Divine dining

The art of dining out is having a resurgence in Ibiza. Getting dressed up and gathering a group of your nearest and dearest, or making a date night of it with your loved one, is this season’s number one thing to do and holidaymakers are going all out in their efforts to make each meal a special occasion. With this in mind, we’ve seen the Ibiza restaurant scene lift its game with world-class chefs, exceptionally creative cuisine and jaw-dropping locations. Leading the way is 7Pines Resort Ibiza, the luxurious five-star hotel complex (part of Destination by Hyatt) perched on the cliff’s edge at Cala Conta on the island’s west coast.

In fact, the resort’s culinary offerings have been in such high demand with hotel guests while it was at full occupancy all season that access to external diners was limited in peak season. Now that September is here however, island foodies can put 7Pines Resort Ibiza back on their must-visit lists as the hotel’s three signature restaurants and the iconic pool bar extend an open invitation to island visitors and residents once again. At the helm of the resort’s culinary concept is Executive Chef Óscar Salazar, a Michelin-trained man whose aim is to ensure each and every diner that comes through the (proverbial) doors experience a ‘wow moment’ with his creations. “My inspiration? Curiosity, experience, travels,” he says. “My life is my recipe.”

7Pines Resort Ibiza Executive Chef Andrés Fernández and his teams at The View, Cone Club, Pershing Yacht Terrace and the Infinity Pool Bar are ready and waiting to deliver unforgettable ‘wow moments’.

The jewel in the 7Pines Resort Ibiza dining crown is The View, a second-floor restaurant with panoramic vistas over the Mediterranean, across to the legendary Es Vedra and front-row sunset views – especially in September, when the sun melts into the sea right in front of the terrace. Afterwards, the stars and moon twinkle above, reflected in the sea below, while the balmy Mediterranean breeze floats through the air – the terrace is the very epitome of alfresco luxury. Here, Salazar has used his high-level kitchen expertise to create a gastronomic journey for all the senses. His unique interpretation of modern Mediterranean cuisine is nothing short of exquisite – matched only by the spectacular location in which it is enjoyed.

When it comes to celebrating a special occasion, The View is one of the finest dining destinations in Ibiza. The creative menu includes appetisers such as veal sweetbread with Jerusalem artichoke, hazelnut and black truffle; sepia with razor clams, green beans and Granny Smith apple; and homemade foie gras mi-cuit with local figs and caramelised onion. Mains are equally as decadent – think blue lobster with zucchini, stracciatella de bufala and Taggiasca olives or a mushroom ravioli with spinach, black truffle and Parmesan. Salazar curates a four-course and a six-course tasting menu (including vegetarian options) with an optional wine pairing that showcases the very best of The View in one sitting. From the first bite of your amuse bouche through to the last sip of your dessert cocktail, the experience is like nothing else in Ibiza.

Downstairs at ground level, Cone Club is the resort’s more laid-back dining destination – with views every bit as spectacular as its sophisticated upstairs counterpart. It’s a more bohemian affair in this part of 7Pines Resort Ibiza – low-slung sofas, colourful cushions, floor rugs and a colour palette that complements the kaleidoscopic hues of the sky at sunset. Meals are a relaxed affair here, and Salazar offers a varied casual Mediterranean menu to enjoy from sunset through until late. Whether it’s a selection of tapas (accompanied by sangria, of course) as you take in the sunset, or a hearty main meal such as the hand-picked butcher’s cut of the day for meat lovers or the catch of the day for fans of fish, there’s something to suit all appetites.

DJs spin a distinctly Balearic soundtrack from dusk until late, punctuated with the symbolic sound of the giant gong ringing at the precise moment of sunset. Settling in and watching the sunset is all part of the Cone Club magic – the hardest part is deciding what to order. The sunset tapas is hard to resist, with silky hand-sliced Iberico ham, artisanal Ibicenco cheeses with fig jam, the ever-popular Iberico ham croquetas and more. The main menu takes diners on a tour of the Med, from Greek Feta salad and Italian Burrata to Andalusian style squid for starters, then moving onto Mediterranean seabass, Spanish beef sirloin and grilled octopus for mains. Be sure to sample the restaurant’s signature Zarzuela – a Spanish fish and seafood stew (for two) that tastes like holidays in a bowl.

Salazar’s unique interpretation of modern Mediterranean cuisine is nothing short of exquisite – matched only by the resort’s spectacular location.

Over on the other side of the resort, Pershing Yacht Terrace is the sleek, James Bond-style bar where high-end mixology, izakaya-style cuisine and a live DJ soundtrack is the order of the day. Salazar oversees the cuisine concept with an incredible raw bar, where a selection of sushi and modern Japanese dishes take centre stage is accompanied by the Compass Rose cocktail menu, designed to honour the seafaring roots of the bar. Introducing guests to different coordinates around the island, each location is matched with innovative and avant garde flavour combinations that cover sweet, spicy, citric, acidic, herbal, floral, spiced and bitter.

