Thursday, July 21, 2011

SPAIN-BALEARIC ISLANDS

GENERAL
Engel & Volkers – 640 Avenida Diagonal, Planta 6, Oficina 683 (Barcelona); 011-34-93-228-7893; engelvoelkers.com/es/mallorca; rental agents; high end.
Owners Direct – Portland House, 25th floor, Bressenden Place (London); 011-44-20-8827-1998; ownersdirect.co.uk; rental agents.
Pedruxella – 123 Apartado Correos (Pollensa); 011-34-636-299-463 (owner mobile) or 1-202-362-2536 (owner D.C. number); pedruxella.com; assorted villas on working olive oil estate.
Rustic Booking – 12 Calle Parellades (Palma de Mallorca); 011-34-971-721-508; rusticbooking.com; rental agents.



FORMENTERA
Bars & Nightclubs
Blue Bar – Carretera San Ferran-La Mola, km 7.9 (Playa Migjorn); 011-34-666-758-190; bluebarformentera.com.
Pirata Bus – Carretera San Ferran-La Mola, km 11 (Playa Migjorn); 011-34-609-601-426; piratabus.com; pleasantly chic.

Hotels
Las Banderas – Platja Migjorn (outside Les Tapies); 011-34-609-577-417; hotelresidenceformentera.com; 6 bedrooms and 1 suite; set back from main building are 3 villas that can be rented separately, but they have little to do with hotel in terms of atmosphere.
Cap de Barbària – Carretera de Sant Franscesc al Cap de Barbaria, km 5.8 (Cap de Barbària); 011-34-617-460-629; capdebarbaria.com; 6-room, rustic-minimalist hotel lies just off road to headland; French-inspired restaurant.
Es Ram – Camine del Ram, km 13 (El Pilar de la Mola); 011-34-606-874-429; esramresort.com; hidden among pines at dusty track’s end; 5 white villas with modern interiors (4 have 2 bedrooms and are rented in entirety); guests have car use and encouraged to fend for themselves; 5th villa has 7 rooms that can be booked individually.
Gecko – Playa Migjorn (Ca Mari); 011-34-971-328-024; geckobeachclub.com; island’s single, upmarket hotel.

Restaurants
Aigua – Passeig de Marina (La Savina); 011-34-652-365-677; aiguaformentera.com; harbourside bar/restaurant; Italian cooking with Milanese chic.
Juan y Andrea – Platja Illetes (La Savina); 011-34-630-930-913; juanyandrea.com; once simple chiringuito, now among island’s foremost eating places; local prawns are wonderful.
Pequeña Isla – 105 Avenida de la Mola (El Pilar de la Mola); 011-34-971-327-068; pequenaisla.com; family-run restaurant specializing in traditional dishes such as fried octopus, rabbit with onion, and enciam de Formentera (chargrilled peppers & potatoes with salt-cured fish salad).



IBIZA (includes Eivissa, Ibiza Town, Porroig, Port de San Miguel, San Juan, Sant Joan, Sant Josep, Sant Lorenc de Balafia, Sant Carles de Peralta, Sant Rafael, Santa Eulalia Del Rio & Santa Gertrudis)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
La Paloma Bakery & Cafe – Carretera Santa Gertrudis-Sant Lorenc (Sant Lorenc de Balafia); 011-34-971-325-543; palomaibiza.com; Mediterranean.

Bars & Nightclubs
Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge – 13 Paseo Juan Carlos I (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-192-197; ibiza.cavalliclub.com; open-air.
Lio – Paseo Juan Carlos (Dalt Vila, in Puerto Marina Ibiza); 011-34-971-310-022; lioibiza.com; cabaret nightclub with views of Formentera ferries.
Pacha – Avinguda 8 d’Agost (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-313-612; pacha.com.

Beaches
Aigues Blanques – 4 kms from Sant Carles de Peralta; pristine cove.
Benirras – 5 kms from San Juan; pristine cove.
Pou d’es Lleo – 5 kms from Sant Carles de Peralta; pristine cove.

