Mood Beach - warming up for the summer

I was recently at Mood Beach Bar and Restaurant enjoying their 'M Factor' singing competition.

This restaurant, lounge bar, and beach club has a lot to offer.

They are currently running a Spring Mood Fabulous Favourites Special Offer; which features some of the favourites from Mood's restaurant menu at very special prices.

One of the great things about Mood, is that you can combine a great value for menu meal with some exciting night life. There is always something going on there, and lots planned for the summer, when their own swimming pool becomes even more inviting.

A very special birthday meal

March is my birthday month. It is probably also my most favourite month in the year.
So when the BIG day came around I wanted to treat myself and my family to a very special meal.
It took me most of two days to decide on a restaurant.
I was in the mood for some crisp, fresh flavours and healthy dishes with a twist.
Luckily for me, Viet Nam restaurant came to mind.

An assuming shop front on Plaza Progreso, houses this chic and comfortable Asian restaurant, named after the country that inspired it and whose culinary specialties it serves, Viet Nam is different and refreshing, and the food is quite simply, fabulous.

Enjoy Vietnamese delicacies such as 'Nems' crispy rolls filled with vegetables, crab or fish which you wrap in lettuce and mint and dip in soya sauce, or crispy noodles with prawns. Another highlight for me were the banana rolls I ordered for dessert.

Everything about the food at this restaurant feels healthy and satisfying. Highly recommended for a special night out.

Don't miss out!

You still have time to enter the August competition on SkyBlue Mallorca. The prize this month is a dinner for two at Fonoll Mari Restaurant. I won't tell you where it is, because that's the question you have to answer in order to win!! So enter the competition now and enjoy a delicious dinner on this amazing sea facing terrace in Majorca. Good luck!

Majorca Restaurants for the summer months

With all the heat recently in Majorca, what people are most likely to be looking for is a good Majorca Restaurant with a beautiful terrace, and preferably great views!
So I have decided that the next few posts will be dedicated to some of the restaurants with those characteristics which are profiled on SkyBlue Mallorca.

The first in the series is La Terraza Restaurant in Port Adriano. This restaurant has the added advantage that it has a swimming pool, so you can take the kids along and enjoy a refreshing swim before lunch! The in house specialities are lobster paella and tapas, and the restaurant has great views over the port and the rest of the bay. The pool is open to customers from 11.00 to 18.00. Don´t you just want to jump in?!

Watch this video for a closer look at this magnificent terrace and pool.

Asparragus, Asparragus

Do you like Asparragus?

The Asparragus season is in full swing and to honour our spear-headed friend the Aqua Restaurant at The St Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort Hotel is running four weeks of Asparragus themed menus.
The menus are offered Monday- Saturday and different options are offered each day.
Here are some mouth-watering examples;
Marinated white asparagus with Serrano ham and lettuce leaves
Fried sea bass on asparagus risotto and truffle foam
Panfried beef escalope with white asparagus and small potatoes
Iced Amarettini Parfait with marinated oranges
You can download the full menus on our Menu Download Page

Simply Fosh

For those of you who do not know, Mallorca's top celebrity chef, Marc Fosh, has now left Read's Hotel and has opened his own restaurant in Palma. He has named the restaurant 'Simply Fosh' and describes his offering as 'going back to basics' and 'enjoying good, fresh, healthy food at affordable prices'.

The restaurant is located inside what used to be the Refectori Restaurant of the Convent de la Missio Hotel in the centre of Palma and you can find more in depth information on SkyBlue Mallorca.

Don't forget that Marc regularly contributes mouth watering articles to SkyBlue Mallorca and three recipes a week. Read the latest article which is all about the wonders of GARLIC !

Treat your loved one this Valentine's Day

Still don't know what to give your Valentine this year?
Good food and wine is a true and delicious way to the heart!.. So choose from our list of Valentine's Menus on offer at restaurants across Mallorca and watch the food of love take effect!

Happy New Year! New competition, New Restaurants..

Happy 2009!

During the month of January 2009 you can win a meal for two at the fantastic El Tula Restaurant in Portixol, Majorca. Enter now!

