Starlit feasts & midsummer magic

While the solstice may have come and gone, the way I see it is the entire month of July can be considered midsummer – which gives us all the more reason to use each midsummer night wisely. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a very special midsummer event in one of the island’s most beautiful hidden gems: Pure House Ibiza. This gorgeous little San Jose guesthouse has just four rooms – yep, one two, three, four, that’s all folks – so very few people are lucky enough to step foot over its boho chic threshold each year. Which seems kind of a shame really, since its elegant style and laidback ambience are so heavenly the world deserves to know about it.

With this in mind, Pure House Ibiza owner Caroline Foraz decided to open up its doors to the outside world just a few times this season, allowing those in-the-know to book a seat at a pop-up dinner held in their beautiful olive groves. Limited seating meant the first event sold out fast, thanks to island family and friends wanting to be among the first to take part in A Midsummer Night’s Feast, as the event was appropriately called and let me tell you, this was no ordinary dinner in a hotel’s adjacent farmland. This was the kind of alfresco banquet dreams are made of…

First things first however, arriving to Pure House Ibiza on the night was like walking into a fairytale. As the sun began to set over the hills in San Jose, hypnotic, rhythmic shamanic house beats floated very softly over the airwaves and guests had their energy cleansed with fresh sage (optional of course – I say bring it on – every little bit helps in high summer!) before sipping on bespoke cocktails and making their way to the custom-built wooden bar in a clearing just above the pool.

Adjacent to the bar was a gorgeous pop-up shop space, in which designer Barbara Bonner was displaying a carefully curated selection of her signature pieces and best sellers – think luxe leather, fringed bags, wear-anywhere ponchos, elegant silk pyjama pants (the kind you don’t wear to bed!) and gorgeous headpieces. The divine Miss BB herself was on hand to help guests style themselves and find the perfect piece to suit them. After all, how perfect could a midsummer night be without shopping?

Once all the guests had arrived – fashionably late in true Ibiza style, but hey, it’s midsummer and the nights are long so there was no rush to be anywhere else – an amazing tribal fire performance took place by the pool. It was the kind of show that made you want to run away and join the circus. These performers had some serious skills! Once the show was over, it was time to ascend that bespoke wooden staircase leading into the olive groves and take a seat at the long communal table, elegant in its simplicity – all dressed in white and accessorised with simple olive sprigs…

As old friends and new acquaintances mingled beneath the moonlit sky, the feasting began. Part French, part Japanese, made with the freshest Mediterranean ingredients and with touches of Ibiza, Mexico and Thailand woven throughout, the menu was designed by one of Ibiza’s leading caterers, Benjamin Croquet Catering and included tasty treats such as foi gras and pear maki with caramelised kiwi, fried futomaki lollipops (basically the best tempura sushi on a stick ever!), Chirashi bowls, Thai basil salmon baked in parchment, the fluffiest quinoa, mango and tofu salad and sooooo much more. I hear even the hardest-to-please of vegans walked away from this dinner happy…

It was one of those nights that felt like the Ibiza of old (yes, I’m going to be that girl and say it). Authentic, elegant and more boho-chic than even Stevie Nicks could ever dream to be, it was a midsummer night to remember. Music, friendship, magic, spirituality, gastronomy and fashion all rolled flawlessly into one event and if you’ve read this far and feel sad that you missed out, fear not! The next instalment of A Midsummer Night’s Feast takes place on July 26, 2018 – but trust me, you need to be quick to reserve your place at the table. Make haste to the booking page link below and snap up a seat now, and I will do the same, just as soon as I’ve finished posting. It was definitely an affair to remember and one I will happily do all over again.