which used to be a local bar. What a discovery! They have separate menus for lunch and dinner. (Check out their website). Prices very reasonable. Their Lobster and Rice stew is a mere 28 € per person! We tried some unusual dishes, such as Leeks cooked on a barbecue grill with an anchovy hollandaise sauce, cured rump of beef with courgettes on a “coca” pastry, and deep-sea red prawns with garlic and red peppers. We washed it down with a reasonably priced Rose from Bordeaux for a change. A lovely experience. Don’t be in a rush, and do book!

TAPES (CAN AVELINO), Fort de l’Éau. Carrer Sa Sinai des Murat 39. 971 091104. €€

There has been a restaurant on this premises in the same family ownership for many years. In recent years the younger generation have completely revamped the dining room, added an outdoor terrace and developed a really innovative menu. As the name suggests, the offering is indeed ¨Tapas¨, but with a difference. In fact, they are more like ¨raciones¨. If you can gather a few friends together, then you can order a great variety to share, as each item is enough for one person, but ideal to share between four people. That’s the joy of dining in Spain in my opinion, but I do know some people who absolutely insist on having their “own dish¨! Well, that´s their loss in my humble opinion!

Some of our favourites include octopus salad, with avocado, tomato, crispy wanton and lime vinaigrette, Thai Wok vegetables with prawns and rice, Fillet steak with foie shavings, caramelised onions and Pedro Jimenez reduction or try the sword fish carpaccio with pistachios and ginger.

Great desserts include Chocolate and Guinness cake. Wines from 3 euros per glass or 16 euros a bottle.

CAN AVELINO 23, Carrer Sinaí des Muret 23. 971 091744. €

Although in the same family ownership as Tapes, it could not be more different! They specialise in feeding quite large groups very efficiently and offer great value. But don’t let this put you off if you simply want to eat with a friend on a table for two. You will receive the same attentive service. The outside tables offer a most unusual view of a small Llaut floating in a blue pool! Their “menu del dia” changes regularly, offering five different starters and five main courses, and home-made desserts. The price is a mere 13 euros which includes beer, wine, water or soft drink. Hard to beat which is why it is always busy!

CARDAMOM, Moll de llevant 267, near the original lift. 871 504602. €

As the name suggests, this is an Indian restaurant, and in my view offers the most authentic food from that Continent in Menorca, utilising only fresh Menorcan ingredients. They also offer take-always and home delivery.

All the Indian regulars plus some special recommendations. They also offer a Menu de Dia for 17.90 Euros with a choice of three starters plus various styles of chicken or vegetable curry, and various levels of chili heat of course!

THAI MENORCA, Carrer de Levant 40, Binisafua. 971 151586. (Booking online recommended).

One more ethnic restaurant for this month’s issue which I unreservedly recommend for authenticity and deliciousness. I have been to Thailand many times, and this is about as good as it gets without actually being in the country! And what’s more, Thai massages are also available to book!

Werner, the German owner, is a “charismatic” gentleman whose family have been in Menorca for very many years, and his chefs are all from Thailand.

The full and very tempting menu is on their website. The hotness of the dishes are indicated by the chilli symbol. A wide range of meat, poultry, seafood and vegetable dishes are on offer. This is definitely a place for sharing plates!

By Michael Stevenson