The wine list and high-end spirits here are also carefully selected – only the finest drops will pass your lips at Pershing Yacht Terrace. No good drink should ever go unaccompanied of course, and the light and fresh menu is hard to pass up. From sweet chili wakame salad and Gillardeau Oyster No2 with the restaurant’s signature dressing, to Hamachi tiradito with ponzu and black truffle and soft-shell crab tempura with chili cream, the starters alone are enough to make your mouth water while reading the menu. Main courses include glazed Spanish pork belly, miso-marinated black cod, roasted octopus with unagi glaze, Wagyu tataki – and the list goes on. Mondays are Sushi Nights, with a special selection of expertly sliced, diced and rolled bites from the raw bar – teamed with that magical view of Es Vedra, it’s hard to imagine a better start to the week.

Bar Manager Alessio Roscioli takes centre stage when it comes to mixology, with an unrivalled passion for his craft and endless creativity when it comes to innovative flavour combinations and avant garde creations.

If you’re looking to make a day of it, rather than a night, 7Pines Resort Ibiza has also opened up the adults-only Infinity Pool Bar to external guests for the month of September and beyond. Spend the day indulging in the luxuries formerly only available to hotel guests: plush sun loungers and private Balinese beds looking directly to Es Vedra, plus access to that iconic pool and all the Instagrammable moments that come with it. Your food and drinks will be delivered directly to your bed, and the menu includes holiday classics like Caesar salads, poke bowls, nachos, pizza, club sandwiches, delicious wraps and hearty burgers to a heavenly selection of fresh salads, assorted sushi, maki rolls, and ice cream and sorbet for those with a sweet tooth.

The summer season in Ibiza is far from over at 7Pines Resort Ibiza. Whether you’re holidaying at the beautiful resort, you’re staying elsewhere on the island and passing through for lunch or dinner, or if you’re an island resident looking to treat yourself, Óscar Salazar, and his teams at The View, Cone Club, Pershing Yacht Terrace and the Infinity Pool Bar are ready and waiting to deliver those unforgettable ‘wow moments’. Divine dining is what it’s all about.

Starry starry nights

A starry night trickled with laughter, a joke shared over a table strewn with the remnants of an exquisite dinner, a tender kiss, electric with the scent of summer. In a culture filled with speedy entertainment options pulling us in all directions, finding those moments can seem rare. But there is one place where you are guaranteed to experience romance in its purest form: luxurious Ibiza boutique hotel Cas Gasi. Now open to non-guests (via reservation only), the divine Agroturismo is the embodiment of island elegance, radiating pleasure in a luscious rural setting.

Cas Gasi belongs to that class of grand European private hotels dedicated to the pursuit of discreet luxury and unique experiences. Owned and operated by the same family for decades, headed by Margaret von Korff, the ambience at Cas Gasi is worldly, bohemian in the true sense of the word, and constantly evolving. Over the past 18 months, Cas Gasi Restaurant has emerged into its own, delivering a fine-dining quality menu and exceptional service surrounded by the soothing gardens of this landmark hotel. 

Stone steps lead to a petite courtyard scattered with a few tables and rattan shades dangle over a covered porch where armchairs and low tables present the perfect pre-dinner drink spot. Inside, past the immaculate and modern open kitchen, Cas Gasi Restaurant’s interior dining room is sunlit in the day and candlelit in the evening. Through arches, a small terrace contains romantic fairy-lit tables overlooking the garden and valley views – truly magical as the golden hour settles over the countryside and the sky begins its transformation into darkness at sunset.

Cas Gasi Restaurant at twilight is truly something special. The sun sets over the valley casting a rainbow of colours across the sky, birds flit by going about their evening rituals while the Cas Gasi staff light lanterns and candles. Dinner is irresistibly romantic, whether you are a couple or with friends. The gardens cast soft shadows, the scent of damp grass and jasmine waft on the breeze and everything seems to be right in the world. A carefully curated soundtrack of music floats across the airwaves – never too loud to hinder conversations, yet just obvious enough to garner appreciation.

An aperitivo as the moon rises over the hills is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of the Cas Gasi grounds. The sommelier’s refined selection of wine has been calibrated to complement the flavours of the dishes and those wanting to try something local will be as delighted as those craving something from mainland Europe, including some of Spain’s best natural wines. The staff at Cas Gas Restaurant are understated and knowledgeable, offering just the right amount of attention. 

