Figueret Restaurant

Figueret stands on the Artà–Port d'Alcúdia road, where it runs through Playa de Muro on the Bay of Alcúdia. The house describes its own kitchen as traditional Mallorcan, widened by a broad choice of fish and meat prepared in Mediterranean style. The town's tourism site counts it among the most traditional restaurants in the area, with meat, grilled fish, seafood and paella. The name is no marketing idea but a family inheritance. “Figueret” is the family's old malnom — the traditional Mallorcan nickname under which a household stays known on the island across generations. Jaume and Maria founded the house, beginning again in a small café in Puerto de Alcúdia after many years already in the restaurant business. The name, the family writes, had to be personal rather than generic; what they wanted to be recognised for was humility and good service. The restaurant sees itself as the direct evolution of the Figueret Cafeteria: the same mission, the same values, with only the emphasis shifted — from breakfasts towards lunches and dinners. You will find the family's signature elsewhere too: Petit Figueret in Can Picafort is the burger restaurant of the younger members. Rice and paella at Figueret Rice sits at the centre of the menu, and in unusual breadth. The “Figueret” paella or fideuá mixes meat and seafood and reaches the table without bones or shells, which makes for a noticeably easier evening. The same idea lies behind the “Ciega”, the blind version, which lives entirely on seafood and is likewise served without shells. Alongside them stand the “Negra” with cuttlefish, prawns, mussels and squid ink, the mixed version, the seafood paella, a lobster paella and a vegetable paella. Fish rice and lobster rice come on top of that. Everything can be had either as a paella or as a fideuá, with fine noodles in place of rice. Grilled platters and the fish of the day The second focus comes off the grill and is built for several people. There is a grilled seafood platter with lobster, langoustines, prawns, scallops, mussels, clams and razor clams; a combined platter of seafood and fish with a garnish; and finally “the Figueret platter” with razor clams, prawns, baby squid, squid, mussels, clams and croquettes. Then there is the fish of the day, which the menu deliberately leaves open: rooster fish, turbot or another fish from here, depending on what comes in. Mallorcan classics, vegetables and desserts Beside the rice, the Mallorcan claim shows most clearly in a set of house dishes. The salted cod Mallorcan style arrives with vegetables, garlic, tomato, pine nuts and raisins — a combination with a long history on the island. The second cod dish is roasted, with aioli, honey and sobrasada. Add the homemade “Figueret” croquettes, the Figueret salad, the Figueret burger and fried vegetables Mallorcan style. Eating vegetarian here takes no special request: vegetable paella, grilled vegetables, courgettes stuffed with vegetables and those same fried vegetables sit on the regular menu. The desserts run on two tracks as well: beside crema catalana, chocolate coulant with vanilla ice cream, Oreo mousse and cheesecake stand a biscuit of dried fig and chocolate, a pudding made of ensaïmada and a gató with almond ice cream. Larger groups, booking and arriving From ten people upwards the house works with group menus of its own. The sequence is always the same: a shared opening course, then the choice between a Black Angus entrecôte and fresh grilled sole with sautéed vegetables and boiled patató, and an assortment of homemade desserts to finish. Wine, water and coffee are included — a white Verdejo from D.O. Rueda and a red Crianza from D.O.Ca. Rioja. Bread, olives and alioli belong to every menu. The headcount and the main course have to be settled in advance, and everyone at the table takes the same menu. A table should be booked; the house takes reservations through an online system of its own. The dining room has been extensively refurbished with the declared aim of a warm and comfortable setting, and the main salon is the heart of the place. And because Figueret sits right on the main road, there is easy parking in front of the house.