Credit: Juan y Andrea
Juan y Andrea is one of the most celebrated restaurants on the island. It is proclaimed as a place to see and be seen. Located in the fabulous beach of Illetes, a finger of sand stretching north of the island, you can come by land or sea. If you arrive by boat, Juan y Andrea have a zodiac service to bring you to the seafood haven. You can sit on the wooden terrace or directly on the sand, under the white billowy canvas parasols.
The hippest of restaurants started over thirty years ago with a love story. That of Juan and Andrea, you guessed right. Sailor Juan Boned fell in love with Andrea and in order to be together, they accepted a job in a deserted island. They watched over the uninhabited island of s’Espalmador. Then it occured to them that they could combine it with a small bar serving what Juan fished and Andrea prepared. Over time, the access to Illetes improved, Formentera became a trendy spot and Juan y Andrea turned into one of the hottest places of the Balearic, where the waiters wear pristine white and walk barefoot on the sand. Now the place is run by the couple’s three sons: Juanjo, Andrés and Jorge.
The seafood is pretty awesome… Kathryn and I tried the delicate prawn carpaccio, the creamy burrata salad, a fish plate with Formentera shrimp, local fish called Raons and baby cuttlefish. Truly delicious, a must. Then we had the clams a la marinera. The sauce was lovely. As main, we had a seafood paella with lobster which was heavenly. We finished with a dessert plate with lemon cheesecake, brownie, tiramisu and Formentera figs and cherries. I won’t forget that cheesecake any time soon.
Expect a steep bill, great seafood and a busy atmosphere, packed with celebs and socialities. Among dozens of others, Elle Mc Pherson, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton and Beyonce have been spotted having lunch.
Anita
Juan y Andrea, Playa de Illetes, Formentera