Hotels
Can Curreu – 12 Carrer de Sant Carles (Santa Eulalia Del Río); 011-34-971-335-280; cancurreu.com; where to stay on island; oak beamed main house with 10 rooms connected by flagstoned pathways to 5 smaller houses; whole complex close to main road but shrouded in exquisite smelling gardens (fig, lavender, orange, pine & rose); lounge around private terrace and soak up sun while admiring valley below; suites come with Jacuzzi and are totally private; Mediterranean food cooked by resident Spanish Chef; gym and sauna.
Destino Pacha Ibiza Resort – Avenida Cap Martinet (Santa Eulalia del Rio); 011-34-971-317-411; destinoibiza.com; boutique resort concept by Pacha Group; best choice.
Giri Residence – 3-5 Calle Principal (San Joan); 011-34-971-333-345; thegiri.com; hip, rural hangout.
Gran Hotel – 17 Paseo Juan Carlos I (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-806-777; ibizagranhotel.com; somewhat conventional.
Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena – 11 Buzon (Port de San Miguel); 011-34-971-334-500; hotelhacienda-ibiza.com; only hotel need to know on Ibiza; perched on 600' cliff on island’s northern coast; 63 rooms, all with ceiling-to-floor windows and terraces; stunning views; most have private pools and Jacuzzis; all have hammams; ask for Suite 401; 4 restaurants.
Mirador de Dalt Vila – 4 Plaza de España (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-303-045; hotelmiradoribiza.com; townhouse.
Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel – Platja d’en Bossa (Sant Jordi de Ses Salines); 011-34-971-396-710; ushuaiabeachhotel.com; exactly right; décor is lots of white & black & red.

Restaurants
Bambuddha Grove – Carrer de Sant Joan (Santa Eulalia Del Rio); 011-34-971-197-510; bambuddha.com; among Ibiza’s chicest spots; spicy Asian-fusion fare.
Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge – 13 Paseo Juan Carlos I (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-192-197; ibiza.cavalliclub.com; open-air; seafood.
Giuseppe Cipriani Presents Downtown Ibiza – 1 Passeig Joan Carles I (Ibiza Town); 011-34-971-599-050; cipriani.com/en/services/restaurants/downtown-ibiza; more like show than restaurant; El Morocco elegance & big band.
Lio – Paseo Juan Carlos (Dalt Vila, in Puerto Marina Ibiza); 011-34-971-310-022; lioibiza.com; cabaret restaurant with views of Formentera ferries.
Macau Café – 8 Calle Venda des Poble (Santa Gertrudis); 011-34-971-197-835; trattoria-style lunches.
La Paloma Bakery & Cafe – Carretera Santa Gertrudis-Sant Lorenc (Sant Lorenc de Balafia); 011-34-971-325-543; palomaibiza.com; Mediterranean.
Sublimotion – Platja d en Bossa (Sant Jordi, Eivissa, at Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza); 011-34-971-396-726; sublimotionibiza.com/en; 2 Michelin star chef; surreal, acid-trip-y presentation.
Sueño de Estrellas – 11 Buzon (Port de San Miguel, at Hotel Hacienda); 011-34-971-334-500; hotelhacienda-ibiza.com; incredible views and island’s most sophisticated food.
Es Torrent – Playa Es Torrent (Sant Josep); 011-34-971-802-160; estorrent.net; on beach in lovely cliffside setting; seafood.
Es Xarcu – Carretera PM-803 (Porroig); 011-34-971-187-867; ibizainside.com/wine-and-dine/beach-clubs/restaurant-es-xarcu.html; seafood on beach (can swim, too).

Services
Specifically Ibiza – 119 J.L. Grasset (Santa Eulalia Del Rio, Eivissa); 011-34-971-196-255; specificallyibiza.com; can get anything from on-call driver to masseur to reservations at restaurant.

Shopping
Ceramicas Icardi – 42 Can Ferreret (Sant Rafael); 011-34-971-198-106; ceramicasicardicontacta.blogspot.com; ceramics by Uruguayan potter.
Te Quero – 88 Plaza de la Iglesias (Santa Gertrudis, on square); 011-34-971-197-100; leather bags and goods.

