Everything began well last Thursday, having pre-paid parking at Liverpool Airport, the screen on the barrier welcomed me by name and in we went – plenty of spare spaces. Across to the terminal for Speedy Bagdrop and an EasyJet flight on time, in fact arriving ten minutes early at Palma. Could have done without the hen and stag party on board, to be fair, but you have to put up with these things!
Bags were off quickly at Palma and with no queues, we spent no longer than four minutes at the
Sixt desk before going across to the car park, to the penetrating dagger gazes of the massive queue at the Goldcar desk! A top of the range Opel Corsa with just 534km on the clock turned out to be a cracking little car.
Drove to PP via Alcudia (for the views!), plenty of parking and off to The
Daina rather early to check in, but intending to leave our bags and go for lunch. Not a bit of it….our room was ready early and so just after noon we could be found, fully unpacked, settled in and sitting in the sun at Joker Bar with Bacardi, Beer and the excellent Pa Amb Oli and, as always, greeted by the staff as old friends.
The first evening a wholesome welcome was extended at Brisa Marina where we had a really terrific meal. Shared bread, olives and Iberico Ham to start with and I had the ever excellent Lamb Chops with Peppers and Garlic. A bottle of 2009 Marques de Riscal hit the spot. Finished off with espresso, and Brisa do the finest I’ve ever tasted – they filter the water and there’s no bitterness at all.
Second night we were off to the new C’an Josep. For those worried about the distance, it’s a 5 Euro taxi ride away and well worth the effort. All the staff gave us a great welcome and the view from out table across the bay was stunning. I had the Ham and Mushroom starter and the Fish of the Day – can’t recall what it was, but Josep recommended it and it was a firm, tasty fish, not unlike Monkfish. After the meal, which of course was excellent, Josep gave us a grand tour of the place – it’s vast! There’s space to cater for the largest function, a stage for visiting artists but most impressive were the kitchens! Massive, spotless as you would expect, but with a cool room for preparing the fish and a temperature regulated store for the wine. Mighty impressive!
The following night we were at that perennial favourite,
Stay, unsurprisingly eating indoors. The service, ambience and setting was, as always, faultless. Now, I normally go with Menu de Dia but decided to eat off the main menu this time. For starter I had aPartridge Ravioli in Wild Mushroom Sauce. I’m afraid it was more “spot the partridge” and the sauce was massively rich and heavy – too much for me, but the mushrooms were very flavoursome. It reminded me why I like the smaller portions from the set menu. I then had a perfectly cooked Guinea Foul which, to be honest, made up for the starter.
Our penultimate night saw us at
El Posito, which seems to me to just get better and better. I had the Seafood Stuffed Peppers, which did not disappoint. My wife and I both had the Roast Suckling Pig. Now, opinions vary as to the best restaurant to eat this dich, but I thing El Posito is right up there with the best. Crackling crackled (which it doesn’t always) and the portion sizes were sensible, unlike some places where you feel put off by the challenge ahead! A recommended Baron de Lay Gran Reserva (their last bottle) was to my taste a very fine wine indeed. As a bonus we bumped into Sparky, with whom I always enjoy a good natter.
So our final night arrived and, surprise, surprise as usual we ate our last meal back at Brisa Marina, which I still think is probably the best value overall in the port, and with a very decently varied menu. Their fresh fish is just terrific and I had the John Dory, which is cooked on the bone and then Francisco fillets it at your table. Absolutely delicious and with another Marques de Riscal, the perfect way to finish our five day break to our favourite place in the world.
The trip to the airport was straightforward, the Sixt
car hire return as slick and helpful as ever and the flight back home on time – what a perfect end to a perfect holiday.
It will be July when we next return to PP, all six of the family, and we can’t wait. For now I’m off to pastures new, to visit an old friend who has moved to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, so a long flight awaits in the morning.
To all fellow PP lovers I offer very best wishes and look forward to you sharing your posts with the rest of us. Bye for now.
Duncan