La Pérgola, Colonia de Sant Jordi

2019, Sep 2nd

Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the remarkable choice at this Colonia de Sant Jordi restaurant…

A family-run hotel in a Mallorcan resort may seem an unlikely place to find a restaurant with a cellar of 400 different Mallorcan and Spanish wines, but it’s the reason that Hotel El Coto in Colonia de Sant Jordi is known as ‘the wine hotel’.

To match this exceptional choice of wines – to suit all budgets and tastes – Hotel El Coto offers a gastronomic concept designed by the chef Gerhard Schwaiger, who used to be at the helm of the former two-Michelin-star Tristán restaurant in Puerto Portals, and now has his own restaurant in Palma.

 
Hotel El Coto is a smart four-star-superior hotel where the dining room and terrace overlook the attractive private garden, with its large swimming pool, palm and pine trees, and well-stocked herb garden.

 
At night, it’s all tastefully illuminated, becoming a romantic setting for a candlelit poolside dinner in La Pérgola – where men are requested to wear long trousers. Live music plays on Mondays and Thursdays.

 
You don’t have to be staying in the hotel to eat here: diners from outside are welcome, although you should book a table in advance for dinner.

 
The menu is à la carte, but you can also compose your own 5-course lunch or dinner from this, choosing dishes from the different menu sections (portions are slightly smaller than when taken as individual à la carte dishes). Vegetarian options include a potato and sweet potato soup with bergamot; mushroom risotto with mascarpone, and Sicilian pasta with red pesto.

 
Start with a visit to the salad buffet and then choose a soup, starter, main course and dessert – all for 40 €. It’s very good value for the quality of the ingredients, cooking, and presentation. For a special occasion and with advance notice, the chefs will prepare a tasting menu.

 
Dishes served in La Pérgola are full of flavour, expertly executed, and attractively presented. The service is professional but friendly and the knowledgeable José Navarrete – who owns this lovely hotel with his wife Myriam – is on hand with his impressive list of personally selected wines.

Photos: Jan Edwards

Prices correct at time of writing.