| Mayonnaise is said to have been born in Mahon (mahonesa). The more popular version - served in almost all establishments is "Alioli" - garlic mayonnaise. Ask for this with any dish or why not simply start the meal with a bowl of Alioli brought along with the bread basket! A variety of the normal bread can be replaced with "Pa amb oli" (bread with oil) which usually consists of rustic sliced bread sprinkled with olive oil and rubbed with tomatoe and garlic. Wonderful served with Mahon cheese and/or cured ham. |
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| "Tapas" are also popular but are not normally found in resorts - more in the towns, villages and ports. This is a wonderful way to sample the local cooking. Some bars will only have a couple displayed on the bar and will be happy to give you a list of what is available. Others display a staggering variety along the length of the bar. |
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TYPICAL MEALS AND COSTS
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| The cost of these menus can vary between as little as 8 Euros and 21 Euros, depending on the type of restaurant you choose. If you are very hungry, look for a local restaurant where the menu del dia is great value. |
| 1) A typical "menu del dia" priced around 8 - 12 Euros: |
| Starter - Mixed salad/cannelones/asparagus with egg and mayonnaise |
| Main Course - Pork chops/roast chicken/cod in sauce - with potatoes |
| Pudding - Crème Caramel/ice cream/fresh fruit |
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| 2) The higher priced variety (18 - 21 Euros) may consist of something like this: |
| Starter - Fish and leek loaf with prawns/stuffed courgettes/lentil salad with duck |
| Main Course - Stuffed rabbit/Hake Mediterranean-style/Roast lamb with honey |
| Pudding - Chocolate mousse/Lemon tart with raspberries/Profiteroles |
| Try the following local dishes: |
| Stuffed aubergine - "berenjena rellena" |
| Stuffed onion - "cebolla rellena" |
| An oven dish of pork chops on a bed of potatoes - "Chuletas al horno" |
| Lobster stew - "Caldereta de langosta" |
| Tiny baby squid cooked in a light batter - "Chipirones" |
| Cabbage with partridge - "Lomo con col" |
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| You may like to pay at least one visit to the Restaurant "Es Pla" on the water's edge in the fishing village of Fornells. Their speciality is the lobster stew but they have a wide selection of local dishes and more cosmopolitan cuisine, mainly based on fresh fish but with good quality meats. As well as the A La Carte menu they also offer a selection of 2 very reasonably-priced set menus. King Juan Carlos of Spain always makes this a port of call when holidaying in the Balearics with his family. |
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| For those with children there is a Burger king in Cuitadella. |
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| It is customary (though not obligatory) to tip waiters if you believe they have given you good service. As a guideline, the norm is to tip between 5 and 10%. This is entirely at your own discretion. |
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