Sharing starters at Cas Gasi Restaurant will allow you to taste the full gamut of the chefs’ expertise. The leek and almond praline tatin is a pleasing surprise, where confit leeks lie on a crisp pastry bed smothered in sweet praline – an unexpected combination that’s hard to beat as the flavours settle on the palate dancing between sweet and savoury. The tiradito of local sirvia and prawns is tangy and sharp in all the right places while the hotel’s famous homegrown tomatoes with house-pickled cucumber doused in a smoked tomato sauce are sublime. 

Moving on to the mains, do not bypass the chlorophyll rice. Its creaminess is packed with fresh herbs, taken straight from the Cas Gasi garden that morning. Fragrant and comforting, it’s the ideal summer risotto. There’s a lot of talk these days about farm to table but Cas Gasi was one of the first hotels in Ibiza to establish an organic vegetable garden, well over 20 years ago. Today this expanded and well-established natural supermarket supplies the Cas Gasi Restaurant kitchen with much of its fresh produce – from the herbs within the risotto to seasonal Mediterranean vegetables, fresh eggs from happy hens and more.

The sea cucumber and black porc (local pork) terrine comes with crunchy celery, apple and mint salad while the lamb with roasted onion and is served on a purée of date and galangal. These two dishes alone bring the Cas Gasi Restaurant menu into the realm of Michelin territory. The free-range beef forerib, local salmonete and octopus are also likely to inspire you to make reservations for another night or two. One way to make the most of this secluded island restaurant is to order a degustation and request an alfresco table under the olive trees.

Ideal for a group, as well as a couple of lovebirds, dinner beneath a canopy of stars peeking through the branches of centenarian olive trees is a truly authentic Ibiza experience. Although they are hundreds of years old, the olive groves at Cas Gasi seem made for this kind of experience – the tinkling of laughter and the clinking of glasses marking joyous occasions ranging from engagements (how could she say no in this setting?) and birthdays, to weddings, anniversaries and reunions of all kinds. With the moon casting its glow, the cicadas buzzing in the distance and the feeling of being at one with nature, it’s one of the most magical settings on the island.

One of the things that make Cas Gasi stand out from other hotels is the feeling of being amongst family. And like family, the staff go above and beyond so don’t be shy in having a word with Margaret should there be any dietary concerns or if you require some assistance organising a special moment. The dishes on the Cas Gasi Restaurant menu come together in a symphony of flavours. At once familiar, with just enough innovation to experience something new and interesting, it’s clear every morsel is made with the same dedication and love for which the hotel itself is famous. Finally, Ibiza’s best-kept secret is open for all to enjoy.  

Cuisine without borders

A lot of little boys dream of becoming football stars. They fantasise about winning goals, the crowds shouting their name, the trophies, prizes and lucrative contracts with famous sporting brands. But as those little boys grow up, they soon learn that pleasure comes not in the form of accolades, but in the small moments of joy when no one is looking. Like many boys, BiBo Ibiza Bay founder Dani García also dreamed of becoming a footballer – fortunately for the world, he quickly figured out his talent and passion was in the kitchen rather than on the pitch. With 20 years in the business, a slew of prizes including three Michelin stars, plus several signature dishes to his name, Dani García is now one of the greatest chefs in Spain, if not the world.

Today, it’s no longer about prizes. At the top of his game in 2018 – just a month after receiving his third Michelin star – Dani García walked away from the world of haute cuisine. It was an unprecedented move that shocked the industry. Quite simply, García no longer dreamed of being the culinary equivalent of a football star. His interest was no longer in high-level cuisine but in the small joys of his culinary roots – his home pitch, so to speak, where as a boy he left his football boots at the doors of his mother and grandmother’s Andalusian kitchens. “These are the memories that have accompanied me all my life,” the BiBo Ibiza Bay maestro explains. “Being with my parents and grandmother. That was the reason I became a chef.”

Even though food critics gasped at the audacity of this move, casual dining had been a Dani García staple since 2016 when he opened his first BiBo concept restaurant (he now has six). The premise was to encompass the quality of haute cuisine without the pretence. So, while there may be some molecular cooking on the menu, there’s also a burger. “Our objective with BiBo is to democratise haute cuisine and let diners enjoy a varied menu influenced by flavours from countries I’ve visited throughout my life,” says Garcia. This is cuisine without borders and so far, BiBo restaurants have provided diners a culinary passport to Japan, France, Italy, and of course Andalucía. And now with BiBo Ibiza Bay at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, diners can send their tastebuds directly to Mexico while gazing across the Mediterranean towards the old town of Ibiza.

