Described by some locals as ‘the Notting Hill’ of Ibiza, with its bustling square, eclectic fashion, home decor and deli shops, relaxed cafés and bars, Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera makes for a charming excursion inland. And as those in the know will tell you, the picturesque village is also considered a veritable gourmet hotspot!
Just a few steps away from the emblematic yellow church at the heart of the village lies one of its most delectable culinary gems: the atmospheric Finca La Plaza. Shrouded by lush green foliage and the ancient, white-washed walls of a traditional Ibicencan finca, a tranquil oasis perfect for a romantic dinner or a fabulous meal with your nearest and dearest awaits.
In the expert hands of the renowned Island Hospitality Group, Finca La Plaza strikes a fine balance between honouring the history of what is believed to be the oldest building of the settlement and the fresh, seasonal local produce combined with modern elements that elevate the dining experience to another level.
Upon entering through the inconspicuous garden door, taking a seat underneath the soft glow of string lights and framed by palm trees, cacti and other Mediterranean flora feels nothing short of enchanting.
Inside the centuries-old finca, original details such exposed stone walls, Sabina wood beams and the fireplace have been lovingly maintained.
It is also where you will find Finca La Plaza’s well-stocked ‘wine cellar’, a sleek glass and steel structure that holds a carefully curated selection of fine grapes such as a 1986 Castillo de Ygay Rioja, Petrus Pomerol Merlot from 2006 and 2014, a modern, natural Rosé from Barcelona, and oodles of divine sparkling wines from the Champagne region.
The food menu is a veritable smorgasbord of colours, textures and flavours, ranging from the light and healthy to the utterly indulgent.
An elegant dance between interpretations of local classics such as the Grilled Octopus with Ibicencan Potatoes or warm Fig Bread with Jamòn Iberico as well as international favourites such as the classic Beef Wellington, Wagyu Ribeye and Black Truffle Rigatoni will please even the most discerning of palates.
Joining a relaxed dinner with friends on a balmy summer’s eve in late June, we felt like stepping into a magical garden world’s away from the velocity of the impending high season. Surrounded by the lush greenery in the fading afterglow of the sunset, we sipped on a crisp glass of Born Rosé, a complex but delicious combination of red fruit flavours and floral notes with a refreshing hint of spice.
Firm believers of putting our faith into our hosts’ expert hands, we let the Finca La Plaza team choose a selection of favourites to share. With a loaf of crunchy, warm Rustic Bread with an utterly addictive, zesty dip made from Datterino Tomatoes, lemon and basil, we were off to a very promising start.
We also savoured the delicate Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio with mango caviar and a spicy sauce – an instant favourite of the whole table. A Spanish favourite, we couldn’t resist a cheeky round of flavoursome croquettes, while a plate of crunchy Asparagus, Bimi and Broccoli drizzled in an aromatic orange sweet and sour dressing provided a healthy dose of greens.
With the first course already a swoon-worthy affair, we couldn’t wait for the main courses. Something to write home about, the charcoal-grilled sea bass from the “Finca Specials” section of the menu was simply spectacular. While the fish was silky-soft in texture, the accompanying salsa of orange zest with capers and kalamata olives, shallots and sherry vinegar butter wowed with the flavours of the Mediterranean summer – and we couldn’t resist scooping up every last morsel.
Meanwhile, the Wagyu Rib-Eye with asparagus and Sweet Soy Vinaigrette was cooked to perfection to let the high quality meat do all the talking. Accompanied by the chunkiest, fluffiest chips we ever did see, and crunchy asparagus, every single craving of the night was more than satisfied.
Every single craving… except for dessert! Coming highly, highly recommended, the sweet surprise at the end of the meal was a huge tiramisu like we have never seen before! We won’t give too much away, you just have to go and try it for yourself!
As a magical night drew to a close, we reluctantly left our beautiful garden hideaway – knowing that Finca La Plaza has earned a firm place amongst our island favourites…
For further information and to book visit www.fincalaplaza.com or follow on Instagram @fincalaplaza.
