Hi all!
We spent a few nights recently in Palma on a city break and I trust I will be forgiven for writing a few words about the food and drink aspects.
So many of us go straight from the airport to our destination and the reverse on the way home we never see anything of the city and it's attractions.
On the evening of our arrival we found a bar terrace not too far from our
hotel and the G+T's came a la Jose in Bony's, so we sipped away and watched as people went in to the restaurant inside to eat. There was a blackboard outside with a Plato del Dia which was Lentejas , a lentil stew, Spanish and not peculiar to Mallorca. We decided to both have this and were brought the token bread and olives , while we chose a red Rioja to go with our meal.
Two large tureens put down before us , containing a hot steaming lentil stew with potatoes, onions and plenty of spicy chorizo. And absolutely delicious it was too.
While having our aperitifs we had seen a tiny little very smartly dressed man go inside and meet some folks at the bar and they all sat to dinner with liberal supplies of
drinkies. Lots of laughter and joking going on.
Then the little man starts to sing a la Edith Piaf and to all diners. This could have been a pain but was great entertainment with some diners getting him to do encores.
Coffees and brandies followed , naturellement!
I wont give details of every place we were in. In a city that size you just go and if some place suits you, in you will go and hopefully enjoy, as we did for pit stops on our walking sojourns. I'd mention a few to enjoy soaking up the scene as your thirst is slaked.
At the Placa de la Reina just at the start of Carrer Conquistador is Cappuccino Palau March. This is a very classy terraced cafe which looks out from arches down towards the Placa Reina and the very smart waiters serve up nicely presented fare to a pretty hip clientele , many of whom on our visit, had been round the nearby designer shops on Avenguda Jaume 111 earlier on the Saturday.
We had also appreciated Cafe Bonaire on Carrer Bonaire, off Jaume 111, where many patrons were enjoying a coffee and a read of the various daily papers provided on little poles. When we were there in the morning we did not feel it too fresh, but the waiters went to great trouble with patio heaters to ensure ours and everyone else's comfort.
Having been a few times on day trips to the city we had taken lunch in a little restaurant El Gallego on Carrer Carmen which runs off a Square of the same name about halfway along La Rambla. Our previous visits had been on weekdays and we were the only tourists among business types, civil servants and office workers. Narrow frontage in a lane doesn't look all that inviting.
We'd sussed out about 1pm it was open and wandered down La Rambla , for a copa vino tinto and the came back 1.45.
Wow! Saturday crowd so different!
Family groups, 4, 6, 8, 10 and so on, all generations. Serrano hams and black puddings above the bar.
No concessions to English speaking!
Fumar o no fumar?
Vino ?
Agua?
And place your order from the Menu del Dia, a Special menu or a la carte or chef's suggestions!
Noise , atmosphere , amazing dishes coming out, and we'd always found the accompanying wine very nice.
Sort of place if you like
El Posito would suit you to T, with a capital letter. Indeed you might find El P a little timid after that! Apologies Toni and Angela!!
But as I said there are just so many places to choose from and hopefully everyone can enjoy wherever they choose.
We saw the places Penny White had mentioned in Unio and at the top of Passeig de Born, a wonderful people watching site.
Do the city? Yes we would again and I'd recommend it but not in high summer! Too hot !!