There are also lots of new restaurants and catering companies on our Food & Wine Guide, and lots more to come...Here is a taster;

Arume Restaurant in Palma. This Restaurant and sushi bar combines asian and mediterranean cuisine
El Tula Restaurant in Portixol. A truly authentic Italian restaurant
Forn de Sant Joan Restaurant in La Lonja, Palma. Choose one of four levels of mediterranean cuisine
Anem a Portol Restaurant. Classic Majorcan cuisine and fully equipped dining rooms in Portol
Nassau Beach by Anima Restaurant. A new concept in a privileged location in Portixol, Palma
Wineing Restaurant. A fun new way to taste different wines in La Lonja, Palma
Molt de Gust, Catering, Take Away food and Restaurant in the centre of Palma
La Alacena de Mallorca, Catering Company. An elegant, modern and traditional catering service for any event in Mallorca

New beginnings for Koldo Royo

After twenty years, eighteen with a Michelin star to its name, the prestigiuos 'Koldo Royo' Restaurant on the Paseo Maritimo in Palma, Majorca has closed. Koldo Royo is one of the most influential Chefs in Spain; he has been awarded numerous prizes, both on a national and international level, and he has worked with some of the greatest culinary masters in Spain, such as Juan Mari Arzak and Luis Irizar. The closing of 'Koldo Royo' marks the end of an era for Koldo, but he assures us that he needs time to 'reflect' before beginning new endeavours.
SkyBlue Mallorca was honoured to be able to record the above interview with Koldo Royo in Spanish in which he tells us about his new beginnings
Read more about Koldo Royo and his career as one of the top Chefs in Spain

Porxada de Sa Torre, New Restaurant on SkyBlue Mallorca

New Restaurant on SkyBlue Mallorca Food & Wine Guide - Porxada de Sa Torre Restaurant in Canyamel, near Capdepera.

Find out more about this Restaurant on SkyBlue Mallorca - Suckling pig is their star dish!

Pro Gastronomía Balear '09 - The world is introduced to New Balearic Gastronomy

The first event of the Pro Gastronomía Balear 09 movement which will travel to the conference Lo Mejor de la Gastronomía (The best of Gastronomy) in San Sebastian at the end of November was presented at the Son Termens Estate. More than 50 professionals from the world of Balearic gastronomy will be traveling to the conference, considered one of the most important gastronomic events in Europe with Mallorca A la Carta and the Association of Balearic Gastronomy.

Those assisting the presentation were able to taste 15 of the thirty tapas dishes which will be presented during an official dinner at the prestigious conference. The tapas dishes have been created by 15 of the most talented Chefs of the Balearics all of whom will travel to the conference in San Sebastian to represent New Balearic cuisine at its best.

This will be the first time ever that the Balearic Islands have enjoyed such an significant representation at this international conference and the star studded group of ambassadors hope to promote new Balearic cuisine, the islands as a gastronomic destination and the richness of autochthonous products it is home to. A book will also be presented at the conference which will present the best of Balearic Gastronomy, the creation of which SkyBlue Mallorca Food & Wine Guide is proud to have taken part in.

The Chefs participating in Pro Gastronomia Balear '09 are the following;

Gerhard Schwaiger from Tristan Restaurant in Puerto Portals

Benet Vicens from Bens D'Avall Restaurant in Soller

Koldo Royo from Koldo Royo Restaurant in Palma

Marc Fosh from Bacchus Restaurant at Reads
Hotel

Bartomeu Caldentey from Es Moli d'en Bou Restaurant in Llorenç des Cardassar

Rafael Sánchez from Plat D'Or Restaurant at the Arabella Sheraton Hotel in Son Vida

Macarena de Castro from Jardin Restaurant in Alcudia

Joan Marc Garcías from 36/5 Restaurant in Hotel Son Brull

Guillermo Méndez from El Olivo Restaurant in La Residencia Hotel

Oscar García from S'Atic Restaurant at Hotel los Geranios

Bartomeu Trias, current champion Chef of the Balearic Islands

Vicente Fortea from Son Termens

Jordi Calvache from Son Julia Restaurant, Gran Hotel Son Julia

Santiago Taura from Santi Taura Restaurant

Caterina Pieras from del Es Vi Restaurant at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida

and The Escuela de Hosteleria from the University of the Balearic Islands

As well as the following Mallorca Wine Estates; Miquel Gelabert, Anima Negra and Cap de Bavaria

Read more about the conference 'Lo Mejor de la Gastronomía' and the Pro Gastronomía Balear 09 team.