While the BiBo Ibiza Bay menu contains Garcia’s most beloved dishes, the Mexican section was developed in conjuction with chef Abril Chamorro, one of Garcia’s long time collaborators. “We met in New York where she was part of the team at a restaurant I had there at the time,” remembers Garcia. “Then she came to Spain to join us at Dani García Restaurante. Now Abril is one of the most important members of my team. She is in charge of openings, works in research and development, and takes our concepts around the world.” Mexican-born Chamorro did not have to dig deep to reach the flavours of her childhood – like Garcia, she always carries them in her heart and mind. For his part, García is a tireless traveller on a constant hunt for new flavour experiences. Chamorro showed him Mexico through the lens of its ancient cuisine, which is constantly reinvented by street food vendors and up-and-coming chefs alike.

Chamorro’s dishes cross multiple regions of a country whose culinary depth is still undiscovered. Ensenada is in Baja California and Chamorro’s interpretation of that city’s classic fish tacos are stuffed with sea bass, coleslaw and a popping tangy mayonnaise. The menu already has Garcia’s signature ceviche, so Chamorro added a surprising vegetarian version with raw salsa verde, creamy burrata, tomato and tempura vegetables. Guacamole is ubiquitous these days, but BiBo Ibiza Bay’s version takes the concept to the next level. Served in a mortar and pestle and made at your table, which is the traditional way to make this dish, the creamy avocado is flavoured with coriander, tomato and onion and garnished with torreznos – a crunchy fried bacon snack.

The Mexican-inspired dishes added to the BiBo signature raw bar are sublime.  Along with BiBo’s regular oysters with three sauces, corvina ceviche and lobster salpicon salad, is Chamorro’s tuna loin on toast with chipotle mayonnaise and local red prawn aguachile served with blue and yellow corn toasts. Aguachile is a close relative of ceviche and hails from the Sinaloa region. If you’ve never tried local Ibiza prawns, you’re in for a real treat. Their sweetness melts into the tartness of the chili water, lime and cilantro while cucumber and onion lend a fresh crunch. It’s no wonder this is García’s favourite dish on the BiBo Ibiza Bay menu. His vision of a democratic cuisine means the menu is designed for sharing – you’ll thank him when you realise you also want to order the classic tacos al pastor and chilorio burritos. The streets of Mexico burst through in every bite. Make sure you come with friends. And don’t skip the cocktails. Or the desserts.

They say never meet your heroes because you’ll only find out they are human. That’s not true in the world of gastronomy. Foodies have a way about them that lets them connect with anyone who is passionate about flavour, be it a burger flipper in a food truck, a nonna cooking for her family or a veteran chef with a bunch of stars. García had and still has the honour of calling his culinary heroes and mentors his friends, even partners in crime. “Joël Robuchon,” he says without hesitation when asked about his most inspiring relationships. “He has this ability to take his kitchen and business model around the world. In addition, he knows how to reinvent when necessary.” In the ultimate ode to his friend, García named a dish in his honour – the delectable crunchy Robuchon king prawns which are available on the BiBo Ibiza Bay menu.

Of course, Nobu Matsuisha is also high up on García’s heroes list. “When the opportunity to bring the BiBo concept to Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay arrived, we couldn’t say no,” he says. “I admire everything he does.” The two chefs have had a long friendship and first united their brands at Nobu Hotel Marbella. Now with the installation of BiBo Ibiza Bay, their connection is even more solidified. “BiBo can be adapted to any environment,” Garcia says. “We are so happy with the result here at BiBo Ibiza Bay.” Indeed, the relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere of the hotel combined with the sea views and island vibe is a perfect match. Football is inevitable but how would the world taste without Dani García? We are all indebted to García’s mother and grandmother for instilling in him a passion for food and luring him away from his beloved football. And, of course, to Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay for finally bringing him to Ibiza.

West side story

She remembers loyal customers asking her to expand to the west side during the early days of the original Passion Café location in Playa d’en Bossa and yet over the years, while her Passion brand was growing exponentially, the right San Antonio location didn’t ever reveal itself to her. And in 2018, fate stepped in and presented her with a venue that was just too perfect to pass up on. “Just when I thought there was no way I would open another Passion, this location came to me and I couldn’t resist,” Lana explains. On the front line of the beautifully redeveloped marina area, Passion San Antonio is bright, airy and filled with beautiful natural light. Set over two floors, with a magical view over the harbour, designer chic furnishings and impossibly on-trend banana-leaf murals adorning its walls it’s impossible not to fall in love with the latest Passion baby – and that’s before you’ve even ordered any of the amazing food or drinks. “You can still feel the playful ‘Passion’ vibes here,” says Lana. “But it also feels a little more grown-up.” And just like that, she has once again perfectly filled a niche that needed to be filled, in a location that was crying out for it. San Antonio now can now officially lay claim to having a home of health and happiness.

