For buzz, for uniqueness, for quality, for sheer contentment at the end of an evening, Bambuddha has long, long been a favourite. This is the restaurant worth the limousine ride (or rock up in your jeep and let the Valet team park it for you - it's part of the service). This is the restaurant that when they say "no tables available" you ask if you can eat at the bar.
So much has been written about Bambuddha, about the proprietor John Moon across the years that Encyclopedia Britannia could probably issue a Special Edition - rightly so. Bambuddha is without a doubt one of my favourite restaurants on the island and only gets better, year on year.
John Moon, the man behind Bambuddha is as colourful as his extraordinary restaurant and tells his own story on the Bambuddha website better than I ever could. Suffice to say the man has traveled the World, undertaken almost every experience of temptation known to man (from drugs to religion), faced his own imminent demise and that of his businesses and refused to accept either. It's a story I think is worth reading, pre-meal for it only enhances, adds an extra facet, to what is assured to be a fabulous night out.
Bambuddha restaurant is still in many ways a newcomer to the island scene. Opening in 1999, the restaurant reflected the erraticisms of the man behind it and very nearly failed. Like John however, it had something the island and people celebrate - uniqueness and eventually, excellence.
Trying to describe the restaurant is almost as complicated as trying to summarise John Moons life. There are nine elements to the building and it is often referred to as a village, not unsurprisingly so. The decor throughout is again Asian, Buddhist, Tantric influenced and a visual masterpiece (prudes beware!...) Bamboo is everywhere, beautifully lit, guiding you into the reception, beside which Sasha Moons Boutique (Johns daughter and first born), is stocked with objects of sensuality. Once your reservation is swiftly confirmed, you are welcomed to have a pre-dinner drink in the Siam Bar, decked out with grand leather sofas and images of Buddha. It's worth trying a cocktail or two, the staff exquisitely trained.
There are several rooms in which you can eat but I have to confess the Bali Restaurant is unfailingly my favourite, if the least discreet. It's a huge, high ceiling, subtly lit restaurant, and the ambience is superb. Friends, lovers, groups all come to partake. Smiles abound and the conversations swerve from good humour to deeply intimate. It's almost impossible for the vibe not to affect you a little. Discreetly watching the other diners is part of the fun.
John Moon himself and these days his second born, Jonjon Moon are often present, chatting amicably with guests whilst the staff efficiently make sure everyone is catered to.
The menu is an extravagance of Johns travels. With a strongly Asian flavour blended expertly with Mediterranean influences, each dish is both beautifully prepared and presented. Ostrich sits comfortably with Sirlion steak and exemplary Thai curries on a menu that has delighted even the fussy-est of my guests across the years.
The desserts raise eyebrows and then smiles for those tempted to live, to explore, to experience - my personal favourite is the Tantra Delight - Curry parfait on a black chocolate cream infused with rosemary and coconut ice cream on top. Bliss.
I have quite literally time and again watched people arrive at Bambuddha without a reservation. Sometimes - rarely - there is a table available. If not, those who know the restaurant, the quality of the food invariably ask to eat at the bar. I have never witnessed this to such an extent at any other restaurant and in many ways, that says more than my own words could ever convey.
Long before it was my job to review island restaurants Bambuddha was a fond favourite. Now writing this, having had an entire season of sampling some of the best Ibiza restaurants have to offer, Bambuddha remains easily a favourite.
Ibiza has many, many sides to her but I would offer that if you know Bambuddha, you will be a little richer in life for the experience, you will understand Ibiza just that little bit better.
Price: Average spend, not including drinks, would comfortably be 45-55 euro per person (a bigger margin than usual of 10 euros but the menu is extensive, allowing for a lot of choice)
Bambuddha's own website is comprehensive and if you're in any doubt, take a peek ... then make your reservation!
