14 day challenge

[its cd]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

This challenge reflects the choice of our extended family who always seem to descend on PP at the same time as us , in fact “got any spare room” seems to be the only phrase I hear in the months leading up to our stay.

There are invariably at least 3 generations, often including young adults/teens ( not ours ) on student budgets who like to eat with us but also want to pay their way.

So my list may not be of the most expensive or even the best places but certainly gives a diverse spread which could reflect the requirements of many a family

Also apologies Rob ……. I gave up trying to work out who was open when so have only used vague memory to decide

Day 1 TRIO
Now I know this isn’t everyone’s favourite but my daughter would never forgive us if we didn’t start the holiday by visiting Juan. The whole family will have Spag bol starter9 don’t ask me why it’s just a tradition ) followed by various favourites

Day 2 LOS ZARZALES
Fantastic apmosphere, great service, lovelly setting
It’s just got to be Suckling Pig and Tiramasu Island

Day 3 C’an FERRA ( aka the Little People’s )
What can I say about the enjoyable evening spent here , just watching the family interact with one another is a joy to behold …….. its almost like there is a cabaret
Veg soup for starter followed by a Fish dish …… their fish is so good

Day 4 O LUME
Fantastic “classy” service and for those on a budget, the best value set meal you will ever get
Will probably all go for the fantastic value set menu

Day 5 Lunch at the JOKER BAR on walk back to apartment after an enjoyable stroll around the market. Another of our family traditions Various choices but the guys almost certainly will go for a RAF Burger, kids will definitely have one of the 1000 calorie ice cream sundaes

Day 6 OLIVERS
Love the atmosphere , a great place for a large multigenerational family gathering , can’t remember what I have ever eaten here ( mmmm it that because I digested it with Hierbas ! ) but the food has always been good and the live Jaz makes for a great evening ……. Make sure you get a table in the garden

Day 7 El POSITO
Mixed Tapas and whatever special Tony recommends or the Baked Cod El Posito style

Day 8 TANGO
Another long time favourite …….. some will go for the good value set menu, I will go for the steak ……… get a table under the vines for the best of both worlds

Day 9 BAlAIXA
Gorgeous setting, great atmosphere Pork Wellington and the Grand Marnier Bread and Butter Pud ( Apple and Calvados crepes a close second ……. have to persuade hubby to choose these so I get to taste them as well )
……. Could possibly cheat and come back here one lunchtime then stay for the afternoon

Day 10 BAR CORAL
Long time favourite, really close to where we stay , nice friendly staff
Mixed Tumbet and Lamb shank will be the choice of most of our family

Day 11 IVY GARDEN
Goats cheese tarts, Majorcan Sausage and Horseradish Mash, Strawberries and Mascapone

Day 12 BAR LLENAIRE
Probably go early evening straight from the beach ( so we will sit outside ) , have a lovelly Paella before a long, slow stroll home

Day 13 LITTLE ITALY
Handy for where we stay , used to prefer Laroc but it has gone up market so doesdn't really fit into the cheap meal category anymore. Will perhaps try the Italian sited where La Rotunda used to be as an alternative this year
Pizza and Pasta

Day 14 LA FORTALESA
Frito Mallorcian followed by Hake or Shoulder of Lamb

 

[Sazzle]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

Hello Everyone,

Debz and Senor Cigar - I thought your 14 days sounded superb.

CD your 14 days really interested me. Having 2 young children means that most of the super restaurants everyone raves about our rather out of bounds for us. It was good to read a list that included plenty of 'cheap and cheerful' alternatives where I wouldn't feel as though the children were being a nuisance.

We often go to Tango, Little Italy and Jokers. Not because the food is good but simply because they are very easy and welcoming places for families. Our children love the waiter at Jokers. We often pop in for lunch when we've been on the beach. The children are treated like little stars.

Like the sound of Olivers but would have to save that for a night when we have a babysitter.

I wish I could do a 14 day challenge of my own but 10 out of the 14 nights we end up in the Caprabo and then I spend the rest of the night in the kitchen!!!!!!!!

