Lunch With A View At Mint Lounge

Just close enough to get a touch of the action, but just far enough away to feel totally relaxed and at peace – Mint Lounge has it all. Situated on the Sunset Strip of San Antonio, the restaurant overlooks the madness of the party town across a stretch of perfect, glittering ocean. Take to this peaceful enclave on a lunchtime to recuperate from the constant party that is Ibiza as you watch the boats bob by on the water and listen to the ocean. We were already in heaven before we even tried the food, but afterwards… perfection.

Mint Lounge Ibiza is part of the popular Cafe Mambo group, and is well-known for it’s epic parties, but visit during the day and it’s barely recognisable. Soft, ambient music is played just loud enough so that you don’t miss the sound of the ocean, food is fresh, light and plentiful and the mood is easy and relaxed. We were lucky enough to sample the extensive lunch menu boasted by the restaurant – no matter where you’re based in San Antionio, it’s worth travelling to this little oasis in the middle of the madness.

It’s never too early for a cocktail on the White Isle, and our wonderful host immediately greeted us with several boozy offerings. We tried a classic mint julep – naturally – as well as a modern take on the classic sangria and gin & tonic. The Sangria, which was made with fanta limon, was strong, fruity and refreshing, but it was the Pimienta Rosa – that’s a very posh gin & tonic to you and I – that really stole the show. Garnished with fresh grapefruit and orange, the drink contaned Voortrekker gin, Jamaican and pink peppercorns and Schweppes pink pepper tonic. Somehow, it was both spicy and really refreshing – hard to encapsulate in words, and definitely one to try!

Our starters arrived promptly, and tried several things from the eclectic menu. First up was a generous portion of gorgonzola and mushroom croquettes, which were incredibly creamy, cheesy and rich, and perfectly crisp on the outside. They were garnished with large flecks of black rock salt, which added an element of interest to the dish. We also sampled the beef carpaccio – a classic but always exciting dish. Again, the portions were generous (we’re spotting a theme), and it was rich and fresh, wafer thin slices that melt in the mouth. It was perfectly paired with delicious al dente asparagus, rocket and parmesan shavings. Since Mint lounge is an Italian restaurant by nature, our generous host also urged us to try the bruschetta, which is brand new on the menu for 2017. A far cry from the standard bruschetta offering, the perfectly crispy tostadas were topped with whole plum tomatoes as well as chopped tomatoes and black olives, capers and rocket. It was presented simply on a black slate and garnished with sea salt and was unbelievably crunchy and satisfying, whilst still feeling light and fresh enough for the daytime.

To be honest, after our generous portions of starters, we were starting to feel full – we couldn’t even have anticipated the amazing main course spread we were about to be faced with. We sampled four dishes – the chef’s salad, the seafood linguine, the speciale pizza and the vegetarian burger. The names do not do them justice. The salad was well thought out and incredibly flavoursome; tender green curry marinated chicken sat on a bed of leaves, tomato, mango and home made guacamole. The whole thing was finished with a zesty mango and lime vinigarette and crispy carasau bread, which has its roots in Sardinian cooking. The seafood linguine – my personal favourite – had been baked in parchment to lock in the flavour. As a result it was not only flavoursome, but slightly crunchy. It was combined with cherry tomatoes and had been seasoned with garlic, basil and parsley, and the seafood was so fresh that you could literally taste the ocean. It’s always exciting opening a dish that’s wrapped in parchment – almost like a present – and this one did not disappoint.

The speciale pizza – which came laden with spinach, ricotta, salami, ham and parmesan – was huge. It’s definitely one for those with a heartier appetite – but that didn’t make it any less delicious. The base was super light, fluffy, crispy and authentic, and the sauce was fragrant and almost sweet. In the midday heat, it didn’t seem quite right to order a pizza, but our host urged us to do so on the strength that they’re the speciality – and we feel like we made the right decision in listening to her. It was brilliant. The vegetarian burger, homemade from chickpeas and served in a toasted pitta with grilled vegetables and tzatziki, could sway even the most devout carnivore. It was perfectly spiced and stodgy, served with incredible sweet potato crisps. It felt like such a healthy alternative to the usual meaty burger, but no less satisfying.

By the time it came to choosing a dessert, we didn’t think we could face anymore food. But we soldiered on in the name of the review and chose two of the lightest things we could find on the menu – a fruit platter with a white chocolate dip and a white chocolate panna cotta with a passionfruit coulis. The panna cotta was incredibly rich and – depending on how much you’ve already had to eat – might be a good one to share. The fruit platter was prettily tropical, layered up with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries as well as mango and dragonfruit. It’s the perfect dessert to pick at over coffee, or when you fancy something sweet but you’ve already overindulged with the other courses.

If you’re stuck for a perfect lunch spot – nothing too flash but nothing too basic, something peaceful but not too far from the action and plenty of good food without it feeling too much – then Mint Lounge is the place to be. Watch the beautiful Balearic sea and idle away the hours with a total feeling of peace.

Booking & information:
w: www.grupomambo.com/mint-lounge