Playa d’en Bossa, 1.30 pm. It was one of those heady summer days when even parking is an ordeal. Just as well for Beachouse's slick valet service, which is a welcoming Godsend.
We crossed the wooden gangway to the cool lobby, where the smiling receptionists greeted us and showed us our beachside table on the long, shaded terrace.
The boho decor and furnishings at Beachouse are well-integrated, and even the staff, dressed in their rustic livery, complement the ambience.
The Provence Breeze, sweet, sour and herbaceous - a Tanqueray 00 mocktail, perfect for the day.
Time to sit back and take in our surroundings. The turquoise waves glittering beyond the sun beds. The shimmering sands. The infinite blue of the sky over Ibiza.
As for our fellow diners: contented couples, groups of friends, and families on holiday, all chatting and smiling, all living the moment, Beachouse style.
The mellow soundtrack features downbeat ethno-tribal tunes ideal for a leisurely lunch. The ambience is both laid-back and buzzing.
To the rear, there’s a play area run by supervisors, replete with a bevvy of beaming tots. On the way, a snazzy boutique offering a treasure trove of artisanal beachwear for your inner goddess.
Good vibes guaranteed for all.
To call the service attentive is an understatement. Whenever a colleague left the table, within seconds, our waitress had swooped in to refold and replace their napkin deftly and top up all of the glasses.
We’d barely downed our drinks when the starters appeared.
Iberico tomato, Mediterranean remoulade and charcoal-roasted agria potatoes. Simple, unassuming and irresistible.
These silky slivers of bluefin tuna belly carpaccio in shallot vinagrette went so fast that one of our team missed out. Ouch! Definitely a case of “let the produce speak for itself”.
The eternal dilemma faced us - which wine to choose? Enter the expert sommelier who suggested a bottle of Impromptu Rosado, a Spanish Pinot Noir. Crisp and dry, it was the perfect accompaniment for lunch by the beach.
Spanish tortilla with black truffle
The Spanish national dish (no hard feelings, paella) reimagined for sophisticates.
Spinach and pine nut croquettes with harissa sauce. A savoury explosion: when cut open, these crisp bombshells oozed their thick, piquant contents over the plate. Cue gasps of approval.
Red prawn ‘meloso’ rice
It’s not called meloso (honey-like) for nothing! Expertly cooked rice in a sofrito-infused base, crowned with locally caught red prawns, aptly presented in a homely earthenware dish.
Chocolate bar with hazelnut praline, cookie crunch and cocoa financier. An ingot of rich, dark chocolate with a super smooth praline filling, crunchy nibs of cookie and gold flakes. Like winning the lottery!
The pièce de résistance caught us unprepared. Borne on an elegant coupé, the solid cube of pistachio ice cream evoked squeals of delight. Our waiter proceeded to pour a dense chocolate coulis over it, creating an exquisite marbled effect. Yet another masterclass in flavour and form.
Being one of Ibiza’s premium dining experiences, at Beachouse you can expect to pay a corresponding price. Nevertheless, we are very sure you won’t be disappointed for that occasional splurge you’ll remember for years.
Bon appétit!
And don’t forget to reserve in advance - seaside supping this good sells out fast.
