Suggestions for PP virgins!

[PaulB]

Hi all,

Here's a question to all of you PP foodies out there:

We are going to PP for the first time in mid/late May. There are three of us: Myself, the better half and 12 year old son. We are very much on a budget and I estimate we will have around £100 / £120 per day to spend. This includes everything i.e. food, drinks, transportation (although we do intend to use buses / hired bikes / Shanks pony wherever possible) and everything else. We are staying at Duva appartments but reckon we will walk into PP each day without any problem. We will not be eating at Duva by the way.

Firstly, do you think this is a realistic budget especially with the current exchange rate? We reckon we will want to spend no more than 40 - 50 Euros on an evening meal for the three of us. We would prefer to eat our main meal in the evening, late (when in Rome etc.), and not to be limited to set menus (although are not totally adverse if they are interseting).

Second, we would very much appreciate any recommendations with regard to our budget. Please, no burgers, pizzas or Tex-Mex, as we intend to eat authentic Mallorquin and plenty of seafood wherever possible. We have pencilled in O Lume as one of our possible "over budget" venues as a response to the favourable reviews in this forum. Other places that have caught our eye are Los Zarales, Brisa Marina, Los Pesdadores. Are these realistic choices on our budget? Would like to eat at Stay and may try to lunch there one day as an evening meal looks too expensive.

By the way, my son has a huge appetite and very adventurous tastes (as indeed do I). He can't wait to try suckling pig, rabbit, snails and octopus / squid. Other kids want them as pets, he wants to eat 'em! I am attempting to "educate" him and he will eat most things kids usually turn their noses up at. He already shares my love of olives, anchovies, oysters etc. This will be his first time abroad, so it should be a real eye (and belly!) opener for him, both culturally and gastronomically.

[sunny]

Think you should be okay on your budget, last year we managed on £100 when rate was 1.20 two adults, 11 year old and 8 year old. Lots of choice on set menus. Found visa bills on average we spent £46 for four of us with wine and drinks. If you don't fancy walk in to town, on way to the beach you pass Golden Lion the half roast chicken is hard to beat think it was about 12 euro for half chicken, chips or jacket salad garlic bread and drink. Sparrow bar behind Panorama hotel also nice. Paella at Llinaire (turn left when get to beach) very good.

Sure you will have a fab time, can't wait to go back.

[BonysLad]

Paul,

Welcome to the forum,

To answer your question I woukld recommend the following:

a) If the weather is inclement, go for eating MDD lunchtimes which in all Mallorquian establishments is exceptional value for the quality of food served.

b) If the weather is good and you really want to eat late watch the starter prices . The more I walk around this place the more you notice that most starter prices will be between 7 - 10 Euros, hell of a lot when you think sterling equivalent !!!!. If you are eating evening go for main courses only (If you don't want set menus and there is no stigma attached to doing this ) and then a pud as these are generally not too dear. It will be unusual to get ripped off here for the wine so you should be able to keep within budget.

c) Another option is to do a cheapo MDD lunchtime on alternative days which might stretch your budget on the other nights. Believe it or not you can get food fatigue ehen you are eating dinner out every night. Bonyladette is preparing me Sausage , Eggs and chips as I write ( and we haven't been out dining for a few days !!! )

I'm sure you will have a great time here, think you can manage it within your budget.

BonysLad

[sws97sdg]

Hi Paul
Another suggestion, and what we tend to do is to go for a starter and main and no pud, we then go down to the front, get ice creams and walk up and see the boats, a great way to walk dinner off before a night cap, as everyone has said we are sure you will enjoy it.

[PaulB]

Thanks for your replies.

I think we will be eating plenty of paella, Sunny. Hopefully, the chicken and chips can wait until we get home.

Bonyslad, do you have any recommendations for good authentic, reasonably priced Mallorquian food? (Big servings to save on starters!). Hope you enjoyed your sausage, egg and chips.

[BonysLad]

Originally Posted by PaulB

Thanks for your replies.

I think we will be eating plenty of paella, Sunny. Hopefully, the chicken and chips can wait until we get home.

Bonyslad, do you have any recommendations for good authentic, reasonably priced Mallorquian food? (Big servings to save on starters!). Hope you enjoyed your sausage, egg and chips.

Paul,

Thanks for putting me in the firing line!!!!

You won't go far wrong at El Posito, Ca'n Andreu, Los Zarzales, La Parra, Naciente, Brisas Marina,Los Oliveras etc etc Just read many of the reviews and you will get the picture. If you want paella read the thread on here re " Best Paella " , afraid I'm more of a carnivore so can't comment too much on those slippery creatures called fish !!!!

Sure you'll have a great time though.

BonysLad

[Pam and Dave]

For an authentic spanish meal go to C'an Ferras. The menu is excellent(a lot is seafood based ) and it never ceases to amaze us how inexpensive it is .We always feel we have to have a drink after our meal to bump up the price of our evening! I reckon a seafood paella for 3 and a bottle of house wine would probably only set you back about 35 euros.

[its cd]

Endorse recommendation for C'an ferra

Also do try the mdd at Tango and Trio - 16euros a head for 3 courses and wine/beer ..... great value

We also do the no desert but get an ice cream trick on occasions ........... make sure you get it from the "helados " hut right near the mini roundabout - great ice cream and half the price of the Ben and Jerry's

I would normally recommend Tapas from Neptuno but there have been a couple of recent posts about creepy crawley additions to the place which has rather put me off

I would also recommend Coral Bar - if you go for the leg of lamb and Tumbet you will not need a starter or a desert - portions are massive ............. if you just go for main courses at Coral it is really reasonable BUT watch out for the drinks; starters and deserts because thats what bumps the price up

And don;t forget to treat yourself some nights ............ its worth it and a 9euro a head mdd lunch to compensate the day after can be great fun , especially if on a not too sunny day

[Joanne]

Depending on where you are staying there is a thread on here about a take away called Casa Isabel which is behind the main square that looking at the menu does some nice Majorcan dishes which would work out cheaper than going to a restaurant we are thinking of getting from here one night eating on our balcony and then going up the ice cream hut for the normal evening people watching would save a fair amount I think

[PaulB]

Thanks for all of suggestions, guys / gals.

Keep 'em coming!

[Smiddy]

Casa Isobel is a a good shout! One of their portions will easily do 2 people and may even challenge your lad to finish. Also have a look at the advertised prices on the restuarants advertising on this site, a lot will quote prices, which will give you a idea. Obviously don't just sit down on any restaurant without checking the prices first.

[PaulB]

Cheers Smiddy,

It's the first time I've heard of Casa Isobel. Doesn't seem to be listed on the restaurant thread. Where is it and what type of food?

[pollensa]

Originally Posted by Smiddy

Obviously don't just sit down on any restaurant without checking the prices first.

See them here: Restaurants, Cafes, Bars in Puerto Pollensa (Port de Pollenca), Majorca Mallorca - many have sample menus with prices.

[Mandyproc]

Hi PaulB

Opposite Casa Isable is El Cafe - Spanish bar with vey reasonable prices, well they were last year when we were there, very friendly and accommodating, my little one loved it as he always got a little 'tapas' dish free almost every time we went in.

Would go along with the recommendations for Trios too - we ate there about 3 times last year and excellent value for money and huge choice too!

[PaulB]

Thanks Mandyproc,

I found a thread with the details and a menu. Is it takeaway only?