We have recently returned from another wonderful holiday in PP, the highlight of our holiday is eating out and catching up with old friends. This year there was only 4 of us but we still found it advisable to book restaurants in advance to avoid any disappointment. It’s always worth seeking out local Pollenca wines – these are delicious and add a special touch to your meal.
The quality of the food, service and friendliness of the restaurant staff were excellent, with the exception of one previous old favourite (see trip report 2).
Day 1
Nicos – As always, a lovely warm welcome from Marcos and his team. We shared a starter of Nicos Roulette Wheel and Spicy chicken wings (they really are spicy and tasty). Followed by Utah steak, entrecote steak (huge!) crazy chicken quesadillas and Nicos Burger. Only 1 dessert tonight - apple crumble and ice cream (you may start to notice a theme with this dessert!). Tried a new local wine El Elemental Tinto – excellent!
Day 2 –
El Posito a long time favourite and well worth a visit. Yet another lovely welcome from Tony and the team. They have a new chef and he has brought a new dimension to an already excellent kitchen. Shared calamari, garlic prawns (one of the best in the port) and cod and prawn croquettes. Followed by suckling pig (lovely crispy crackling – everyone had a piece), 2 x John Dory with caramelised onions and tenderloin beef with a giant prawn. 3 desserts tonight (appetites back!) Almond cake & ice cream, mandarin sorbet and apple pie & ice cream. Tony recommended we try a new customary drink on the house - this can be best described as ‘rocket fuel’ – proceed with care (ha ha)!!! Another local vino tinto – Mortitx.
It was great to catch up again with Lyn and Colin – a warm friendly couple.
Day 3 – Iru, wonderful setting, excellent cuisine and warm attentive staff. We were served with an ‘unusual’ but refreshing amuse bouche of melon soup topped with crispy serrano ham. Miss Gourmand recommends her favourite starter of Caesar Salad of which we had 2 (!) along with green salad with goats cheese (lovely toasted nuts) and delicious parmesan risotto & truffles. This was followed by turbot stuffed with asparagus & serrano ham (Mr Gourmand’s favourite dish of the holiday), Mozzarella & tomato ravioli, tagliatelli amatriciana and cod with lime and garlic mayo. Finished with coffee,2 x crème brulee and mandarin sorbet. Tonight we had a celebratory (great exam result) bottle of cava and Mortitx tinto and watched the moon rise slowly over the PP bay.
Day 4 –
Cellar la Parra, we have been going to this wonderful, quirky restaurant for years and are really delighted that so many others have found this special place. Remember to book in advance; sit inside to enjoy the full experience. Tonight we started with prawn cocktail (with the prawns!), melon and serrano ham and chicken croquettes followed by shoulder of lamb (meat so tender it falls of the bone) and 3 x chicken with pepper sauce. 3 desserts - chocolate cake (really rich), forest fruit cheesecake and a chocolate ice cream. The vino jarra de la casa is always something special – try it!
Day 5 – O’Lume – what can you say, beautiful, peaceful garden setting with wonderful Galician cuisine. Jaime and his front of house assistant provide a relaxing and professional customer experience. The attention to detail and presentation of the food is exceptional. We were served with a tasty garlic potato amuse bouche while we waited for our starters of sizzling garlic prawns, quail ravioli and 2x ricotta raviolis with truffle sauce. Followed by confit of duck with raisins & pine nuts (Mrs Gourmand’s dish of the holiday), 2 x cod, tomato and garlic sauce and a sea bass with martini sauce. Only 2 desserts this time a coconut crème brulee and a fruit salad. All washed down with ½ bottle rose and 2 bottle of Montenegro tinto from Binissalem
Day 6 – back to Nicos for the world cup final! The restaurant was full and Marcos and the team coped really well under pressure. Started with our usual roulette wheel and spicy chicken wings, followed by porky sirloin, Utah steak, chicken enchilada and a new dish - pulled pork burger declared excellent by our own burger expert! Mr Gourmand had his usual apple crumble & ice cream, two of us shared the carrot cake which was really moist and tasty, Miss G had a 2 scoop sundae. As we enjoyed El Elemental so much the last time we had to have 2 bottles!! Tex mex food is not everyone’s cup of tea however the quality of the food, in particular the steaks are excellent. It’s a great place for all ages – the younger members of our party love it!
Then we were off to the march of the demons and the fireworks - what a spectacle and great end to the night.
Day 7 –
Nostalgia, Kenny’s cooking draws us back here every visit. He is a great chef and we cannot praise his cooking highly enough. Starters tonight were langoustines in batter, goats cheese salad, Thai fish cakes & chicken tempura. Followed by chicken green Thai curry, duck in port sauce, chicken & stuffing with mushroom sauce and langoustines with fries. Dessert comprised apple crumble & custard (Mr G !) and caramel shortbread & ice cream. Drinks included vino de la casa tinto, glass of rose, beers and various cocktails (hic!). Bistro atmosphere up until 10ish then the fun begins.
Part 2 to follow