Authentic Flavours At Babylon Beach Ibiza

A few days ago, I found myself waking up with a hangover that was much worse than I could have anticipated the night before – or is that every hangover, really? Checking my calendar with a thumping head, I saw we had a lunch at Babylon Beach Ibiza booked in. While normally any sort of appointment would have filled me with doom in this state, I exclaimed a victorious ‘Ha!’ and went to get ready. Why? Because with its laid-back atmosphere and utterly delicious, nourishing food, Babylon Beach is the perfect place to recover from the White Isle’s whirlwind of events.

I only discovered the relaxed chiringuito on the outskirts of Santa Eulalia when I joined Essential Ibiza last summer, and it was love at first sight – and bite. Bean bags invite you to lie back and enjoy the stunning views over glittering blue waters, a chilled soundtrack drifts into your ear and palm leaf covered roof rustles in the breeze. The interiors are made with driftwood, enhancing the venue’s down-to-earth vibe even further. And the food and drinks? Well, I’m about to come to that, but let me tell you it’s divine!

Babylon Beach is all about homemade dishes and beverages created with the freshest local organic ingredients – where possible – and sources a great part of its produce from their own farm. The menu might look deceptively simple, but if you enquire about the preparation of each dish, you’ll be stunned to find out how much thought and care – and in some cases large amounts of time – have gone into the preparation. The divine chicken, for example, takes three days to arrive from kitchen to table, following an old tradition to retain the right level of moisture and combine all the flavours of each step involved. And it’s the same for the craft cocktails, which are mixed with homemade infusions and enhanced with expert mixologist alchemy.

We started our lunch with a selection of the artisanal concoctions. My friend enjoyed a creamy and sweet Pina Colada made with toasted coconut syrup and fresh pineapple, which tasted refreshingly natural compared to how you might remember this classic recipe. I was recommended a tangy and super spicy Bloody Mary to help with my hangover, which was seasoned with homemade Worcester sauce plenty of chilli. For the finishing touch, cocktail guru Jorge hand-burned a twig of fresh rosemary that was sticking out from the drink to intensify the aromas.

While we waited for our starters, one of Babylon Beach’s famous pizza breads arrived at our table, which, in itself, is enough reason to pay a visit. Made to order on site, the soft dough is topped with fruity roasted tomatoes, a sprinkling of sea salt, a drizzle of olive oil as well as fresh rosemary and is served with a bowl of potent, creamy aioli. It is so good that once you have tasted it you won’t forget about it, and I enthusiastically declared that you hadn’t been to Ibiza until you have tried this masterpiece of bakery.

For starters, we shared a steaming bowl of fresh mussels marinara, the huge molluscs bursting with flavour and soaked in an irresistible aromatic sauce jam-packed with whole cherry tomatoes. The chilli and garlic prawns were tender with a little kick of spice, while the pork belly taco with kimchi and coriander wowed us with the different textures of crispy crackling and a crunchy shell, filled to the brim with meat and veggies and topped with a spicy chilli sauce. Rounding off our selection was a colourful Greek salad “as it should be done” with zesty olives, crumbly feta, sharp red onions and fragrant tomatoes – a feast for both the palette and the eye.

After this nourishing first course, I was feeling very enthused about what was to come next – and I wasn’t disappointed. As soon as I spotted Babylon Beach’s famous chicken, with its perfectly brown and crispy skin, I knew it would be spectacular. Prepped over several days and undergoing a series of different methods to achieve the perfect texture, it was possible the best piece of poultry I have ever tasted. The skin was crispy and aromatic, and the flesh melted off the bone oozing moisture. It needed little more than a bowl of homemade chips to turn it into a spectacular dish that will lure you back to the restaurant before you know it.

We also tried one of the daily specials, an impressive specimen of a Scorpion Fish large enough to serve two people, which was roasted in a tray with olives, tomatoes and onions. The fish was soft and tasted heavenly together with the rich sauce and accompanied by a simple, crunchy green salad. One for the meat lovers, the Inka-cooked ‘entrana’ skirt steak was rich in flavour and oozing with juices, served with a herby green paste to add even more intensity to its aromas.

After so much goodness, I was ready to hit one of the comfortable sun loungers for a sneaky snooze in the sun – but not before desserts. We ended the leisurely afternoon with a intensely chocolatey ganache served with a mango coulis and fresh raspberries, the dark cocoa juxtaposed by the tropical bittersweet fruit. A new Babylon Beach addiction of ours to add to the growing list, the deconstructed Banoffee Pie was simply delicious, and even after the three previous courses I couldn’t stop shovelling it into my mouth. The kids on our table were delighted to try Babylon Beach’s homemade ice lollies, which come in two flavours: mixed berries and orange and agave – completely natural. And so, another delicious lunch at the laid-back chiringuito came to an end… But, staved off with relaxing surroundings and quality food, so had my hangover. Thank the heavens!

Information & Bookings
t: +34 971 33 21 81
fb: www.facebook.com/BabylonBeachIbiza