Vi Vian's Food Blog

Es Cellar – Petra. To begin with, Petra is a small town with a population of about 2,500 habitants. The town is an inland village situated near Manacor and the range of hills, Serra de Llevant. It is not surprising that Petra is not a popular tourist destination as there is only so much that one can do. Unlike the other towns around, Petra does not have much activity for the purpose of tourists. Petra does hold the record of the island’s smallest hotel, with only three bedrooms (Hotel Sa Plaça).

However, there is a figurative hero that the habitants of Petra are proud of. Junipero Serra. He is known as a renowned traveller and missionary in the 1700s. Serra played a key role in the Spanish settlement in the west coast of America, where he established California’s first Jesuit missions in San Diego, Monterey and Carmel. Today, he is celebrated as a hero by the locals.

Moving on, I think I have come across one of the best places to eat in Mallorca. Known as Es Celler, this place is a gem. Originally a wine celler, this emblematic restaurant is very reasonably priced, and serves good sized portions in a rustic and friendly environment featuring Mallorcan home cooking. I personally think that any restaurant in Mallorca churning out this quality of food is going to have queues for a table, and Es Celler sure did. No table reservations are taken. If you do phone and reserve a time, what happens when you arrive and there is a queue, you are only allowed to the front of the queue. No, they are not arrogant. Quite the opposite with their friendly service and hospitality.

This is not my first visit to Es Cellar, and my expectation never fails me. It is always as good as the last time (I always order the same dish, therefore, have a very good collection of experiences on this particular dish. I am the Queen of Sípia – hee hee).

The alloli is extraordinary. Their secret ingredient is the ever so common staple food, potato. I have dined in a number of places around Mallorca and have never had the same taste in any of the alloli.

Frit de Matançes – Not as well known as the popular “Frit de Freixura” (or Frito Mallorquin), Frit de Matançes is traditionally made only when a pig is killed. It consists of largish chunks of pork, with potatoes and red pepper all fried up together with olive oil and herbs. Es Celler does it to perfection!

Entrecôte – My husband once took his father, who was very well travelled, and used to being wined and dined, to Es Celler. He had the entrecôte, and told him that it was the best he had ever tasted, Jeremy can only agree with him. The entrecôte is grilled in their fireplace, and is a generous serving of the tenderest meat one can imagine. Served with delicious chunky fried potatoes and a simple salad, this is rustic mallorcan cooking at its best.

Sípia a la plancha (Grilled squid) – I cannot fault this dish. It is the best grilled squid I have ever had. The texture is firm and flavoursome. The potatoes alone are distinctive. Chunky and not oily, these potatoes are not the normal bland, floury that only lightens up in taste when deep fried in fats.

Es Cellar has other Mallorcan dishes eg. Snails, ‘brut’ rice, paella, and a good selection of grilled meat. If you do explore to inland Mallorca, do make a trip to this restaurant. It is definitely worth your trip. As for us, we make a point of a special trip to Es Celler every few months.

Es Celler

Carrer de l’Hospital
Petra
Mallorca

Tel: +34 971 561056
Closed on Mondays