Restaurant Sa Vinya — Restaurant in Deià

A 2016 paper published by psychologists at the University of Chicago explored the relationship between attractiveness and prosocial bias. They concluded that pretty privilege is, scientifically, real.

But they could have saved their years of research with a single visit to Restaurant Sa Vinya. Set in the heart of Deia – one of Mallorca’s most picturesque villages – Sa Vinya boasts an unrivalled view of the soaring mountains that it looks up into. Soft clouds crown the distant peaks as birds of prey gaze down on you.

Alas, the view is the only mouthwatering thing about this restaurant. This is a retirement home for classic Spanish dishes. Here, they come - not to die - but to wither away slowly. Served up every night, each time weaker and more tasteless than before. Until they become faded, impotent versions of the iconic dishes they once were.

As I picked broccoli and peas out of my seafood paella, I mused on how such disappointing food could have got the restaurant a 4.2* rating. And then it dawned on me: like Maestripieri, Henry, and Nickels before me, I realised that what I was seeing with my eyes could affect what I was sensing with my tongue. For countless others, pretty privilege had extended all the way to their tongue. Fooling them into believing that the food was delicious, rather than merely adequately nutritious.

But I am no fool. I’ve done the reading. And so I give Sa Vinya a 3: not...

The place was almost dead empty @8;00 pm and likely that should have been a warning. Staff were pleasant if a bit distant. The Berenjena Al horno order fell flat as they returned after 10 minutes to say they were out. The Pasta pesto came out of the kitchen first and arrived cold with over cooked shrimp and barely an asparagus to be found but copious quantities of over cooked pasta with a gluey granular parmesan coating. Paella looked good but was bland and needed help mitigated slightly by adding a weak chili oil that was proffered. The fried seabass was done properly (the only dish) not over cooked, crispy skin and tasty if a bit oily. The Spanish omelette was okay but not great, Tomato onion salad was good but quite ordinary. Baguette was fresh, pillowy soft but very commercial north american style not artisanal. Nice balsamic vinegar was sadly doled out by the thimble full. Olives were plain all one style. Truly one can get better Spanish olives at restaurants in every country traveled. Surrounding restaurants were all bustling with clientele and staff with delicious aromas emanating.

Give this...

We called in advance to book a table. The woman on the phone told us we could come within 5 minutes or at 21PM (about 2 hours later than actual time). We couldnt make it in 5 min So we said 9 was ok, even tho we where quite hungry.

When we arrived there we were suprised to find plenty of Empty tables inside and outside; literally there was No point in telling us we could only come at 9.

Ok then we order the food; All my fiance’s food comes So fast, like 1 min after our drinks. So we wait for my food to arrive. Long story short, my fiance finished All here food way before my food came. Its No fun eating out together yet not eating at the same time.

Then the food itself was quite average and the pasta actually quite bland.

I dont know if the staff had an off-night or what, But we came here Because of the good reviews and ratings But we sure came away...