 

[debz1]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

cd and Sazzle

Great choices and good to have a some more child
friendly' recommendations. I can remember going to most of the ones you mentioned ..still do!(and spending time in the kitchen!!) when our children were younger , and they were very different holidays to the ones we now spend, although just as wonderful. Most of the more ' up market restaurants ' will welcome young children as the Spanish are used to dining out late at night with their offspring..and will offer smaller portions. But I think us Brits get embarrassed and can't relax if we feel the kids are ..well being kids!

A baby sitter,if possible ,for one special night is a great idea.

 

[SENOR CIGAR]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

PORTOFAN,
REGARDING THE CIGAR I HAVE TO INFORM YOU THAT I NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN ANY OF THE RESTAURANTS IN PP SMOKING THE SAME.
YES I HAVE TO ADMIT SMOKING BEFORE DURING AND AFTER BUT I DO TRY TO RESPECT NON SMOKERS IF THEY ARE CLOSE BY.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED VERY LITTLE SINCE THE BAN CAME IN LAST YEAR AND IF YOU ASK IN A RESTAURANT THEY WILL SAY WHAT SMOKING BAN? OR WE HAVE PROVIDED A TABLE BY THE ENTRANCE TO THE W/C S FOR THE NON SMOKERS!!
MOST MALLORCIANS LIKE FOOD DRINK AND SMOKING .LONG MAY IT LAST.
:hat :hat :hat :hat :hat :hat :hat :hat :hat :hat

 

[Snowy]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

Debz you will have to re do the list when you get back as I am sure O'Lume will feature high on you list "If you ever get there"

 

[debz1]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

Snowy my bags are packed and I'm ready to go! We're off for a long weekend catching the 7.15 Easyjet tomorrow am. I was meant to be in bed by now!!! Hopefully we'll get to O Lume on one of the three nights...just got to keep Chels away from the drill

Debs

 

[klad1]

Re: Re:14 Day Challenge

Sorry to be off topic but as it was raised by Senor Cigar I'd just like to say that those of us who have had a family member die of lung cancer think differently, never mind the fact that trying to eat with smoke wafting around you is incredibly off putting.

 

[pollensa]

Re: Smoking

Re Smoking - This is a very valid comment but please raise this as a separate topic,

Webmaster

 

[klad1]

Re: Smoking

I was responding to Senor Cigar and his comment about non smokers being put at a table by the wc!

 

[robjay]

14 day challange

I'm so impressed by the resonses to the 14 day challange (not to the smoking disscussion! although I know it's a wind up )
I must confess I am a relative "virgin" when it comes to eating out in PP, sticking to the few well trusted places.
But I plan to change this on my next visit to PP, I'm going to try a lot of new (to me) places and not just in PP .
I know it's a tall order but can I ask all the other well respected more experienced members of the forum to add to this challange. As I stated before it doesn't matter if you can't fill all 14 days what is more important to us "virgins"/newbies is that we can get ideas of where we can go without returning to the same place night after night.
I'll sit down and make up my wish list in the next few days, I know I could fill atleast 7 days which would include places i haven't been to but want to try.
So come on folks please add your ideas and help us "virgins" out:lol .
Take care.

Robjay

 

[robjay]

Re: 14 day challange

Ok ok I know I haven't even attempted my own challange. Well I was out in PP a few weeks ago with my 3 daughters for 9 nights. I'm working on the challange and will post it shortly, just watch this space, some of you will be surprised where we ate ( none of the places were named after an American state:lol ) Some old favorites, some new favorites and 1 or 2 surprises
Take care.

Robjay

 

[Keithmarwell]

Re: 14 day challange

Hi Rob
I will begin another 7 day challange later today
I will visit the Balaixa, O Lume, La Llonja, Can Gorassa,
Los Zaroles,etc etc
Will let you know on my return
Regards Keith

 

[slevinmarie]

Could you recommed a nice place for Lunch.

 

[Turbo]

14 Day Challenge

Just back from 9 glorious days in PP, the weather was fantastic as it always is at this time of year.

