Haven in the old town

From the studiolum of Wang Wei towering above the old town of Palma like a lighthouse one can see the sea, and all around, like the cliffs of the seashore, the ragged contours of the town: the cathedral, the Santa Eulàlia, the San Francisco, the Santa Clara with its pre-Conquest minaret, the town hall, the medieval donjons, and behind them the first range of the Sierra Tramuntana.






The foot of the lighthouse is beaten upon by stormy waves on the sign of the tavern Las Olas – The Waves.


The waves came from the other end of the world, the feet of the Fuji mountain, just like the owners of the restaurants. John from Ireland and Evelyne from Cambodia/France had worked for several years on the same ship as a sailor and a cook respectively, and they wanted to remain close to the port also after telling goodbye to the ship. Their restaurant opened in the heart of the old town is only some hundred meters away from the haven of Palma.


Old and modern naval maps hang all around on the walls, as well as the photos of John from all the harbors of the world. The equipment, the heavy and simple furniture and tableware, the massive crystal glasses recall the traditions of those brave old world British cruisers.






And the kitchen those of the Far East. They offer two menus for lunch with Vietnamo-French plates and Spanish wines for only fifteen euros. A refined and genial kitchen like one encounters extremely rarely.




Since they opened a year ago all the government of Mallorca has regularly come here for lunch from the nearby Plaça de Cort. According to John who talks with delight and spirit to the guests, the good kitchen and the close-standing tables have definitely brought closer to each other the politicians of the opposing parties.


And in the evening they cook various combinations of Far Eastern plates from original and fresh materials which is a sine qua non of Chinese and related kitchens. The boarders at this time are the public of the talk shows of the opposite Literanta bookshop and café, including distinguished authors like Robert Graves Jr. or Julian Barnes. The elogium by the latter on the restaurant is also published on the outside menu.


I have not yet tried the evening kitchen, but I will certainly not miss it until I am here.

The last image is taken from the home page of Las Olas which has more information and opinions.