New Majorca Chefs information on SkyBlueMallorca.com

photo of the stunning view from Cap Vermell Restaurant

Two new chef profiles have been added to our extensive list of Mallorca Chefs.

Roland Schulte is now heading up the stunning Cap Vermell Beach Hotel and Restaurant.

Read more about Roland's star studded career and watch a video interview.

Julio Garmendia is originally from the Basque country in Spain and has worked with some of the great Spanish chefs like Carlos Arguiñano and is now heading up the new Eboca restaurant in Ciudad Jardin and enjoys using products with Denomination of Origin of the Balearic Islands.

Read more about Julio Garmendia and watch a video interview

Articles on Ezine, Discovering Majorca Food

I am glad to say that some of my articles have been incuded on Ezinearticles.com
I have uploaded some of my articles on Majorca Food and Majorca Restaurants. Read the articles in their original format on SkyBlueMallorca.com;
Majorca Food, An Introduction
Majorca Food, Rich and Varied Vegetables
Majorca Food, The Ensaimada
Majorca Food, Sobrassada
Majorca Restaurants with Michelin Stars

Have a look at my profile on Ezine Articles

The photo on the right is of a Mallorca Ensaimada, thanks to www.illesbalearsqualitat.cat for the photo

mmmm wine and cheese

personally, there is precious little I enjoy more than some cheese and a glass of red wine..

Read about Mallorcan and Menorcan cheese, what is it made from?, where can you get it?, on SkyBlueMallorca.com

And while you are at it find out about the fabulous wines made in Mallorca to accompany your cheese.

New competition for November

This month's competition prize on SkyBlueMallorca.com is a lunch for two at the fabulous Mood Beach Restaurant in Costa d'en Blanes, Majorca. This fantastic restaurant is always running different events and parties which you can find out about in our calendar.
Enter the competition now by answering the following question;
Which port is nearest to Mood Beach Restaurant?
Please follow the instructions on the competition page to enter...

Discovering the José L Ferrer Wine Estate in Binissalem, Majorca

We have just included the José L Ferrer Wine Estate on SkyBlue Mallorca Food & Wine Guide.

This wine estate or bodega is one of the wineries under the Designation of Origin Binissalem in Mallorca, and produces around 800,000 bottles of wine a year!

We went for a walk around the wine estate with the owner Jose Luis Roses Ferrer, watch a video of our mini tour on SkyBlue Mallorca.

Pure Passion

The Designation of Origin of wine from Binissalem, Mallorca presented their new marketing image at the Museum of Es Baluard in Palma. The new slogan, is 'pura passió' with a red heart showing the passion of the winemakers of the Binissalem area.

A new wine route has also been included in the publicity campaign so that tourists and other interested parties can drive around the area visiting the 14 wine estates of the D.O Binissalem

Read a further article about this on SkyBlueMallorca.com

Watch a video interview in Spanish about this event

Fine dining at Ca'n Calent

I was privileged enough to be able to try out Miquel Vicens' new autumn menu at Ca'n Calent Restaurant in Campos, Majorca.

Miquel changes his menu four times a year to reflect the different seasons and hopes that all his customers know where they are - in Mallorca! when they taste his food.

Pictured is an aperitif, cream of chickpeas with sobrassada and fish croquette.

Sal de Cocó

Do you know what Sal de Cocó is?

You do now..

Sal de Cocó is the name given to natural sea salt collected from the rocks by the fishermen in the area of the Balearic island of Cabrera and Colonia Sant Jordi.

Marta Rosselló a talented young Mallorcan chef has given her restaurant this name.

Read more about Sal de Cocó Restaurant

New Restaurants on SkyBlue Mallorca Food & Wine Guide

Two new restaurants on SkyBlue Mallorca Food & Wine Guide;

Antonio Restaurant in Colonia Sant Jordi - family restaurant specialising in Paellas and fish and rice dishes.

Cassai Restaurant in Ses Salines - Trendy restaurant in the middle of this Mallorcan village.

While on the subject of Paella why not enter this month's competition on SkyBlue Mallorca and win a meal for two at Tapelia Restaurant?