Not far off the western tip of Ibiza is Cala Moli, a serene bay that greets the Mediterranean island’s golden sunsets each evening. This year, its latest resident is El Silencio Ibiza (from the iconic Parisian brand Silencio) – a restaurant, cocktail bar and pool that has revitalised this beach that was made prolific in the 70s.
The restaurant and pool area of El Silencio looks like it has just dropped out of the pages of Condé Nast Traveller, and in partnership with ToShare (a restaurant concept by French chef Jean Imbert, Pharrell Williams) – it’s no surprise that this new opening has been lauded as one of the island’s coolest new hangouts.
With a desire to return the original building to its 1970s roots (whilst in keeping with its natural setting), the beach house has been reshaped using traditional and local materials by Mallorca-based architecture studio Moredesign. This includes bohemian textures woven with warm woods and sandy spaces, dappled with eclectic bold designs and colours.
This clever balance of natural with contemporary has drawn in a cool crowd of both locals and visitors ‘in the know’ in its first year of infancy. Walking through the relaxed pool areas and past the spacious day beds, discover El Silencio’s striking and somewhat random immersive large-scale art installation by internationally acclaimed Ibiza based artist, Miranda Makaroff. This keeps guests on their toes as to what is to come and taps into the unpredictable cultural programme that runs throughout the season.
Chef Jean Imbert brings with him the success of his St Tropez restaurant, adapting it to an Ibizan audience with fresh, high-quality dishes made lovingly with locally sourced ingredients. Once settled on your table overlooking the ocean, start with warm toasted focaccia with herbs before picking a selection of dishes to share. Iberian ham is laid out generously on a large plate, served with crispy pita bread and the classic tomato marmalade. Meanwhile choose from a vibrant beetroot hummus to add a pop of colour and an unmissable fresh tomato, strawberry, cucumber and feta cheese salad.
Moving onto larger dishes, (to share or not to) and these include beef entrecote with chimichurri and baby new potatoes or an Iberian boneless pork flank with sweet potato and chorizo. A highlight from the El Silencio’s fish offering is the tuna steak: lightly seared and served with Italian green peppers, grapefruit and romesco sauce (a Spanish tomato-based sauce).
Meanwhile, turning our attention to the drinks, and cocktails have been curated by Madrid-based bartender Diego Cabrera – the owner of Salmon Guru which was included in the World’s 50 Best Bars. His featured concoctions include a mezcal based ‘Honey Moon’ cocktail or the ‘Guaracha’ which combines raspberry vodka, lemon and sugar with hibiscus tonic.
Cala Moli’s ‘storied sands’, as they’re described, are steeped in local mythology. It is these local myths that will inspire the restaurant moving forward for its ongoing cultural programme of events from talks to exclusive performances and other events. I recommend you book yourself a day bed by the pool for sundowners before strolling across to the beach restaurant to watch the sun drop below the horizon.
Factbox
Address: Av de Cala Moli, 30, 07830 Sant Josep de Sa Talia, Illes Balears
Phone: +34 676 003 059
Email: reservations@elsilencioibiza.com
Website: elsilencioibiza.com