Some may say this location is lucky number seven for Lana, yet anyone who knows the successful island entrepreneur will know it’s the result of hard work, research and determination. As with each unique Passion concept around the island, the San Antonio venture has its own sense of character and vibe, designed as a laidback, yet fast-paced pit stop ideal for grabbing breakfast before heading out for the day, a coffee (arguably the island’s best) or a cold-pressed juice, delicious take away meals and snacks for a day on the beach or on a boat, or simply a high quality, healthy meal with friends. It’s definitely a Passion to please all appetites and dietary requirements. Passion has long been known for its amazing breakfast spreads and the San Antonio café showcases the most popular dishes from the menus. Tuck into the classic Marina breakfast, with fresh smoked salmon, haloumi and avocado or a variety of pancakes – both healthy and indulgent – plus souped-up versions of everyone’s favourite avocado on toast. Just add organic poached eggs, feta cheese or kale to suit your mood. A big selection of smoothie bowls can be found here – açai and protein based, all bright, colourful and full of goodness.

As breakfast evolves into lunch, so too does the Passion San Antonio menu – again brimming with proven Passion classics including the much-loved chicken burger and the vegan fave falafel wrap with hummus and tahini sauce. Fancy fries come in four flavours: haloumi, avocado, spicy nacho and smoky polenta – the perfect side dish or afternoon snack. Meanwhile a daily specials menu showcases a revolving roster of star curries, pastas and more. And then of course, there’s the famous Passion carrot cake (among many other decadent and gluten-free sweet treats) for dessert. “You can definitely get your Passion kick in San Antonio,” laughs Lana. “It’s finally here!” A huge range of takeout options (all in eco-friendly packaging, of course) are ready to be picked and mixed to suit your plans for the day – whether it’s a juice or smoothie to carry on your coastal walk, a chia pot or homemade granola for breakfast on-the-go or a full DIY picnic spread – are on offer for those Passion clients who prefer to spend their days sitting in the sunshine, rather than sitting around. But if you do want to kick back and watch life on the Mediterranean pass them by, then there’s no better spot than the ground floor open terrace, where lush, green mountains frame the bobbing boats that sway and shimmer in the harbour. Great food? Check. Good vibes? Check. Amazing views? Check. The ultimate Ibiza Instagram moment? Check mate.

The quest for quality

Gastronomy reigns supreme in this ultra professional kitchen and stylish dining space – it’s all about freshness and quality, fusing Mediterranean flavours with an international flair. The man behind the menu is dedicated head chef Sergio Zubiadut, hailing from Galicia, bringing to the table a wealth of experience from fabulous international destinations. Given the restaurant’s location in a luxurious hotel, it was essential the extensive menu cater to all appetites and dietary requirements. There was no easy route to go down, with just one style of cuisine on offer for Sergio and he rose to the challenge. While there may not appear to be a common theme on the dishes presented in the menu, with every bite, it becomes more and more apparent. The consistent element throughout the Salvia menu is quality – only the highest will do.

If it’s seafood, it has to be fresh. Not just fresh; the freshest, and wild where possible. If it’s meat, there’s no excuse for it not to be close to perfection, whether it is jetted in from the very best suppliers in Galicia or sourced from a local farmer. This unwavering quest for quality has seen the Ca Na Xica team curate their own vegetable patch, putting the very best KM0 produce at the chef’s fingertips daily. Foraging is all in a day’s work, with almonds, figs, herbs, apricots, prickly pears, olives, oranges and lemons growing in abundance across the hotel’s expansive grounds, while in the garden there are peppers, cauliflower, all types of lettuce and more sprouting from the ground. Ca Na Xica is even planning to produce their own olive oil for next year.. Behind the scenes at Salvia, the theme of quality continues. A spacious glossy kitchen is equipped with all the latest equipment including a slow cooker, a snap freezer, cold-press juicer, Josper oven and more, ready not just for the restaurant’s daily turnover but also professional catering for weddings and events. No matter which way you look – from ingredients and produce to equipment and design – cutting corners is something that just doesn’t happen here. And yet the prices remain accessible, an ethos close to the owners’ hearts and you will always walk away from the table at Salvia feeling satisfied.

