© Jose Rains
La Bodega Restaurant Review, Cala d'Or
Delicious traditional tapas & wine in the centre of Cala d'Or
Last week, I went to tapas heaven and you’ll be pleased to hear you can find it nestled in the heart of Cala d’Or.
It’s more than likely you will stumble across Restaurant La Bodega whilst strolling around the streets of Cala d’Or town. The wine barrels covered by large table tops make this particular establishment stand out from the crowd on the pedestrianized street of ‘Carrer d'en Andreu Roig’.
Recognise it? You might notice the fact that wine corks have been used to write the word ‘La Bodega Tapas y Vinos’ on a sign above the entrance. So, as the name suggests, tapas and wine is the formula here. The word ‘bodega’ is described in the dictionary as “a cellar or shop selling wine and food, especially in a Spanish-speaking country or area” and the décor here is certainly reminiscent of an authentic wine cellar.
Back to the large tables out the front of this restaurant, well, the reason for this is plain and simple. I am sure we can all think back to a time where we have had tapas in a restaurant with small tables, where you end up having to play jigsaw so it all squeezes on (ah, it makes me stressed even thinking about it!). Well here, you’ll be grateful to hear that this restaurant has created jumbo tables using wine barrels and large pieces of wood to cater for your dining needs.
Stepping inside, you are transported back in time. The décor is deep-rooted Spanish - rustic and full of character. Continuing with the cork theme, many walls are made from epic cork displays and you will find wine barrels and bottle displays in every nook and cranny. Within the restaurant, there’s not one but two well-stocked wooden bars, featuring more wine displays and an equally impressive selection of spirits available. Beer drinkers will also be pleased to hear they have chilled Spanish beer on draught too.
And that’s not it - at the back, a charming courtyard setting awaits. Here’s the spot to bask in the sun away from the mass of tourists and enjoy your food in peace. We were really drawn to this area and ordered some cocktails to kick off our lunchtime spread. Based on a recommendation from the waitress, my dining companion picked the ‘Agua de la Bodega’ – it’s as thirst quenching as it sounds and not dissimilar to a sangria. I fancied a bit of sparkle, so went for the ‘Porn Star Martini’ which certainly had a bit of oomph!
Investigating the menu, we were delighted to find a wide selection of Spanish dishes including the popular ‘Pimientos de Padron’ (green peppers), ‘Boquerones’ (anchovies with vinegar and garlic), ‘Gazpacho’ (Spanish cold soup), ‘Patatas Bravas’ and so much more. But let’s go over the dishes we ordered this particular lunchtime, to give you a taster of what Restaurant La Bodega has to offer.
Kicking things off, we couldn’t ignore the ‘Prawns in garlic oil' on the menu. These little beauties cooked in sizzling olive oil and garlic are always a firm favourite whilst holidaying anywhere in Spain. You will be pleased to hear there was plenty of leftover oil to be dipping some crusty bread into afterwards.
Next up, ‘Dates rolled in bacon’. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying out the sensational combination of sweet dates wrapped in salty bacon, then this should be on your bucket list on a visit to Spain. They are a small portion of heaven served on a plate.
We also couldn’t resist the selection of Mediterranean cheeses. The winner for me was the Manchego cheese with fig chutney. The Mahon cheese (from Menorca) and honey combination also had the wow factor! They were presented on a beautiful wooden cheese board, perfect for sharing. Obviously, best washed down with a glass of good vino tinto (red wine). Being a bodega this restaurant is ALL about the wine. There’s a decent selection of Spanish and local wines to choose from. I highly recommend trying some local Mallorcan wine here and the waitress is on hand to talk you through all the different options available based on your individual preferences.
A charcuterie of Spanish meats arrived, featuring the compulsory Serrano Jamon (ham), salami and chorizo and the celebrated Mallorcan speciality ‘Sobrassada’. A cured raw meat sausage which is made with pork meats, chopped and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and other spices. It’s used a little bit like pate, usually distributed on bread or dried biscuits.
Restaurant La Bodega is the kind of place where you will want to tuck into some quality wine and indulge in some typical Spanish cuisine. Of course, if Spanish food isn’t your thing or you just want to take a break from it, then fear not, you can also enjoy pizza, pasta and salads here.