Sights & Sites
Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa – Ronda Narcis Puget (Eivissa); 011-34-971-302-723; mace-eivissa.es.



MALLORCA
Baleares
Restaurants
Es Molí d’en Bou – Carrer Liles (at Coma Playa Hotel & Spa); 011-34-971-569-663; esmolidenbou.es; only your imagination could be trusted to lead you to restaurant as beautiful as this; surrounded by almond and orange fields; located in old stone mill; shellfish stone staircase leads up to comfortable, simple dining area; creative, uncomplicated Mallorcan dishes.

Banyalbufar
Hotels
Son Borguny – 1 Calle Borguny (Port D’Andratx); 011-34-971-148-706; sonborguny.com.

Campos
Hotels
Font Santa Hotel – Carretera de Campos a sa Colònia de Sant Jordi; 011-34-971-655-016; fontsantahotel.com; not best hotel but best natural amenities; neutral-hued, soulful spa set close to island’s best-looking beach and Es Salobrar (saline mounds); 25 rooms, including 5 suites; thermal pool in atmospheric old spa and unheated outdoor pool with Jacuzzis and day-beds; thermal waters that spring from underground aquifers at 38ºC are mineral-rich cocktail of sodium and chlorine salts magnesium, calcium, sulphur, potassium and more.

Costa D’En Blanes
Hotels
St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort – Passeig Calvià; 011-34-971-629-629; stregismardavall.com.

Deia
Hotels
La Residencia – Carrer dels Son Canals; 011-34-971-639-011; hotel-laresidencia.com; among world’s great hotels.
Restaurants
Cafeteria Sa Font Fresca – 36 Via Arxiduc Lluis Salvador; 011-34-971-639-441; small café that overlooks stream and backyards; okay food but delightful location; televised soccer inside.
El Olivo – Carrer dels Son Canals; 011-34-971-639-011; hotel-laresidencia.com.
Sa Foradada – km 65.8 Valldemossa-to-Deia Road (park at mirador); 011-34-971-639-026 or 011-34-616-087-499; saforadada.com; paella; only accessible by boat or rigorous climb; stunning location and excellent food.
Services
Talis & Mya Waldren – myawaldren.com; rental agents.

Lloseta
Hotels
Finca Filicumis – Cami es Tossals Verds; 011-34-630-663-056; filicumis.com.
Restaurants
Santi Taura – 48 Calle Juan Carlos I; 011-34-971-514-622; restaurantsantitaura.com/santitaura.htm; chef is local boy with remarkable talent; chic modern style (concrete and treated metal); atmosphere front-of-house is busy and buzzy; cuisine might best be described as modern market cooking: clever and imaginative; mallorquin-inspired dishes (e.g., rice with mushrooms, prawns, and squid sautéed with sobrassada sausage.

Llucmajor
Hotels
Cap Rocat – Carretera de Cap Enderrocat; 011-34-971-747-878; caprocat.com; former military fort built to protect Spain from US (?) after American troops swooped on Cuba and Philippines; hidden on cliff in peaceful Palma Bay pocket; more heritage site than hotel; fort’s defensive paraphernalia (bunkers, drawbridge, trenches) provide dramatic setting; 22 suites; outdoor infinity pool overlooks sea; dress code military chic or fabulous fisherman.
Hilton Sa Torre – 7-8 Cami de Sa Torre; 011-34-871-963-700; www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/spain/hilton-sa-torre-mallorca-resort-PMIHFHI/index.html; weirdly, although Hilton, wonderful.
Restaurants
Zaranda – 7-8 Cami de Sa Torre (at Hilton Sa Torre); 011-34-871-963-700; www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/spain/hilton-sa-torre-mallorca-resort-PMIHFHI/index.html; possibly Balearic Islands’ best restaurant.

Palma Bay
Hotels
Purobeach Palma Bay – Airport Exit (Cala Estancia); 011-34-971-744-744; purobeach.com; ridiculously hip property with ridiculously hip sister property in Palma de Mallorca.