The high standards begin with breakfast – your first teaser into the world of Salvia. Your fresh orange or green juice is cold pressed, made with ingredients plucked fresh from the orchard or farm that morning. The breakfast buffet rivals the world’s best hotels, while hot dishes are cooked to order, and always to perfection. As the day unfolds, the menu takes on new creative twists and turns, moving from lunch through to dinner with an a la carte option and daily specials. Embracing the concept of slow cooking, with chef Sergio designing dishes around the fresh, seasonal produce of the moment. Where should we start? Starters! When you’re just looking for something to pick at, look no further than the finest aged Iberico ham, served with crystal bread. Or opt for the freshest mussels, served steaming in a coconut, coriander, ginger and chili sauce bring a touch of Asia to your plate. Calamari is a hotel classic, but here at Salvia it is lightly fried to retain its freshness, served alongside crispy whitebait and marinated dogfish. Three types of tomato are hand picked to complement the melt in your mouth Burrata, and health lovers will enjoy the quinoa salad with a difference or lentils served over a rocket and feta cheese salad with a Tandoori vinaigrette.

Moving onto the more substantial meals on offer at Salvia, the chef has created a silky smooth risotto of slow cooked quail and artichoke, sitting alongside delectable pasta dishes including a deluxe tagliatelle with locally produced Mediterranean vegetables. When it comes to meat, this is where Ca Na Xica really comes into its own. Try the classic steak tartar with a twist, a mouthwatering Galician beef sirloin or the very chunkiest, heartiest T-bone steak served with hand-cut Ibiza potato chips. Out of the smoky Josper oven comes Ibiza chicken marinated in local herbs and lemon, a mind-blowing charcoal grilled wild boar and the all-time favourite Wagyu burger, served with a healthy (and delicious) serving of yucca fingers.

When your chef is from Galicia, it’s a given your menu will have a heavy touch of seafood, and that the quality of said seafood is unrivalled. Make a beeline for the house specialty: a raw tuna tartar served with seaweed salad and house-pickled veggies. With the seafood dishes on the Salvia menu, it’s all about the carefully thought out little extras that make each dish truly unique. Think scarlet shrimp and scallop carpaccio marinated in ponzu; cod served atop kale and bacon hondashi with health-boosting black garlic alioli and wild seabass with homemade sweet potato gnocchi… the list goes on, but you’ll have to try it for yourself.

Wine lists are expertly curated and the Salvia sommelier can recommend the perfect drop – he also happens to be a cigar specialist, with the very best on offer for those who have a taste for the finer things in life after dessert. Ahhh, dessert. The sweetest of ways to end a meal. At Salvia at Ca Na Xica, desserts are a specialty and as with everything on the menu, presented with a unique twist. Try the upside down cheesecake – a taste sensation at every mouthful – or the amazing chocolate quartet, where Sergio fuses four different chocolate textures and consistencies to create an unforgettable sweet sensation. Grape liqueur French toast with banana and cinnamon ice cream brings a breakfast favourite into night mode, while the homemade lemoncake – you guessed it – is made from the fruit of the trees in the orchard.

High standards at Salvia start the moment you stroll down the pathway through the hotel to arrive at your destination, cruising past 17,000 meticulously planted wild grass plants as they sway seductively in the Mediterranean breeze. Step inside the restaurant, and out onto either terrace – choose between hotel view or garden – to take your place at the beautifully designed contemporary settings. As the sun goes down, Salvia is elegantly illuminated with carefully placed soft lighting, and the smooth sounds of jazz and Bossa Nova float over the airwaves. And last, but definitely not least, is the service. Each and every Salvia team member is multi-lingual, highly professional and knowledgeable, and genuine with their desire to help make your gastronomic dreams come true.

More than meets the eye

As I tottered into the grand estate that is Bambuddha last night – and when I say tottered, I mean literally, in a pair of wedge heels that made me tower over my friend and wonder if this is what life feels like for a supermodel – I couldn’t help but feel like I was visiting a friend from many years ago who was all grown up now – like the cool girl from school who just got cooler with age.

Having been to Bambuddha about oh, I don’t know, a zillion times over the past decade, I’ve seen a lot of subtle changes, and then last year, the final metamorphosis into the amazing restaurant that stands today. My naughty little playmate is now a sexy, sophisticated hostess with the mostess, one I look forward to spending even more time with in the future… I think I have a crush!

We arrived fairly early by Ibiza standards, because I’d left it so late to book we had to take the early bird (that’s 8pm here) special… but the restaurant was packed from the minute we arrived. And given that I got home from Bambuddha l-o-n-g after midnight… well, you know we had an amazing night. Before it all got blurry however, here are a few things that really stuck in my mind…

1. From the minute you arrive, to the minute you leave Bambuddha, there is a never-ending stream of things to stare at. Things, and people, if you’re partial to a spot of people watching (as I have been known to be), but aside from that, I always feel like there is something new to see. A new Buddha, a lusty new artefact, a sleek new painting, a sparkling new chandelier… each experience is different to the next, as things (and people!) catch your eye from different corners of the different temples. It’s like the Mona Lisa of Ibiza…

