During our stay at Montesol Experimental, we were a stone’s throw from the ferries to Formentera, so one blissfully hot afternoon we enjoyed the open wind on the water and set sail. Ok, it was more like a massive barge with some seats on top, but the many yachts surrounding us, it felt rather glamorous.
I’d read about Can Carlitos in some trendy travel guide that I’d picked up in Paris and we decided we had to try it. There was a tasting menu! For lunch! On the beach!
When we rocked up and saw that the place looked like something out of a designers vacation guide (thanks trendy little book), I knew we were in the right place.
While the entire restaurant was open air, you could also choose to sit right on the beach.
Entering the restaurant was something out of my outdoor kitchen dreams.
Even a bowl of lemons to guide me that I was in the right place.
The place looked empty because it was… we arrived a few minutes late for our 13:00 reservation and it was clear seatings were done in specific time slots, because boy did we get the stink eye from the hostess then dodgy service for the entire meal. Arrive on time, people. Swiss efficiency was too far gone for us on this Balearic island.
Of course we ordered the tasting menu, complemented by loads of cava. For 68EUR this felt like absolute indulgence, but it still managed to be reasonable enough daytime splurge…while wearing a swim suit. Such a funny place.
The menu starts with a smattering of tapas, then a choice of paella to share, and finally desserts.
We started with an unidentifiable dip and olives, but not good olives, like the pickly jarred kind. An interesting start to a long meal ahead…
The pan con tomate topped with sobrassada and honey was much nicer and was definitely a stand out tapa for me.
It was then followed with a few croquettes and an elegant presentation of patatas bravas.
Spicy tuna is one of my all time favorite dishes about anywhere, but this one was, well… awful. Far too much sauce and situated on not-so-sticky sticky rice. Yikes. I took a bite. The gentleman continued to tuck in and found a bit of plastic which was concerning! We told the waitress who just kind of shrugged and decided it was a good time to delay refilling wine.
The eggplant dip with honey and parm wasn’t so bad and a welcome change from dodgy seafood.
We shared the Rice Del Senyoret Can Carlitos because I insisted we couldn’t eat the chicken one on the beach that the gentleman wanted. I’m not one for paella, but this was rather delicious. What a nice surprise.
We then moved to our lime gin and tonic palate cleanser which was as refreshing as it was darling. I insisted we learn how to make this for dinner parties.
For dessert, there was ice cream covered in a (somewhat stale) caramel popcorn and “ying yang cheesecake” which was essentially like a vanilla ice cream sandwich. The presentation was at least fun as neither of these desserts held up to humidity well.
While the food was OK, most of it didn’t blow my hair back, but when you look around at this gorgeous atmosphere, you know that you’ll be returning before you try a bite of anything. I’m looking forward to returning one day and ordering off of the regular menu.