At the foot of W Ibiza’s shoreline is its breezy beachfront restaurant Chiringuito Blue which sits on the southern end of Ibiza’s Santa Eulalia bay. Instead of taking the usual Mediterranean approach with their cuisine (as many of the island’s other restaurants follow), instead, here at Chiringuito Blue, head chef Haim Cohen from Tel Aviv plates up a myriad of eastern flavours.
Chiringuito Blue’s menu veers away from an over-familiar gastronomic experience. Chef Cohen does this by combining his love of local Mediterranean produce to create dishes with Eastern Mediterranean influences. Highlighting a rich legacy of Israeli flavours with influences from Greece, Turkey and Italy, his pure and honest food introduces a diverse cross section of culinary cultures as one.
Within the open dining space that overlooks the beach, new dishes which made an appearance this year include soft shell crab with salsa verde and a homemade zhug mayonnaise, charcoal cherry tomatoes, pesto and stracciatella cheese or yellowtail shawarma with roasted peppers, onions and lentils.
Meanwhile, staple dishes on Cohen’s menu include warm chickpeas with tahini, grated tomato and turmeric alongside the restaurant’s popular shakshuka made with eggs slow-cooked in a tomato stew served with pita bread and tahini. Whilst inspired a little more by its local island surroundings is the soft Iberican Joselito Ham croquettes.
At Chiringuito Blue they believe in the importance of food that is both good for the soul and planet with a philosophy that centres on sustainability with an emphasis on organic produce from across the island. Many dishes are inspired by the sun which is apparent with the prominent use of sun-kissed fruit and vegetables including the Ibizan lemons which come with the succulent charcoal-grilled free-range chicken with sage. Whilst inspired by Italy is Mezzi paccheri pasta with calamari and Sicilian cherry tomatoes.
Part Israeli based architectural studio Baranowitz + Kronenberg is responsible for the design of Chiringuito Blue that echoes its coastal setting with a casual but detailed design. Introducing further Eastern European influences that complement the overall theme of the menu, they have created a calming blend of blues and whites against sand and natural wood for a laid-back dining space ideal for long laissez-faire lunches.
Following lunch at Chiringuito Blue, step back into W Ibiza – which since opening a few years ago has marked itself as Santa Eulalia’s coolest hotel, bringing with it to the island an internationally recognised reputation. Passing back through the slick pool area, lined with large day beds and palms, jump in the lift up to Glow Bar: the hotel’s adults only rooftop cocktail bar. Offering some of the finest views of Santa Eulalia bay and beyond, (and with frequent visits from some of the island’s most popular DJs) sip on large jugs of sangria topped with cava in the cerulean infinity pool or on one of the spacious sun loungers.
Factbox
Address: Carrer Ricardo Curtoys Gotarredona, 37, 07840 Santa Eulalia del Río, Illes Balears, Spain
Phone: +34 871 55 68 88
Website: marriott.com/hotels/travel/ibzwh-w-ibiza