2. The staff and the service here are truly impeccable. Sure, Bambuddha has always been known as one of Ibiza’s best fine dining destinations (and indeed, deservedly voted the winner in the White Ibiza Readers’ Choice Awards in 2013) but the attention to detail and personal care from each staff member we encountered was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, intuitive and genuine. From the gorgeous girls in pretty little Asian embroidered robes who led us to our table with smiles and nothing-is-a-problem attitudes, even though we’d arrived 25 minutes late (blame August traffic), to the switched on waitress who noticed my companion had ordered a vegetarian meal and took the time to mention that the prawn crackers and bread were served with an olive tapenade that was made with anchovies in case she didn’t eat fish, all the way to the lovely valet who (literally) ran to fetch our car as we left so we didn’t have to wait more than 30 seconds, there is some serious professionalism going on here here. If Bambuddha could open some kind of Ibiza hospitality university in the winter, quite a few other wait staff on the island who could learn a thing or two before returning to Ibiza in 2015.

3. The trademarked MediterrAsian menu is out of this world. Honestly – I have eaten much Mediterranean food, more Thai food than you can find on the streets of Bangkok in one day, have overloaded on sushi in four corners of the world and indulged on Indonesian cuisine like there’s no tomorrow. But there’s nothing quite like fusing all of the above, as only Bambuddha can, and perusing the Bambuddha menu is like traversing the globe in just a few (glossy, gorgeous) pages. The biggest problem of course, is deciding what to order – I count myself as one of the fortunate ones, who has been blessed to visit Bambuddha on many, many occasions, so I have my favourites. On this particular evening, I had a hankering for a curry – the crispy red duck curry to be precise. To me, this has always been like one of the great mysteries of the world – how DO they get the duck so crispy on the outside, and so moist, tender and tasty on the inside? I’ll never know, so I’ll always return to Bambuddha to taste it again, and again. Except for the nights when I want sushi, or a pad Thai, or a spicy Thai soup, or the teriyaki salmon, or the lush Vietnamese chicken… so many more reasons to return!

4. It’s the only place I’ve ever been to with a double toilet cubicle. Just saying. Wacky. It’s always been there and I hope it always will be.

5. It’s always after dinner that the Bambuddha adventures really start to get interesting. As we migrated to the Tantra Cocktail Palace for a signature cocktail (or three), the desire to explore the cave-like Tantra Sex Shop at the very back of the restaurant started to kinkily kick in. Cue: girlish giggling and squeamish squeals of laughter as we perused the wares on display, from whips and feathers to pasties and masks, plus all shapes and sizes of sex toy (the mind certainly starts to wander when you’re looking at some of them – what the? How the? Who the? Is that a cat toy? Ohhhh now I get it!), and some seriously gorgeous lingerie… I couldn’t help but wonder, just how many après-dinner adventures have been kick started in Bambuddha?

Om, namaste and thank you very much indeed!

Dalt Vila’s hidden dining room

It just feels like a real-life fairytale, each and every time I walk up the drawbridge into ‘my’ castle, and I never, ever cease to be amazed by the impressive stone walls, cobbled streets, maze of alleyways, eclectic bars, shops and restaurants, lookout points, views… and even the stray cat colonies too!

So as you might imagine, I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert when it comes to the area. But I have to admit, sometimes it’s an area where I want to keep all my secret places and spaces to myself. After all, it’s my home. I love that no cars can drive into my barrio, that passers by rarely stroll into my street, that – despite its obvious popularity with sightseers in the high season – there are parts of Dalt Vila that still seem undiscovered, untouched, retaining their rustic charm even though the hipsters have started to move in at the foot of the hill!

But! There is one recent discovery I think deserves a mention, as it is just such a special, unique dining experience I think everyone should experience at least once. Kyupiddo by B.For is truly hidden, tucked away behind a discreet gate, in a back alley at the top of Dalt Vila, near the cathedral. And once you’re inside, it’s completely open-air, an amazing alfresco experience with no cars, no pedestrians and no noise to interrupt your revelry.

Sure, I can almost hear you girls thinking… I don’t really want to traipse up and down the back streets of Dalt Vila looking for a secret gate in the hot peak of summer. Guys, I can hear you thinking, I don’t want her complaining about not being able to walk in heels on the cobbled streets. Stop right there! Kyupiddo (which, by the way is Japanese for Cupid!) has its very own little golf cart, with a lovely bow-tie clad driver, who will pick you up and drop you off at the base of the fortress walls.

Even though it’s super close to my house and I COULD walk… I have to say, it was a treat to let them chauffeur me – if only I could have this every day when I walk to my car!

