Away from London, but still on-topic....
Today's plan - to visit the oldest glass blowing factory in Majorca - but clearly glass can not be viewed on an empty stomach. My Majorcan friend suggests I make a stop at S'Hostal D'Algaida, a cafe in Algaida, an easy stop on the way.
S'Hostal D'Algaida Algaida, Majorca, Spain
Algaida is located just off the highway between Palma and Manacor. S'Hostal D'Algaida can be found next to the first roundabout you come across after leaving the highway. Thankfully, it's a very pleasant, quiet roundabout.
Sisters, who could not be more than four and six years old, are practicing their Flamenco. The smaller one is "the man." The elder, "the woman." Miss Six is quite the task master. I love their passionate, high-spirited performance, but it does nothing to lessen the fact that I feel like a very lost tourist. I wonder if my kindergarden-level Catalan will translate into anything remotely intelligible. Then, one of the three sisters who run the place, comes to my table. I feel immediately at home. She is patience personified, as I stumble embarrassingly through my attempt at ordering. I brutally butcher her language. My efforts to speak Catalan sound like a linguistic massacre. It's badly spoken Italian, Spanish and French, all rolled into one homicidal mess. She smiles.
How was the coffee? Strong and thick, with beautiful crema. It's pleasure in a little cup.
Did they have soy? Who cares.
Would I go there again? Yes, and I would move in upstairs if the sisters would have me.
Should you go there? Aside from the great coffee. On offer, a delicious selection of Majorcan cuisine classics, including the best Croquetas I have ever eaten. These, made with fish and spinach, are crunchy outside, pillowy soft inside and perfectly seasoned. I don't care if I eat nothing else this year. Also on the menu, Tumbet - very finely sliced potatoes, eggplant and capsicum - all fried up and covered with a rich tomato sauce. Restorative.
Any other points to note? According to the sticker on the door, Michelin visited this year. You should too. The oldest glass blowing factory in Majorca is also worth a look.
