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An exciting new path – Villa Mercedes

It’s no revelation to the world’s clued-up foodies that Ibiza’s well-earned status on the gastronomic map is now cemented — the white isle is home to some of the most innovative restaurants and forward-thinking chefs on the planet. And yet, one area of the island that’s been gastronomically bubbling away without too much fanfare is San Antonio, the pretty seaside town that’s most renowned for spectacular sunsets. Fortunately, restaurants like Villa Mercedes are readdressing the balance by enlisting talented new executive chef Iván Acquistato push the culinary boundaries and prove that there’s more to this west coast enclave than just mesmerising skies.

That’s not to say that Villa Mercedes hasn’t always been a beacon of great food and excellent dining experiences. Beloved by the island’s born and bred, and always adored by visitors, the restaurant has maintained the kind of low-key but still luxurious atmosphere that appeals to one and all. Boasting a beautiful alfresco terrace and garden dining area right next to the harbour, the whitewashed restaurant building is something of a local icon in itself, built in 1901 and converted into a restaurant by the famous Mambo Group in 1999. Dinners here are sound-tracked by live music and local DJs, not to mention the tinkering of yacht sails in the distance.

While the original essence of Villa Mercedes remains unchanged, a new era is dawning at the restaurant, thanks to the creative vision of executive chef, Iván Acquista. Born in Argentina and with a standout career that’s seen him helm the kitchens of Heart Ibiza, W Verbier, Ocean Drive, Belmond, and alongside his much-revered mentor Rafa Zafra at Casa Jondal, this creative and ambitious young talent has now decided to go his own way. This summer, he has reinvigorated the menu at Villa Mercedes through his use of impeccable local products (treated minimally so natural flavours shine), a touch of local tradition and a side of culinary flair. “You’ll see be a big leap in quality,” he says. “People have known Villa Mercedes for a long time, but now we want to elevate its name again and bring people back to San Antonio for great dining experiences.”

Those grand aspirations are backed by both skill and prowess, and after years of honing his craft, Iván is ready to strike out and create a menu that embodies his own interpretation of fantastic food. “Our new menu at Villa Mercedes is based on contemporary Mediterranean food, with a few tributes to Ibiza’s traditional cuisine,” he says. “We want it to have a very local identity.” Much inspiration has been taken from San Antonio harbour, which almost laps the restaurant’s doorstep – for example, almost all of the fresh fish is sourced from local suppliers and guilds – although there are also a few obvious (and delicious) nods to Iván’s homeland across the menu too.

The evening must begin with a bespoke Villa Mercedes cocktail. The Golden Mercedes is a heady blend of Jack Daniels, amaro, honey syrup, lime, ginger and sage while the Tanit Moon celebrates its namesake goddess with G-vine infused butterfly pea tea flower, lime, and orange. Follow up cocktails with a bottle from the thoughtfully curated cellar of Spanish, Balearic and international drops before considering some of Iván’s favourite dishes. “The caviar empanaditais one of the dishes you really have to order,” says Iván, speaking about his culinary homage to Argentina. “It brings together the flavours of the sea with memories from my birthplace. It’s a dish that reminds me of my mother, because there were always empanadas at home.” A richly layered combination of quality caviar with golden-tinted pastry that boasts just the right amount of crisp, it’s the perfect blend of luxury and nostalgia, and a symbol of what’s to come.

Must-try light bites at Villa Mercedes include perfectly plump oysters, and acorn-fed Iberian ham — two classics reimagined and the rest of the starters follow the same tantalising path — all the favourites are there but with a twist. Think creamy mushroom and blue cheese croquettes; juicy Marinara mussels with homemade sauce and parsley; and red prawn carpaccio (made from the famously sweet and delicious prawns from the island) served with caramelised onion purée and toast. There’s also roasted aubergine carpaccio with Ibiza honey, caramelised pine nuts and fresh cream; Gallega clams with green salsa; and in a twist on Ibiza tradition, broken eggs with sobrasada, local honey and mushroom.

Seafood serves as the stimulus behind many of the main dishes at Villa Mercedes. “I always recommend our fresh fish cooked on the Josper grill,” Iván says. “John Dory, sea bass, sole — we make all our stocks with the residual juices and serve the fish with a Bilbao-style sauce.” Other options are equally mouth-watering. There’s Ibizan crayfish accompanied by fried potatoes and peppers; lavish king crab leg and warm Rocoto (a Peruvian red pepper) foam; and in a tribute to Iván’s mentor Rafa Zafra, fried scorpion fish tacos with corn tortillas and other toppings. And for something truly traditional, don’t miss the Villa Mercedes speciality, a hearty red prawn rice to share.

Prime cuts of meat – like the luxe Black Angus tenderloin, a tender Angus Picaña, and the oh-so-flavoursome Japanese Wagyu – are imbied with a subtle smokiness, courtesy of the Villa Mercedes Josper grill. Meanwhile, boneless chicken thighs are marinated in 30 different spices, and luscious lamb chops (“In Ibiza the lamb is so good!” adds Iván) served with frita Ibicenco – fried potatoes, red peppers and local herbs. Choose your favourite main and load up your table with plenty of tasty sides, including sweet potato chips; candied and grilled piquillo peppers with a Bilbaína sauce; and grilled asparagus, which also gets the Josper grill treatment, and is served with Rocoto Hollandaise sauce.

Finish proceedings with a dreamy dessert like fluffy matcha cheesecake; roasted pineapple and coconut carpaccio; indulgent flan with cream and dulce de leche; and the sweetest strawberries with cream and chocolate. Evenings at Villa Mercedes are designed to be lingered over so there’s no rush here – be sure to take time to enjoy the live music, convivial vibe, great company, and incredible sea views, all fundamental pillars in San Antonio’s resurgence as a foodie destination.