Palma De Mallorca (includes Genova)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
C’an Joan de S’Aigo – 10 Carrer Sans; 011-34-971-710-759; canjoandesaigo.webs-sites.com; Miro’s favorite ensimada (baked good) spot; also famous for ice cream.
C’an Joan Frau – Santa Catalina Market (Placa Navegacio); 011-34-971-737-862; anardetapes.cat/restaurant-can-frau; where Pilar Miro shopped for bread; known for stuffed eggplant and fried cuttlefish; also, excellent coffee.
Cappucino Palau March – 13 Carrer Conquistador; 011-34-971-717-272; grupocappucino.com; island-wide chain; killer view.
Forn d’es Teatre – 9 Placa Weyler; 011-34-971-225-900; artfully presented cakes and pastries in colorful Art Nouveau setting.
La Pajarita – 4 Calle San Nicolas; 011-34-971-711-844; bonbonería with chocolate truffles and charcutería with ham; in cognac-colored delicatessen paradise on narrow streets of ancient quarter.
Bars & Nightclubs
Bar Abaco – 1 Calle San Juan (take left opposite Calle Apuntadors); 011-34-971-714-939; bar-abaco.com; drops rose petals from ceiling at midnight.
Bar Dia – 18 Calle Apuntadors; 011-34-971-716-264; local crowd, with tapas; try crispy quarter chicken; run by seriously unpleasant couple that are, in and of themselves, worth visit.
C’an Joan Frau – Santa Catalina Market (Placa Navegacio); 011-34-971-737-862; anardetapes.cat/restaurant-can-frau; where Pilar Miro shopped for bread; known for stuffed eggplant and fried cuttlefish; also, excellent coffee.
Beaches
Ses Illetes – where Miro sought inspiration.
Hotels
Castillo Hotel Son Vida – 2 Calle Raixa (Son Vida); 011-34-971-790-000; starwoodhotels.com; high above Palma, on noble Son Vida estate; subtropical parks and championship golf course; turreted 13th Century building in characteristic Mallorcan country house-style; hallways resemble private art collection; 14-metre high, “Ars Brevis” dome; stunning views.
Convent de la Missio – 7 Calle Missio; 011-34-971-227-347; “media-active design” behind cloister walls; in historic city center.
Palacio Ca Sa Galesa – 8 Carrer de Miramar; 011-34-971-715-400; palaciocasagalesa.com; 12 rooms decorated with 17th-18th Century furniture, modern paintings, and sculpture; located in city’s historic center; built in 1571; gorgeous with indoor pool.
Puro Oasis – 12 Urbano Montenegro; 011-34-971-425-450; ridiculously hip; has sister property, also ridiculously hip, on beach in Palma Bay.
Hotel III Tres – 3 Calle Apuntadores; 011-34-971-717-333; hoteltres.com; refuge in old mansion, in old city.
Restaurants
Bar Dia – 18 Calle Apuntadors; 011-34-971-716-264; local crowd, with tapas; try crispy quarter chicken; run by seriously unpleasant couple that are, in and of themselves, worth visit.
La Bodeguilla – 3 Calle de Sant Jaume; 011-34-971-718-274; la-bodeguilla.com; good restaurant with extensive wine list.
C’an Joan Frau – Santa Catalina Market (Placa Navegacio); 011-34-971-737-862; anardetapes.cat/restaurant-can-frau; where Pilar Miro shopped for bread; known for stuffed eggplant and fried cuttlefish; also, excellent coffee.
Casa Gonzalo – 53 Camino els Reis (Genova); 011-34-971-402-296; pa amb oli (basically bruschetta).