I would like to give my account of 9 restaurants we went to during our stay, plus 5 we would have liked to have tried given the time.

Day 1 Las Zarzales
We hadn't been here before, and we weren't disappointed, lovely food and great service. Wife had baby broad beans and chorizo sausage followed by suckling pig. I had mussels followed by monkfish with a lovely almond sauce.
We are looking forward to our next visit.

Day2 Clivia
First tried Clivia over Christmas holidays, a classy restaurant with good food and very attentive service.
Our meals were avocado and prawns follwed by shoulder of lamb for the wife, while I had chiperones with sea bass for my main. Mrs T had creme brulee for her dessert. We like Clivia a lot every thing is spot on, nothing is to much trouble.

Day 3 Es Convent
Thought we would have a job finding this hotel, but read Roy and Katies review on Es Convert and they have a easy route to follow.
What a gem this is, only six tables so if anyone fancies going I would book to be on the safe side.
Had a complimentary dish to start of potato soup with quails eggs and salmon caviar. Starters were ragout of prawns on a bed of chickpeas for the wife, mine was carpaccio of veal. Mains were turbot, lobsterand asparagus for the wife I had loin of lamb. I have never had lamb cooked so well before and I don't mean well done. Wifes dessert was banana fingers in tempura batter with a glass of toffee for dipping and a small pile of tequila and lime jelly. The presentation and service was first class.

Day 4 O Lume
We have been here several times before, what a nice bloke Jaime is, nothing is to much trouble. We both had the same meals of crayfish, creamed vegetables and puff pastry follwed by two medium rare filet steaks. Dessert for the wife was mixed sorbet.

Day 5 La Aup
La Aup means the sea when it is flat calm and clear just right for octopus fishing.
What big portions they served here. I mussels follwed by grilled sea bream, nice white flesh. Mrs T started with the special salad Smoked salmon, prawns avocado etc. and suckling pig for main. She wasn't keen on their way of cooking lechona, much preferred the one at ZZ.

Day 6 IRU
What a lovely setting, we settled for trampo for myself and sea food ravioli for the wife followed by rabbit and prawns for me and pork fillet for the wife. It was nice to sit back after your meal and relax in the open air, people watching.

Day 7 Balaixa
What a way to spend one of Mallorcas balmy evenings, sitting out doors at Balaixa with a couple of G&Ts for the aperitif.
I love fresh mussels so I started with mussels again, the wife had avocado with lightly curried chicken. Another favourite of mine is liver and bacon with onion gravy and the wife had fillet of pork wellington.
Looking forward to trying Balixa Bistro.

Day 8 Tango

We like Tango mainly because they serve Chateaubriand medium rare just how we like it. Istarted with pate and crusty bread, Mrs T with a prawn salad. The sevice is always good and very friendly.

Day 9 C'an Cuarrassa
This was our favourite restaurant, but I think Es Convent
in Alcudia Town has taken over first place.
We spent New Years Eve here it was a fantastic evening.
Wife started with deep fried prawns and I had spaghetti frutti di mare. My main was ragout of fillet of beef with a mustard sauce, wife had shoulder of lamb La Provencale very tasty and pink. Creme brulee for wifes dessert. We had a bottle of Baron De Ley Monasterio Rioja, a very nice deep red wine with plenty of oomph.

Day 10 Ca,n Pacienci
We would both start with hors d'oeuvres, the usual good plate full including lobster. Iwould have a fillet steak for main while the wife has traditional roast duck. Her dessert would be almond cake and ice cream. I would wait for the port and cheese.
The amount of food you get for the price you pay is fantastic value. We can put up with the entertainment from Dudley, for the setting and the good food.

Day 11 Bar Nou
We first ate here a couple of years ago, we had our meal al fresco, the street is not very wide here but it was a nice meal. I think I had mussels to start and a steak for the main, while my wife had a salad followed by grilled tenderloin. Her dessert war mixed sorbet

Day 12 La Fortalesa
Martin is an old friend of ours he used to be Maitre D' at the Woodhouse Hotel in rural Warwickshire. We usually pay him a visit while we are in PP. I would start with trampo and the wife would have asparagus with mayonnaise. Martins shoulder of lamb is delicious, we would have one each. with Mrs T having her dessert of tiramasu.

