At Amante Beach Club, Zoë Perrett finds an Ibizan venue where it’s impossible not to fall in love with the view, the food, and (most likely) your dining companion
When you’re in a state of unrivalled relaxation that can only be achieved when you’re sunk deep into an oversized beanbag beside your lovely love, chilled cava in one hand, the other hand in theirs, even the prospect of fine food can make itnigh-on impossible to struggle to your feet.
Especially when you’re somewhat transfixed by the
sun-soaked, panoramic view of the azure blue sea that
stretches out into infinity and laps gently at the pebbly beach below, and are equally in awe of the aesthetically-blessed
people who surround you.
Sprawling out across three floors housing a restaurant, bar and terrace, Ibiza’s Amante Beach Club is all about beauty – from its clifftop situation through to its clientele. And, we discover when we finally make it to our table, that theme persists when it comes to the modern Mediterranean menu.
Italian food is big in Ibiza, and Amante’s seasonally-changing menu fuses that cuisine with contemporary Spanish fare.
Pre-starter, LB and I amuse our bouches with shots of
Andalucian gazpacho – a simple showcase of the bright,
beautiful flavour of locally-grown tomatoes.
Flawless service is refreshingly unobtrusive – no unnecessary frills and flourishes; just what you need, when you need it
(often delivered before you know you do). Of course, both the guys an girls who work here are utterly gorgeous, but more
importantly, they’re also friendly and exceptionally on the ball.
‘Starters proper’ further our quest to exceed our five-a-day: a tasty terrine of buttery avocado, earthy beetroot and sweet-tart marinated turnip with a punchy Peruvian yellow pepper
dressing; and a crunchy, refreshing salad of shaved fennel and tomatoes in which young goats’ cheese is used as a sort of
dressing, cloaking the vegetables and adding creamy tang to the whole shebang.
Neither of us can stay veggie for more than a single course, so next we tuck into pork belly with cracking crackling whose
division is worth a small affectionate fight. Served with pickled pink onions and sweet potato puree, it’s a tasty plateful that’ll greatly please the sweet of tooth.
handsome arrangement of charred tentacles atop a rectangle of local potato mash flavoured with sobrassada (a soft, spicy sausage that’s omnipresent across Ibiza – and with good
reason), all scattered with the samphire-like salicornia that grows wild all over the island.
Amante’s unhurried pace affords much-welcome time to revel in your surroundings. Peering down at the stone heart that a fellow happy, sappy couple have clearly constructed on the beach beneath us, we both come over all drunk in love.
But on this occasion, the only question we’re asking one
another is what to have for dessert. The headline component in my chocolate cream is almost obscured by a colourful riot of bells and whistles including (but not limited to) raspberrries, dehydrated pistachio sponge, chocolate stars, and vibrant
purple petals.
We want to stay but we don’t want to outstay our welcome. For now, Amante’s evening vibe must remain a mystery to us. But not for long – we’re infatuated with this place, and suspect it won’t be long before it blossoms into full blown love.
Make it happen
Where: Cala Sol d’en Serra, Calle Afueras, s/n, 07849 Cala
Llonga, Islas Baleares, Spain
Find out more: To visit the website, click here
Amuse Bouche 