It was during the summer of 2021 when the restaurant Sa Punta (Es Castell, Minorca) opened its doors the quietest of the Balearics to conquer both local who resides on the island throughout the year –beware that they do not close when the season is over!–; like to tourist that moves summer after summer looking for the latest gastronomic novelties.
In just over a year of travel, what was once the yacht club restaurant has now become the new place to be in Minorca that can boast hang the ‘full’ sign most nights this summer. The perfect place to organize a date with your partner, a meeting with your usual friends, a meal with the family or a dinner in the best company that goes on for give way later to the cocktail of rigor. Which by the way are one of their great specialties!
The views from the terrace.
The best thing about the whole equation is that there is still a long summer period ahead and Menorca is postulated as the best possible plan. Of course, lunch or dinner in Sa Punta should be a mandatory stop on our way through the island. Do you need more reasons to convince yourself? Keep reading!
A RESTAURANT BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF ES CASTELL (AND FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VISIT IT)
Sa Punta stems from the motivation matthew –an Englishman in love with the island, as well as committed to tradition and respect for it–, who decided to recover this emblematic yacht club of the fishing port of Cales Fonts (belonging to the port of Mahón) to transform it into a restoration proposal adapted to the needs of the present and with many motivations for the future; maintaining at all times the essence of the locality that in its day conquered the Menorcans and the inhabitants of Es Castell.
What views!
“The Sa Punta project was born by and for the town of Es Castell, obviously it is also directed towards tourists; but our goal is for Sa Punta to be the restaurant of Es Castell, that its inhabitants continue to feel that it is the family meeting point on Sundays.
It is an establishment with a unique and special enclave, is at the tip of Cales Fonts, so from the restaurant we see leaving the first sun of Spain and we also have almost 360º views of the port of Mahón”, they tell Condé Nast Traveler from the communication department of Sa Punta.
This is how this place opened its doors in June 2021, offering quality cuisine based on local products, In addition to a clear commitment to the kilometer 0. But he did not do it alone, on the lower floor of the establishment they inaugurated at the same time The Moll of Sa Punta, a more relaxed space and meeting point known as 'The canteen' where to share some tapas around the table or a signature cocktail at sunset before giving way to dinner.
Let's dip bread!
As soon as the diner crosses the doors of Sa Punta, he finds himself in a diaphanous place in which the atmosphere that here Care has been taken down to the smallest detail. a decoration in earth colors and neutral tones with minimalist elements that add but do not saturate, pleasing to the eye and that invite you to spend long hours in the place.
With two spaces that converge perfectly, the terrace and the interior room, each one is designed to meet the needs and priorities of each client. They put the icing on the cake mediterranean style trees and plants perfect to accompany the moment and some breathtaking views of the sea.
Bread with oil, don't miss it.
“Ultimately, the future diner is going to find a place full of peace, calm and lots of light. Not to mention our fabulous team like Naomi, the room manager, a great professional who cares so that each person who visits us has a pleasant experience.
To this we must add all the staff, both in the kitchen and in the dining room, which is made up of people with a great human and professional quality. Good treatment is guaranteed here!”, sentenced from Sa Punta.
Looking at the sea.
CREATIVE GASTRONOMY IN A MEDITERRANEAN KEY
In front of the kitchen we are welcomed by the experienced and passionate chef Roberto Sarrio. His cuisine is creative and designer, but without forgetting the most traditional part of the Menorcan gastronomy and Mediterranean. The result? The usual, but with a completely reversed proposal.
“The project is to offer a quality kitchen serving us as local product as far as possible. We want to be a inclusive restaurant, so we adapt to any allergy and intolerance, In addition to offering a vegan and vegetarian proposal very interesting”, acknowledge from Sa Punta.
The first thing we should do when we sit down at the table is to ask between their offer of breads –there are sourdough, crystal and gluten-free– and accompany them with the bowls of oil, tomato and aioli. A practice so ours that we can no longer ignore summer after summer in the Mediterranean.
Already focused on the Sa Punta menu, we find options such as the burrata salad, spiced pumpkin and coriander pesto with peanuts; the smoked red tuna loin with ponzu sauce and white truffle oil; slices of Iberian pork, olives and fried almonds; the sautéed mushrooms with the house sauce and garrofón humus; the monkfish, romescada and chimichurri mayonnaise or the suckling lamb chops sautéed with tzatziki and eggplant.
And of course, his great specialty: rice and fideuás. The crown jewels? Their gross paella with cuttlefish and balls; its sticky rabbit rice and trumpets of death; and the noodles in the pot with vegetables. You won't know which one to opt for!
At dessert time we should not overlook the coconut French toast with roasted pineapple sorbet, the island cheese board or its cheesecake.
And of course, let's not forget to check the Dishes of the day that arrive to us arranged in a small page printed together with the official letter. There we may find our final selection of lunch or dinner on duty!
A GREAT COMMITMENT TO SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
More and more restaurants are betting on an ambitious cocktail menu, beyond the usual mojito or piña colada. Whether during lunch-dinner or after them, in Sa Punta they have a careful offer of signature cocktails that take us to eternal summer, regardless of the time of year in which we find ourselves.
“Our cocktail menu is configured with the products of Biniarbolla Liquor Store, with whom we collaborate closely. Both brand liqueurs and herbs, they can be tasted in our balanced, varied and creative drinks menu”, they recognize from Sa Punta.
Let's toast to Menorca!
options like Sa Punta Vermouth, Margarita, Moscow Mule, Dry Martini or the famous Pomada –typical drink of Menorcan gastronomy– are some of those that do not go unnoticed. And your star cocktail? Its own creators are the ones who answer us: “our cocktail nº1 is the Herbes Sour, a version of the traditional Pisco Sour, but with Biniarbolla herbs. These give it a touch of acidity and sweetness that ends up enchanting everyone who tries it. Whoever comes to Sa Punta should ask for it!”, they acknowledge.
From here we promise to take you at your word. What do you say, we drop by Sa Punta as soon as we set foot on the island of Menorca? Booking in 3,2,1…