Day 13 Corb Marie
We haven't been to Corb Marie before, but read ing Senor Cigar's review I would try his choice of Mallorcan sausages with onion and tomato salad followed by grilled rib of beef with a few chips and a nice bottle of Rioja. Sounds just what I like.

Day 14 Ca'n Costa
We haven't tried Ca'n Costa either, but from what Jane and Debz have reported this is also a must go to restaurant. I would like the scallops with asparagus and roasted tomatoes, not sure about the ostrich though.:eek


As you will have guessed, we would have put on a few extra pounds during our stay in the best place in Mallorca Never mind we will watch what we eat for the next few months and hopefully be back to normal for our next visit to Puerto Pollensa in September.:b

Turbo

 

[gladysP]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

I would like to share with you my favourite restaurants, we have just returned from PP (our 6th year) and I feel these 7 eateries are all great for different reasons. I just need to say that we have 2 smallish children, 4 & 6 years and also can't afford to eat expensively every night....so bearing that in mind here they are:

Day 1 Sat
Hotel Bahia on the Pine Walk- Lovely 'blind paella', no bones or shell, great to sit and watch the sea while the kids run around on the beach.

Day 2 Sun
Coral - Great tumbet dishes with chicken, sardines etc. Friendly staff, lollies for the kids and close to where we stay.

Day 3 Mon
Little Italy - Really nice pasta dishes and fab pizzas, the kids love it here as they can play on the beach along with millions of other kids while you wait and staff will split the dishes so you can share.

Day 4 Tue
Maxims - on the square. If you ignore the attitude of the staff the food is lovely and high quality, we had monkfish and king prawns while the children played again with others in the square.

Day 5 Wed
Pepes - near Trio next to the Spar shop, a little gem. Really tasty inexpensive food, good sized portions. Try the grilled king prawns for half the price of the restaurants on the sea front. Pepe is lovely and funny and the children like to talk to the parrot outside.

Day 6 Thurs
Tots - another gem! around the corner from caan ferrer. Only go if you are seriously hungry! They do a fixed price menu for 11.75 euros each and you get..... bottle of wine/beer/water; bread, olives, allioli; starter - loads of choice from salads to spag bol; main course - again big choice but I had shoulder of lamb, delicious and massive, hubby had mallorcan fish, again very good, and dessert - things like profiteroles or peaches and ice cream. I can't recommend it enough for value for money.

Day 7 Fri
Bodega Caan Ferrer - Little People. This is a classic, I love these guys, so friendly and I adore their garlic prawns, they also make their own allioli which is the best. Also their house wine is still only 4.95 euros!! Sadly have to report that grandad died last year but all other family members still working and never change.

Just wanted to share these while they are fresh in my mind, wish we had gone for 2 weeks and could have eaten at another 7 places easily.

 

[ChrisLox]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

If you lived here you would also add Codfather!

 

[sandy]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

I have to admit we've had a fish supper or 2 from there! Washed down with a bottle of Cava.:b

 

[Sazzle]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

Hello GladysP

What a great posting. I have children about the same age as yours so it was nice to read your 7 day challenge. I've been to most of the restaurants you mentioned and agree that they are all great to take children to. I havn't tried Pepes or Tots though. I shall put them on my list for the Summer.

The Bahia is my favourite place for eating, drinking and people watching.

Hope to read some more posts from you.

Sazzle

 

[Joanne]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

Funnily enough a lot of your choices are favourites of ours. Have been meaning to try Tots for a few years, is it the same menu as you get at Trios?

 

[pollensa]

Re: 14 Day Challenge

Tots & Trio are no longer related (I believe) so it is different & as mentioned great value - if you ask for Sangria, especially for 2, you're lucky if you can find your way home - very generous!