05/12/2017 “Eat where the locals eat” is not a bad maxim – especially if the locals in question are smartly dressed business people. Basic is not in the retail heart or the atmospheric old town of Palma de Mallorca, but located in an unremarkable side street not far from the Avenidas’ branch of El Corte Inglés.
There’s nothing unremarkable though about this restaurant, which has been pleasing diners since it opened in May 2009. Few city visitors or Mallorca residents are likely to walk along this street by chance, so Basic is a definite insider tip.
Before opening his own restaurant, Gerhard Berktold was head chef at Mallorca’s 5-star St Regis Mardavall and his high-level experience shows here. Basic’s concept is one of affordable gastronomy: international/Mediterranean cuisine made from fresh produce, and served in a relaxed contemporary setting – without fussy details.
We went for the ‘menú del día’ lunch (served every day except Sunday), which has to be one of the best bargains in town: 13,20€ (including VAT) for three courses, bread, and a drink (water, soft drink, glass of wine, or beer). Our first course was a choice of a generous portion of beef carpaccio with parmesan, or carrot cream soup with honey foam – both delicious. The three main courses on offer included a well-received vegetarian option of pasta with broccoli and truffle oil, chicken breast wrapped in puff pastry with a silky smooth flavourful celery purée, and perfectly cooked hake fillet on a bed of tomato-infused mashed potato. We finished with quark foam topping fresh fruits but, in the interests of research, also tried two other desserts.
If you don’t want three courses at lunchtime, you can opt to have just one course, with a drink, for a very reasonable price. Basic also offers an à la carte menu, and tasting menu (choice of three or five courses) – again, priced to please.
Service is efficient but friendly, and the modern décor is uncluttered but stylish – with some attractive contemporary art on the walls. As we left Basic after an excellent lunch, yet more smartly attired business people were pouring through the doors for their own. It’s easy to understand why.
Lunch served daily, except Sunday.
Dinner served Wednesday to Saturday.
We love… the excellent value for this quality of food.