After being dropped off at the doorway of the beautiful hotel La Torre del Canonigo, we were then led through a small tunnel, and around to the rear of the hotel, where we were greeted by a beautiful girl semi-hidden by a discreet door in the stone wall. Once we stepped inside, it was like landing in another world… totally peaceful, zen-like ambience with views across the whole port and up to the cathedral that truly make you feel like you are the king (or queen!) of the castle.

A sparkling swimming pool is the centrepiece of the restaurant, with the entire façade of the hotel reflected in the water as you look from one side, and the stunning sky and sunset from the other (presuming you arrive early enough for sunset – and I would recommend it!). A very intimate number of elegantly designed tables surround the pool, and a small lounge and bar area provide the perfect place for pre or après dinner cocktails, and the size means it’s never going to be overcrowded or noisy.

On the subject of cocktails, Kyupiddo has its own twist on many of the classics. Expertly prepared by world-class bartenders, and exquisitely presented, the Japanese names are a little tricky to pronounce, but there’s nothing difficult about tasting them… yum!

Although Kyupiddo is the latest creation in the B.For empire, don’t expect to find sushi on your plate here. The fine dining style menu is strictly fusion – Japanese and Mediterranean – with an emphasis on quality above all else. The first page of the menu is all about ultra-finely sliced carpaccio and tiradito, plus an array of fresh seafood starters and five-star caviar – Beluga of course darlings.

I’m not going to give away the entire menu – some things need to be a surprise when you get there – but what I can tell you is there’s something to satisfy every appetite and every taste bud! Leaving room for dessert is essential, whether you have a sweet tooth or not!

The most magical thing for me is watching night fall over Dalt Vila, the port and the Mediterranean Sea. Blue turns to rich, deep purple, gold turns to pink, white buildings become a wash of twinkling lights. The cathedral walls are softly illuminated and it’s one of the most romantic settings I have ever experienced in Ibiza.

And then you get another joyride back down into town in the golf cart! Yahoooo!

From generation to generation

The couple – hailing from France and Germany – fell in love with the location instantly when searching for a location to open a restaurant, and the rest, as they say, is history…

After six years of business, the couple welcomed a little girl into their family. Living in Dalt Vila, in the same street as the restaurant, their daughter Lisa spent her childhood running through the cobbled streets, playing, eating her dinner in La Oliva every night – it was just like home to her.

Fast-forward to 2014, and little Lisa is all grown up, having taken the reins from her parents and been managing all aspects of the business for the past four years – from reservations and staff to accounts, décor and more – allowing Rene and Ursula more time to relax and enjoy life.

To be running an iconic, successful restaurant of this size at just 22 years old is practically unheard of in Ibiza, but to Lisa, it’s just a regular part of her everyday life. But she didn’t always see herself as the future of the family business – far from it! “I never, never wanted to work here!” she laughs, talking of her teenage years. “I thought I wanted to be a journalist. But when I was 15 I was horse riding a lot, and in order to enter a competition, my parents told me I needed to earn the money. So I worked in La Oliva for one month… and it was really hard for me, I was so shy you wouldn’t believe it.”

Hard to believe, given her friendly and bubbly personality today, where nothing is a problem and everyone is equally as important as the person next to them. So how did this go from it being a necessity to a passion? “When I met Marc-Antoine, we were both really motivated to get my parents to make some changes, starting with the colour of the chairs and then the wine list, then getting Marc-Antoine into the kitchen because he’d studied in all the best schools in France.”

“My mum trusted us both from the very first minute,” she says, of the transition from daughter to manager. “My dad… well, he liked to keep an eye on us for the first few years, but now he’s much more relaxed and only comes in once or twice a week. It makes me happy knowing they can relax now!”

Each year sees a new customer ‘click’ that Lisa is Rene and Ursula’s daughter running the restaurant, and many loyal clients remember her as a child. “It’s strange for me, because I don’t always know the people,” she says. “But they’ll ask me if I’m the daughter and when I say yes, they’ll tell me they saw me in my mum’s belly when she was pregnant! I always tell my parents who has been in the restaurant, and then they’ll tell me about other people who haven’t told me they know my parents, but then tell them they had a good experience.”

Now the shoe is on the other foot, Lisa says it can feel strange to Ursula and Rene – who know only too well how much hard work running a business like la Oliva can be – to see her working so much, when they are enjoying island life. “My mum encourages me to go out all the time – she has so much energy – but usually I can’t because I’m working, or tired… then she offers to come and work for me!”

Crediting her parents with teaching her the value of working hard for your money, always being kind to people, finishing what you start and being an example to others around you, Lisa says she definitely sees her future in La Oliva now, having developed a real passion for her work… but it doesn’t stop there! “I wish we could do more,” she says, with a sparkle in her eyes. “We have a lot of energy, a lot of ideas… we will see!”