Restaurante Refectori – 7 Calle de la Misión de San Diego (in Convent de la Missio); 011-34-971-227-347; conventdelamissio.com; perhaps island’s best restaurant; reserve month in advance, especially for Friday night table on terrace.
Room Palma – 47 Calle Cotoner (Santa Catalina); 011-34-971-281-536; theroompalma.com; simple Italian food.
Sa Roqueta – 11 Carrer Sirena; 011-34-917-249-410; restaurantesaroqueta.com; among city’s best seafood restaurants; along water; Miro favorite; expensive.
Sa Ximbomba – 50 Camino els Reis (Genova); 011-34-971-400-768 or 011-34-639-985-094; open since 1940s; popular with Miro family; try pa amb oli (basically, bruschetta).
Simply Fosh – 7a Carrer Missió (Hotel Convent de la Missio); 011-34-971-720-114; simplyfosh.com; contemporary stylish surroundings; sun terrace and cascading water; Mediterranean, using fresh, seasonal & local ingredients.
Services
Train to Soller – 2 Placa de Espanya; 011-34-902-364-711; sollernet.com/trendesoller/en1.html; wooden; on narrow track; operating since 1912; worth special trip; Miro and Picasso works decorate Soller station.
Shopping
Colmado Colom – 5 Calle de Santo Domingo; 011-34-971-711-159; high-end grocery store with packaged, souvenir items of local fare.
Farrutx – 16 Passeig des Born; 011-34-971-715-308; farrutx.com; shoes made in Mallorca; cosmopolitan flagship store.
Forn d’es Teatre – 9 Placa Weyler; 011-34-971-225-900; artfully presented cakes and pastries in colorful Art Nouveau setting.
L’Ofre – 28 Passeig de’s Born; 011-34-971-723-665; lofre.palma@terra.es; high quality leather and silk; Hermes’ knock-offs.
La Pajarita – 4 Calle San Nicolas; 011-34-971-711-844; bonbonería with chocolate truffles and charcutería with ham; in cognac-colored delicatessen paradise on narrow streets of ancient quarter.
Rialto Living Palma – 3C Carrer de Sant Feliu; 011-34-971-713-331; rialtoliving.com; kaleidoscopic store selling clothing and home furnishings; has art gallery and café.
Tabacos Toni – 20 Passeig des Born; 011-34-971-716-722; tabac; Cohiba, Montecristo, and Davidoff schnapps at Toni’s in fully laden mini-shops along promenade.
Sights & Sites
Bellver Castle – Calle Camilo Jose Cela; 011-34-917-730-657; gothic-style castle on hill 3 km northwest of city; built in 14th Century for Mallorca King James II; among Europe’s few circular castles; used as military prison throughout 18th-mid-20th Century; now city’s history museum.
Carrer de les Minyones – where Miro lived in late 1920s and early 1930s; tiny “slip of street,” unremarkable except for set of gorgeous, curved Art Nouveau windows on one corner.
Es Baluard – 9 Plaza Porta Santa Catalina; 011-34-971-719-609; esbaluard.org; modern art; make sure to see Sala Miro.
Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro a Mallorca – 29 Calle de Saridakis; 011-34-971-701-420; miro.palmademallorca.es; about 15-20 minutes from downtown.
Sa Llotja – 5 Plaza Lonja; 011-34-971-711-705; 15th Century Gothic structure; former stock exchange; now museum.
La Seu – Placa de la Seu (Barri Gotic); 011-34-933-151-554; gothic cathedral.
Mercat Oliver – Placa Oliver; imposing, ancient marketplace.
Mercat Santa Catalina – Placa Navegacio; small, outdoor market.

