As we start off the new year I would like to draw to your attention three different restaurants and styles of cuisine.
El GRECO
I have always said that if someone starts a good Greek restaurant in Mallorca it will probably do well. After all the basic ingredients of a Greek menu are abundantly available here.
Anyway, someone has and it´s called El Greco and is in the new Festival Park complex, just off the Palma-Alcudia/Pollenca motorway at Marratxi.
Although not a great fan of the complex as a whole it´s worth the trip to go to El Greco.
Naturally the decor is brand new and has been cleverly and tastefully designed giving a light and airy feel with some ´Greek touches´ creating a good ambiance.
There are small, intimate booths that sit 4-6 and towards the other end of the restaurant they have the ability to arrange tables to sit quite a sizable party.
We went there during the day but I would guess that the ´starlight´ ceiling in the evening adds an extra atmosphere.
When you arrive you are given some dips with bread. Here I have to give my first criticism- no pitta bread!
The menu is in three languages and is reasonably comprehensive without being too elaborate.
We didn´t go for it, but next time we´ll try the ´special Greek tapas (mezze) menu´ with 10 dishes for 30 Euros (min 2 persons).
We choose their plate of mixed starters which is a selection of different and delicious hor´s d´oevres; hummus, taramosalata, potato salad, tzatziki, dolmades and goats cheese salad with roast peppers and bread (again no pitta!).
For our main courses we chose lamb kebabs and a pork tenderloin stuffed with goats cheese and herbs. Both dishes came with a good selection of mixed vegetables. They were both excellent and enormous portions.
With a couple of drinks first and a bottle of very acceptable Greek rose wine the bill came to 53 Euros. Well worth it.
El Greco- Marratxi, Tel: 971 226739
PINOS
There is no doubt that the Sol de Mallorca area, near the casino, is now on the map with excellent roads etc. Reflecting this, Pinos restaurant-bar is a modern and first class establishment.
Opening up again in mid January after their winter break, Oldus Weisser, the German owner / chef will be offering good value-for-money cuisine.
His dishes are imaginative combinations of different styles of cooking that should tempt all palates.
If you are going to the casino or not you really should drop into Pinos for a drink or a meal.
Pinos- Sol de Mallorca,Tel: 971 13 30 93
Nearing the casino look out for the ´Pinos´ sign to the left.
MEN GU
The Men Gu Chinese Restaurant has been in operation for some months now but I have waited to see if they maintained the quality that they started out with before mentioning it; they have now passed the test of time.
Apart from an extensive menu of 89 dishes what I recommend is their ´buffet libber´ where you can chose to eat as much as and as varied as you like (self service 40 dishes) for a fixed price.
Mondays to Fridays the lunch ´buffet libre´ is priced at 6 Euros (children under 10- 3 Euros). Saturdays and dinner 7.50 Euros (children- 4 Euros). This is an excellent value ´economy´ restaurant.
Men Gu- C/ Joan Miro 7, El Tereno, (Between Mercadonna and the Petrol Station- on the opposite side of the road.) Tel: 971 453064
Bon Apetit, Luncher