Welcome to Placeta Garden
By Arnd
What a Mess!
After our little hiking trip in the foothills of the Tramuntana between Port de Pollença and Cala St. Vicenç, we stopped at the Placeta Garden.
It sits on the main road between Port de Pollença and Pollença and has the slightly quaint but cozy charm of a garden restaurant, much like those you often find at Lake Garda or in northern Italy.
At the Placeta Garden There Are Many Carriages
Indeed, there's a huge parking lot — we park under shade-giving old trees. And we're a bit surprised by the grounds, flanked on the right by a large collection of fantastically preserved carriages. Worth seeing not just for children's eyes.
We look a bit enviously at the beautifully set long table, but of course sit down at our table for two, which, like most of the occupied tables, sits in pleasant shade in a sort of colonnade of the main building. A few intrepid souls, I suspect English or German, sit in the larger main area under small parasols.
The Argentine waitress tells us that the owners have changed. And indeed everything made a fresher and more well-kept impression than on the last visit about a year ago, when I had already been here with the best wife of all.
The Last Sunday of the Month
It's the last Sunday of the month and that's exactly why there's — as every last Sunday of the month — a special menu. First course paella, then suckling pig, and to finish a pineapple carpaccio. All for 23.90 euros. Not much to think about!
Dry Bread, Beautifully Packaged
We start with the traditional Pa amb Oli. Praised by the enthusiastic server, who obviously loves Mallorcan bread. In my personal opinion, Mallorcan bread isn't among the absolute highlights of Mediterranean cuisine.
But rubbed with garlic, the small aromatic Mallorcan tomatoes and a good olive oil plus some salt, it becomes a highlight of Mediterranean cuisine. The brittle, bland rye bread transforms into the perfect and crispy base for a flavor explosion!
I make myself unpopular when I remark that there's a great similarity to Pan Catalán. Tip on the side: Never say something like that... And if you do, only in German so nobody understands...
Next up is the paella. Things actually go slightly downhill from here. Flavor-wise very good. Visually appealingly presented. But the rice lacks a bit of that wonderful gooey creaminess. So good. But not quite superb.
But to be clear: this is complaining at a high level. We're eating here for 23.90 per person. Even including individual drinks! That's a sensational value for money so far at the Placeta Garden!
Suckling Pig - Politically Incorrect...
And now look at the main course. The lechona, typical here — the suckling pig, with its wonderfully crispy and not at all greasy skin. Underneath, the meat with a perfect level of doneness, great mild flavor. Juicy. And not at all fatty. I ask how long they cook it. At low temperature, 3-4 hours minimum. You can taste it. A fantastic dish!
The whole thing garnished with homemade hand-cut french fries and a hint of aromatic gravy. Pure poetry!
In Sweetness Lies the Power?!
The dessert consists of a pineapple carpaccio that's personally too sweet for me, sitting in a sugary watery liquid. Over it — the 90s send their regards — balsamic vinegar was drizzled. Okay, you can eat it. It's not bad. But after the flavor revelation, it's a slight disappointment.
Regardless, we're both more than full. This menu is a small sensation. The Placeta Garden is also interesting for families with children — there's a small attached playground. It's also a bit dated. But better than none and a nice way for parents to switch off while still having the kids within reach.
Conclusion: You have to try this menu! It has its qualitative ups and downs. But for the price, it's absolutely unbeatable, and you simply sit very relaxed in a green atmosphere.
Come to Pollença and enjoy the food at the Placeta Garden!