IBIZA - SANT JOSEP - RESTAURANT ES XARCU

RESTAURANT ES XARCU Michelin Plate IIO

With plenty of money to spend and maybe a boat to moor, head past Cala Jondal, down a precarious dusty path (make sure you are in someone else's car!) to Cala es Xarcu and Restaurant Es Xarcu.

If you come by boat or private yacht, you can anchor just in front of the Restaurant and be brought aboard by the Restaurant's complimentary boat service.

It is fantastic to sit in this wonderfully tranquil rustic spot overlooking the bay and enjoy a wonderful meal.

This beautiful little Restaurant is in the same bay as the noisy euro trash Blue Marlin club but is separated by a small headland, and it's another world.

It's a grown-up sort of place, with lots of atmosphere, without the disco beat. The accent is on the food and where the fish dominates.

Start with

Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (100% Ibérico pig)

Pimentos de Padrón (small green peppers, one in ten can be hot, beware !!)

Almejas (clams)

Espardenyas (sea cucumber)

Gambas (prawns)

Then go for langosta (lobster),

or share a large fresh fish like

San Pedro (John Dory)

Mero (grouper)

Rotja (sea scorpion)

They are all baked in the oven or sea salt crust. They come served with peppers and potatoes.

In August, you can enjoy a local speciality: exquisite fried little red Raó (Ibicenco), Raor (Spanish), or Razorfish (English). These small, bright pink fish have a short season in the Mediterranean Sea.

All this food should be washed down with a fantastic bottle of Albariño (Galicia) or Verdejo (Rueda), both from North-West Spain, or a bottle of Cava. All are great with fish and shellfish.

There is also a large selection of cigars for those who enjoy them.

After your meal, go to the small beach next to the Restaurant, which has a few sunbeds, to relax and soak up the sun. The Restaurant is best suited for couples, friends, or family.