Our tips: go for their delicious daily menu for €15, made with local fresh products from the market OR go for a pit stop and refreshing cocktail before heading home after a day on the beach.
For the past ten years the 11-bedroom Boutique Hostal Salinas has been forging a reputation as one of the coolest places to stay on the island. The combination of amazing location and a unique style of hospitality - not forgetting to mention the notorious opening and Halloween parties - have firmly established this place on the Ibiza scene. The atmosphere is so relaxed and personal that regular guests have even been known to check themselves in.
On a typical summer evening, genial hosts and co-owners Anita and Düsi will be found entertaining their clients on the terrace bars with their generous charm and infectious laughter. Meanwhile, co-owner DJ David Phillips mixes the down-tempo eclectic tunes and the champagne sangria. Service is informal, with T-shirts and sandals a reflection of the location; it is always very friendly and warm.
A great boutique hotel deserves a boutique restaurant and Boutique Hostal Salinas delivers on both. Whether catering for an intimate dinner for two or for parties of up to 100, chef Manuel Novás has introduced a Galician flair for fine produce and seafood excellence to the cuisine of this secluded corner of Ibiza. All dishes are freshly prepared and the menu evolves on a daily basis according to what returns from Manuel's daily visit to the Ibiza fish market or what is currently residing in the hostal's huerto.
QUALITY FIRST
Falafel, beautifully presented
Situated on Spain's north-west, Galicia is not only famous for the finest fruits of the Atlantic Ocean, but is also has renown for the quality of the produce from its fertile land. Beef sent over from Galicia is hung for over 21 days before it is ready to be cut into sirloins, minced for the gourmet burgers or barbecued on the terrace. Chef Manuel's ethos is to let the quality of his produce speak for itself. You won't find over elaborate recipes on the menu but you will eat simple, honest dishes which are bursting with flavour.
The venue keeps an extensive selection of Galician wine and, although a wine list is available, wines are generally chosen by Düsi to suit the client and the occasion. With our starters Düsi recommended a light and refreshing white, San Clodio Ribeiro, which was summery and fruity and all the rage in Spain right now.
There is plenty on the menu to satisfy the vegetarian diner. We started with a very generous bowl of home-made hummus, sprinkled with smokey paprika and served with flatbread and crudites. We polished off the bowl with warm, freshly-baked bread straight from the oven.
Stacked and packed with flavour
Four tomatoes flavoured with aromatic micro-basil
Our favourite was the Italian four-tomato salad. The stacked slices of fresh tomato with mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes, accompanied by rocket, walnuts and sprigs of intensely aromatic micro-basil was typical of the chef's ethos of simplicity. Another very satisfying vegetarian option on the menu was a pair of flavourful falafels, in pitta bread salad wraps, generously dressed with minty yoghurt and snipped chives.
Switching to red wine for our main course, Düsi was keen to serve us his personal favourite, a very robust, yet smooth, Ribera Del Duero. France meets Spain in this seductive blend of Tempranillo and Merlot grapes.
During high summer Manuel prepares ceviches and daily seafood specials, all freshly made to order. Sadly our visit was too early in the season to take advantage of the live produce direct from the tank, although we could enjoy the grilled sea bass ‘a la plancha', possessed of a satisfyingly crispy skin and served with slices of potato and garlic.
Hungry travellers in the house
Satisfaction guaranteed, the hearty Milanese escalope
A house-favourite dish is the very hearty Milanese escalope, an enormous, chicken thigh, flattened and coated in breadcrumbs with a mixture of seven herbs. Smothered with melted goat's cheese and served with a baked potato, this dish is perfect for the seriously hungry traveller.
Also very popular with guests was the very enjoyable, hand-minced gourmet beef burger with fries, which really hit the spot. The burger was packed with lettuce, tomato, fried onions and avocado but the quality of the meat still shone through.
Our meal was finished off with a simple light dessert of Mascarpone, poppy seeds and strawberries. An ideal sweet to share and to refresh the palate, the bowl was empty within seconds as teaspoons duelled for the final spoonful.
After a long day lazing in the sunshine at one of the finest beaches on the island, a step into the colourful, unconventional and creative world of Boutique Hostal Salinas is the perfect venue to relax and recharge, before wending your way home or heading out into the night.