Alongside Villa Mercedes manager Jorge – a San Antonio local who is passionate about the culinary revival of the area – and experienced hostess Marta, Iván is confident that his vision for raising the reputation of this renowned island dining destination is in sight. “San Antonio is on an exciting path,” he concludes. “And Villa Mercedes is at the heart of it.”

The essence of eating

As the global movement towards sustainability gathers force, and the world’s very best chefs embrace foraging, growing and sourcing locally, there is a quiet but very definite food revolution happening in Ibiza, and it’s taking place where you might least expect it. The combination of affordable locales, Insta-obsessed travellers and a discerning clientele in the busy tourist town of San Antonio has created a responsive restaurant scene covering all tastes and dietary requirements, from health food cafes and zero-waste stores to high-end vegan options and locally inspired dining experiences. And at the heart of it all is Villa Mercedes

Set in the very heart of the recently revamped San Antonio marina, the much-loved restaurant proudly occupies a grand old villa and gardens that were originally built in 1901. Step inside the grand entrance gates and you’ll find a space that honours its past while also looking to the future – Villa Mercedes is an intimate and friendly dining haven with modern tastes in cuisine. From the terrace, you can look out over the bobbing boats of the harbour, while swaying palms and a trickling water fountain evoke a colonial vibe. Traditional formal service has given way to divine sharing plates that celebrate the very essence of eating, with fresh new dishes made with local produce, and tapas plates that incorporate vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options alike. Everyone goes home happy.

Any fun Ibiza evening begins with cocktails, and as befits one of the flagship venues of the renowned Mambo Group, the cocktail menu at Villa Mercedes is up-to-the-minute, impeccably on-trend and guaranteed to get you extra likes on Instagram. Take a seat at the bar and order the Indiana Jones inspired Chilled Monkey Brains, served in a carved-out coconut complete with a monkey-face and topped with iced and dripping strawberry sorbet, or the palate-cleansing Herb Garden, blending gin with fresh sage, oregano, mint and thyme in a natural bamboo jar. If you’re looking for something with a little more bite, the Netflix and Chill comes in a brightly decorated serving box filled with frozen grapefruit, lime and mezcal, topped up with chilli-popcorn to really draw out the tangy flavours.

Discovering and sharing the joy of eating is the main event at Villa Mercedes, and the recently upgraded menu is a delightful exploration of local favourites and flavours. The starters have been created with sharing in mind, and the portions are large enough to split around the table – no food envy in sight. Standouts include the delicate Aubergine tempura, drizzled with local honey and toasted Wasabi sesame seeds – the very definition of finger licking good; an homage to Ibiza’s endangered seagrass, Posidonia, includes octopus, tuna and local red prawns nested around salty samphire, plus crispy calamari prepared in chickpea flour for the gluten-intolerants and served with a spicy home-made tartar sauce. Another indulgent must-try is the steaming dish of garlic prawns, which come with a fried egg cooked in the same sizzling oil with chunks of crusty rustic bread for delicious dunking.

Of course, when a restaurant boasts the kind of heritage that Villa Mercedes is known for, it’s impossible to leave out the classics, and here, the restaurant truly excels. Fabulous Galician fillet steaks and grilled wild seabass are still some of the bestsellers on the menu, served with local patatas Ibicencas, padron peppers and this year with a wide and varied choice of sides. From superfood salads or heritage carrots to locally grown green beans, there are plenty of options to add some colour to your plate. The famed Wagyu burger comes with a blend of cheeses to enhance its natural flavours while the grilled octopus has been tenderised to the point of melt-in-your-mouth before being served with purple potato mash. The biggest problem at Villa Mercedes? You’re spoiled for choice.

Catering to consumer demand is key for a restaurant at the top of its game like Villa Mercedes, so when a Valencian paella chef joined the team earlier this year, it was only fitting that some considerations were taken into account. An impressive Lobster paella swiftly made its way onto the menu, served mellow or juicy, in homage to the San Antonio traditional style, and it’s become a hit with island regulars, and born and bred locals alike. At the same time, a vegetarian paella was introduced, meaning no customer need ever feel left out when it comes to ordering. With vegan and vegetarian guests on the increase, the selection of options on the Villa Mercedes menu prove that taste need never be sacrificed when it comes to lifestyle choices.

If there’s room for dessert – and you should definitely try to save some – then favourites such as red berry cheesecake or a classic and tart lemon meringue should satisfy the sweet-toothed among your group. But for a perfectly guilt-free treat, the signature Villa Mercedes Villa Orange simply cannot be missed. A simple fresh orange is peeled and marinated for 24 hours with a hint of cinnamon and a dash of Cointreau, then served chilled with caramelised orange shavings scattered across the top plus a scoop of tangerine sorbet on the side to add some fresh citrus vibes. It sounds (and looks) incredibly sinful, but in fact, it’s refreshingly innocent.

Villa Mercedes is open nightly, with a varied soundtrack created by an ever-changing roster of local DJs and musicians across the week giving you all the more reason to visit. On Thursdays, island legend Paco Fernandez regales diners with his Flamenco guitar, and Saturdays play host to Royal Bliss, as the restaurant offers a four-course pairing menu with live instrumental music. Regular pop-up appearances from DJ Buda and Tony French mean the eclectic range of music on offer is always of the highest quality. In fact, whatever your tastes, whatever your diet, whatever your desires, this is one restaurant that is sure to have exactly what you need on the menu.

Visit the White Ibiza restaurants guide to read more and enquire with Villa Mercedes