Es Caló — Restaurant in Formentera

We have been visiting Es Calo for the past 8 years and it's one of our favorite place on the island, the views are out of this world. It's not cheap...but this is Formentera. Delicious carabiñeros meloso rice, recommended by the waiter. Very tasty. The tarta de queso con higos is also a highlight, absolutely delicious.

I do feel though that they were a bit pushy when it came to the wine this time. We were set on a bottle of white, the sommelier then came and said " I have recommendations that are better...60 euros maximum " which was fine. Brought a bottle, opened it and made us try it and as we said " yes it's good", he said of it's a little bit more btw. Turns out the bottle was 80 euros. Not the end of the world but we were going to spend 45 euros max and ended up paying double. We can afford it and the wine was good, I just don't like being pushed into spending more when the wine we picked first was absolutely fine, it felt a bit sneaky. Aside from that, this is a place we will continue to...

Best lunch in our trip! We went around 11am to ask for a table for 2pm. Waiter told us they were fully booked but to be back around 2:30 and he’d get us in when any table’s last turn was over. While we waited we were allowed to use their pool and showers, which was great after spending the morning at the beach.

We ordered just a couple of starters since we were advised the bogavante con patatas y huevos were big portions (and they were!). The ensalada payesa and the ceviche were delicious and not too filling, and the bogavante was spectacular. We were 4 and ordered bogavante for 2 (~1.4kg). For dessert we shared a cheesecake (curado) which was really good, stronger than the usual baked cheesecake.

Last but not least the service was impeccable. From the first late attempt to make a reservation, through the waiting time and service the personnel was really kind...

The location is beautiful, the dining area is on a deck overlooking the sea. The food was good, simple fresh fish dishes. We had grilled red prawns and crayfish to start and then treated ourselves to the lobster paella, as we’d never had that before. We live in Spain, and to be honest the food was average. The service however was disappointing, every dish or serving of wine was done by a different member of staff, only one of whom said hello, in fact they looked startled when we did say hello, maybe that’s an indication of the kind of customers they normally get or it was end of season fatigue. But a lack of engagement from the staff affects the customer experience. It was especially disappointing that when leaving none of the staff could make eye contact, say thank you or goodbye after spending €350 on dinner for two people....