Local Fare
The place: Terragust
Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
May 16, 2023
The island landscape wrapped around old farmsteads, through gentle meadows, and led to quaint towns nestled between coves on the Mediterranean Sea. We spent mornings sipping warm cappuccinos from small mugs before walking the narrow roads of town squares and riding local trams between neighboring towns. We ordered whole fish, deboned at our table, plates of picked vegetables, olives and cheese. We had dinners at the water’s edge, a spritz or glass of wine overlooking a street festival or at a small table as we watched the sun set behind sailboats. Mallorca is a feast for the senses, a buffet of all your favorite things. It is dramatic and peaceful, luxurious and rustic. It is a place you go to enjoy a slow pace and a good meal.
Two days before setting off for the sister island of Menorca, we booked a lunch tour with Terragust, a local, farm-to-table restaurant. It began with a friendly guide leading us through rows of citrus trees, picking ripe fruits and describing the various growing and harvesting processes. In their large greenhouses, we filled our canvas bags with pounds of bursting tomatoes, large bunches of fresh basil, and handfuls of vegetables picked straight from the dirt.
The tour was followed by a lingering, multi-course tasting menu meant to take place among the lemon trees. A rainstorm rolled in from the coast, so instead of eating alfresco, our meal was served inside, under rows and rows of ripe tomatoes in a massive tomato shed. As we ate fresh baked bread with earthy olive oil, sipped the local wine, and enjoyed four courses, rain pelted on the shed roof and thunder vibrated the cement floor. The food, the weather, and the location made for an unforgettable and decadent experience. An experience I immediately wanted to recreate at home.
Our time spent in this peaceful landscape, dining at oceanside restaurants, and strolling through orange groves served as the inspiration behind the meet me in Mallorca collection. I wanted a collection that was neutral, simple, and organic. Pieces that could be mixed and matched, and pieces that allowed the vibrant colors of in-season fruits and vegetables to stand-out.
If you ever find yourself in Mallorca, I do encourage you to visit Terragust for a wonderful farm-to-table experience.