Pollença
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Gelats Valls – 3 Ecònom Torres 3 (main square); 011-34-971-530-264 (headquarters); gelatsvalls.es; excellent ice cream since 1935.
Hotels
Son Brull – Carretera Palma-Pollença PM 220, km 49.8; 011-34-971-535-353; sonbrull.com; contemporary take on mallorquin country style.
Restaurants
Bar Nou – 13 Antoni Maura (west of main square, below church); 011-34-971-530-005; charming street terrace; best mallorquin cuisine in town; try fish soup and/or paella.
Clivia – 7 Avenida Pollença (south of main square); 011-34-971-533-635; best and most appealing restaurant in town; in century-old house; 2 dining rooms, scattered with antique furniture, and outdoor patio (name comes from bright red flowers (las clivias) planted profusely beside patio); tactful, well-organized staff; limited meats (beef, chicken, pork, and veal) and more appealing roster of seafood prepared with skill and finesse, either baked in salt crust or prepared as part of shellfish parrillada.
La Posada – 40 Antoni Maura (southern corner main square); 011-34-971-530-053; mallorquin-Spanish kitchen.

Puerto De Alcudia
Restaurants
El Jardin – Calle del Tritones; 011-34-971-892-391; restaurantejardin.com/en; imaginative yet traditional; dishes created with care and predominance of fresh seasonal produce.

Puerto De Soller
Hotels
Hotel Esplendido – 5 Es Traves; 011-34-971-631-850; esplendidohotel.com; reinvention of 1954 vintage seaside property; 82 rooms; great food; 2 pools; especially lovely May-June and September-October; sea-view double with private terrace, such as #s 228 or 230, best.
Jumeirah – 91 Carrer de Bèlgica; 011-34-971-639-870; jumeirah.com/mallorca; international luxe.

Puigpunyent
Hotels
Gran Hotel Son Net – Calle Castillo Son Net; 011-34-971-147-000; sonnet.es; set in 17th Century finca; Chagalls and Hockneys; restaurant, Oleum, worth trip.

Son Servera
Hotels
Finca Son Gener – Carretera Ma-4031, km 2.9; 011-34-971-183-612; songener.com; in 18th Century farmhouse; pool; all rooms have terraces; lovely garden.



MENORCA (includes Ciutadella, Es Grau, Es Migjorn Gran, Ferreries, Fornells, Mao, Sa Mesquida & Sant Lluis)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Sa Gelateria de Menorca – 3 Plaza de la Catedral (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-381-892; try almond.
Pastisseria Bagur – 8 Ses Voltes (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-380-640; pastelerias-pastel.es/pastisseria-bagur; make sure to try ensaimada, flaky pastry staple since 1881 in Ciutadella.

Bars & Nightclubs
Bar Es Moll – 17 Carrer d’es Pescadors (Es Grau); 011-34-971-359-167; basic place with plastic tables and chairs; tapas (mussels, prawns, fresh sardines); charm is its position, above jetty where local fishing boats dock.
Can Bernat des Grau – Carretera Mao-Fornells, km 3 (Mao); 011-34-650-974-685; canbernatdesgrau.com.
Ulisses – 22 Plaça de la Llibertat (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-380-031; bar-ulises-en--baleares.buscalis.com; gin bar.

Beaches
Cala Pilar – in north.
Cala Pregonda – in north.
Cala Santandria – 2 miles south of Ciutadella; sheltered, white sand beach near creek; in its background are rock caves (coves of En Forcat, Blanes, and Brut nearby).
Cala de Santa Galdana – 14 miles south of Ciutadella (not reached by public transport); bay here is tranquil and ringed with fine, gold sand; tall bare cliffs rise in background; air smells of pine trees.

Hotels
Ca Na Xini – Camí de Sant Patrici (Ferreries); 011-34-971-373-702; canaxini.com; 8 rooms in modern style; dairy farm; lovely.
Casa Alberti – 9 Calle Isabel II (Mao); 011-34-686-393-569; casalberti.com; in 1740, colonial townhouse.
Marques d’Albranca – 27 Calle Marquès d’Albranca (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-482-208; hoteltressants.com; located 50 meters from town center; atmosphere of rural hotel; each room named after plant: olive; holm oak; cypress; palm; pine; laurel; and lemon.
971 Hotel Con Encanto – 10 Carrer de Sant Sebastia (Ciutadella); 011-34-648-196-973; 971menorca.com; 6-room hotel within steps of cathedral.
Hotel Port Ciutadella – 36 Passeig Marítim-Cap d’Artrutx; 011-34-971-482-520; sethotels.com; “very acceptable” seaside hotel.
Hotel Port Mahon – Avenida Port de Mao (Mao); 011-34-971-362-600; sethotels.com; classic hotel, now somewhat down on its luck.
Hotel Tres Sants – 2 Calle Sant Cristofol (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-482-208; hoteltressants.com; dream world of sponge-colored walls and billowing curtains; breakfast included; owners have few apartments to rent, as well.
Hotel Xuroy – Cala Alcaufar (Sant Lluis); 011-34-971-151-820; xuroymenorca.com; 1950s style, basic, clean, family-owned hotel on gorgeous inlet; real find and value.

