WHEN Sir Richard Branson invests heavily in an area you sit up and take note. The Virgin tycoon has made no secret of his love for Banyalbufar where he has opened his Son Bunyola Hotel.
I have always liked Banyalbufar but it has been many years since I had visited the Port of Canonge, which is a small fishing village not far from his hotel. The low point is the road down, not for the faint hearted, but when you get there it is well worth it. Little has changed in the Port of Canonge since I was a child but I discovered a restaurant which is a complete delight. Restaurant Ca’n Toni Moreno just looks like your typical beachside restaurant but the food and the prices speak for themselves. The food is also very fresh.
I started my meal with one of the dishes of the day, sliced tomatoes in olive oil, a very unassuming dish but it was superb. The bread had been bought that morning so there was no need to toast it, which is rapidly becoming the norm in some restaurants.
I followed up with the mussels, these were of the small “rock” variety and absolutely delicious served in a sauce. The shell fish platter or mariscada was enormous and cost just 35 euros. Again, lovely and fresh. I had the sea bass with boiled potatoes which was good. Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and amazing food we decided to have a meat course. I think it was one of the best steaks I have ever eaten and the chips were superb.
To end the meal a cheese board and for once the pickle was what I expected. The whole meal was washed down with their excellent white and red house wines. The cost of the meal worked out at about 60 euros a head but remember I had two starters, two main courses (fish and meat) and a cheese board.
Before you start recommending me to weight watchers I did share some of my dishes (but not much!). It was all served beautifully by the staff who couldn’t have been nicer. This was Mallorca at its best ... and it was old Mallorca with simple good food which was very fresh.
As an example you could have two shellfish platters and a bottle of wine and still get change from 100 euros.
I think the lunch started at about 2pm and we finally got up at about 6.30. I would say that it was one of the best meals I have had in Mallorca for many years.
Restaurant Ca’n Toni Moreno, Carrer es Port d’es Canonge, 2, C, 07190 Port des Canonge, Balearic Islands 971610426.