We were out for ten days but the following review is the 5 days when friends (first timers to PP) joined us!
!3th Ocober:
El Temple
Melinda and Richard fancied tapas so we headed into Pollensa as we love this little bistro and wanted them to see an authentic Mallorcan restaurant. We wandered up through the square and the winding streets and were relieved to see El Temple was still open as it's rumoured to be up for sale. We sat in the little courtyard at the back and settled down with some wine. While we were looking at the menu another table were delivered their main course of suckling pig and it looked so good we all decided we'd have it too! We had some delicious tapas to start including serrano ham, dates wrapped in bacon and pimientos de padron. The suckling pig was THE best I've ever tasted and was served with potatoes and some nice veg. All washed down with another bottle of wine. Coffee to finish and a liquour each on the house. The bill came to 110 which we all deemed very good value. We then set off for home but as we were walking back through the square we heard music and went to investigate!! In the street that runs parallel to the square and just to the side of the church was a a bar I'd never noticed before called Malanga. A quick nightcap seemed a good idea so in we went! It was very tastefully decorated with cream sofas and nice pictures on the wall...and very noisy. Full of locals some of whom we recognised from local restaurants and a really good atmosphere. Best of all were the prices of the drinks...2 pints and 2 large glasses of wine 9. At that price we had another round which seemed a good idea at the time ! Got home around 3.30 all very happy.
14th Oct:
La Llonja
Friday was warm and sunny so we went to Formentor with a picnic of cheese, pate ,baguettes etc and spent four hours sunbathing and snoozing , and the boys even had a swim! As it was a bit chilly and blowy in the evening we decided to go to La
Llonja and sit inside. The MDD is now cheaper than last year at 27 to include everything, except we did have 3 Ricards and a pint of beer to start! Bread and olives to nibble while we looked at the menu and we all decided on different things but all from the MDD. Starters were fish carpaccio, vegetable soup, Frito marinero and spaghetti amatriana and to follow Osso Buco, Mackerel fillet and two of us had Stuffed aubergine. The service and quality of the food could not be faulted in any way. Can't remember what the dessert was as I was too full but it looked very pretty! Coffees and liquors to finish and the bill came to 135 Exceptional value!
15th Oct:
Stay
M and R's wedding anniversary so we had a wonderful celebratory meal at Stay. We sat by the waters edge and with the heaters on it was more than warm enough (no blankets required!) MDD again which includes bread, olives ,an amuse, starter, main course, dessert, wine, water, coffee, and liquors. Like La Llonja this restaurant cannot be beaten on value and quality. Things beginning to get a bit hazy now but starters included thai fish soup and spicy fishcakes . For main course three of us had pork fillet in curry sauce and one mixed meat skewer. We had secretly ordered a bottle of cava and told the waiter it was for an anniversary so instead of individual desserts they presented us with a sharing plate of fruit, ice cream , sorbet and a sort of cheese cake and had written Happy Anniversary in chocolate sauce on the plate! M and R were very touched. Bill came to 135 excluding the cava. We then staggered to
Nostalgia for fun and frolics and got home VERY late...again! No Sparky though!
16th October:
Es Res ( Portals Vells)
Went for a drive through the mountains and stopped off for a drink in Valdemossa. Then on to Portalls Vells which is about 3 miles from Magaluf
but could not be more different. Some other friends introduced us to this lovely little beach restaurant set in a picturesque bay( Think CSV but prettier) The paella here is to die for so we decided we'd all have that, but being very greedy we shared a plate of the most deliciously fresh sardines to start, along with bread and olives. Washed down with 2 bottles of wine, water and coffees and the bill was 120 (not cheap for a beach restaurant but very good). This is where all the 'big boys' sail in to the bay and then come ashore for lunch. We spied one called 'One More Toy' (how pretentious
) and I couldn't resist googling it when we got back to see who owns it. Apparently it's a charter which you can hire for 200,000 a week!!!!!!! After driving back we were too tired to go out ( and we all secretly wanted to watch Strictly and X Factor) so we stayed in and raided the fridge. All feeling VERY fat and 'fooded out' by now!
!7th Oct:
Joker
The market in Pollensa was shelved as it was raining. Went to Joker for a cooked breakfast before driving R and M back to the airport. Great value and view as always even though it was teeming down! I think it was about 35 for a full English and two cups of coffee each.
So after 5 great days we waved our good friends off and returned to PP for a few more days to detox and recover. We did manage a few more meals though!
Nostalgia
Went here early one evening as it had been raining all day and we were going stir crazy and needed a walk! We managed to sit outside albeit using the sun shade as an umbrella! I had the red Thai chicken curry , which was amazing and very hot, and Malc had chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms in a delicious sauce. Had a nice chat to Colin and said how fortunate he was to have bagged Ross! I can't remember what the bill was but it was very reasonable. Really good food and a great addition to the Port . No Sparky though ...again!!
Little Italy: Great pizzas...rubbish service!
Mirch Massala Best Indian takeaway in the Port although have never eaten in. For location I would probably say Kashmir is better but as we only ever have an Indian takeaway when in PP I prefer Mirch by far.
We had really wonderful time introducing our friends to Mallorca and now they know what we are always raving about. They loved PP and want to visit again very soon. Been back in the UK for just over a week and missing 'home' already.
The diet has begun in earnest.......