Restaurants
Bar Es Moll – 17 Carrer d’es Pescadors (Es Grau); 011-34-971-359-167; basic place with plastic tables and chairs; tapas (mussels, prawns, fresh sardines); charm is its position, above jetty where local fishing boats dock.
Bar Sa Mesquida – 2 Calle d’en Fonso (Sa Mesquida); 011-34-971-188-354; known for grilled fish and paella; tiny kitchen.
Can Bernat des Grau – Carretera Mao-Fornells, km 3 (Mao); 011-34-650-974-685; canbernatdesgrau.com; some of island’s best seafood.
Es Moli d’es Comte – 22 Avenida Constitució (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-481-414; molidescomteasador.com; asador.
Restaurant Migjorn – 1 Avenida de la Mar (Es Migjorn Gran); 011-34-971-370-212; migjorn-canapilar.es; worth detour for locally raised lamb and cod, done well.
Restaurant Sa Llagosta – 12 Carrer de Gabriel Gelabert (Fornells); 011-34-971-376-566; famous for caldereta (lobster stew).
Sa Paradeta den Doro – 75 Cami de Binissafuet (Sant Lluis); 011-34-971-150-353; in typical Menorca lloc (farmhouse); nice patio for summer nights; Mediterranean-Menorcan cuisine; specialties include sardines, tomato, Iberian bacon with hollandaise sauce on puff pastry and/or suckling pig confit with pineapple chutney; operates own bakery.
Ses Truqueries – Carretera de Ciutadella a Cala en Blanes (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-188-384; very rural restaurant, housed in lloc at unpaved lane’s end; most herbs and vegetables grown in adjacent garden; hope for arroz marinero (seafood paella) in soupy Valencian style; call to make sure open.

Services
Laia Segui – 011-34-626-749-206; laiasegui.com; event planner that also has access to some of island’s finest rental properties, such as Binicalsitx (250 year-old lluc).
Shopping
Es Gust – 7 Calle de Sant Pere (Ciutadella); 011-34-971-481-733; tiny shop that supplies picnics, etc.

Sights & Sites
Barranc d’Algendar – Me-1 (Ferreries, easiest access is from Cala Galdana); menorcaminorca.co.uk/algendargorge.html; gorge; among island’s best birding areas; great hiking.
Carrer Quadrado – Ciutadella; street lined with arcades and shops.
Molí de Dalt – Sant Lluis; 011-34-971-151-084; Sant Lluis’ last surviving working windmill, constructed during French era; inside, small museum of rural implements and tools.
Parc Natural de S’Albufera des Grau – between Maó & Es Grau, turn at km 3.5 towards Llimpa (Mao); 011-34-971-356-303; illesbalears.es; broad expanse well-conserved land, including 2 wetlands, islet, and numerous farms that use traditional farming practices; Albufera des Grau, 2-km-long, oval-shaped lagoon, is Menorca’s largest wetland, and nucleus of UNESCO Biosphere Preserve; make sure to walk out to Cap de Favaritx, where there is beautiful black and white lighthouse.
Placa del Born – Ciutadella town square; looks over port from north; square built around obelisk that remembers hopeless struggle against invading Turks who entered city in 1558 and caused much destruction; to west side is Ayuntamiento (Town Hall); to southwest stands Eglésia de San Francisco, 14th Century Gothic building with some excellent carved wood altars; once magnificent opera house, Casa Salort, now is somewhat seedy movie theater; another once-splendid palace, Palacio de Torre-Saura, also opens onto square, owner-occupied, since 1800s; cathedral, Plaça Pío XII, is Gothic in style and fortresslike in appearance.

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