The Majorcan Holy Grail

Mallorca is full of treasure troves, you just have to know where to look. It seems an impossible dream to find an authentic restaurant, but a sublime experience awaited us at the end of a single track road.  Rick Stein has made this little farmhouse on the way to the Castel d'Alaro in the centre of Mallorca famous.
A family run farm, which specialises in -without question- the tastiest, most succulent lamb on the island.

If you are brave enough to drive the 4km up the mountain with hairpin bends, then this is what you are in for...

As we continued to spin heavenwards, the view got more and more breath-taking...

note: no wall at side of road- not for the faint-hearted!

Once you arrive, and your heart rate returns to normal, you will discover this little gem...

The restaurant was surprisingly busy; we couldn't believe we were not the only nut-cases that had risked our lives climbing the mountain!

 We asked for a bottle of Tinto Vino, and the Mallorcan woman brought over this unmarked bottle for us and some glass tumblers, very rustic, just what we were hoping for.

We ordered the lamb chops and the famous shoulder of lamb, which is slow cooked and prepared over night by Antonia the owner of the restaurant.

 When I say the meat fell off the bone, I mean it, it was deelish!

 Cooked in the wood fired oven, covered in beer, water, onions, carrots and well salted it was absolutely out this world! 

Antonia cooking by the wood fired oven

Trays of lamb ready to be slow roasted for 3 hours

Antonia working away preparing tomorrow's lamb.

After lunch we wandered around the grounds of the farmhouse and took in the views of the island...

Met our next meal....

The bottle and 1/2 of wine helped considerably with the journey back down the mountain!

This was definitely worth the terrifying drive, I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a rustic experience and of course, anyone who appreciates good lamb!

xo