Spain / Balearic
Ham it Up

Read no further if you're kosher. But if you eat ham & pork, you're in for a real specialty on the Balearic Islands. Here are three great restaurants to ham it up while you're there: Having a sandwich, called a bocadillo, at the Costa Bar (Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza) is not really considered a meal. It's more like a mid or late-day snack to the locals. The bar is overhung with various hams, like the delicious acorn one we tried. The restaurant owner is happy to answer your questions about what to order. But you'll need some Spanish to converse. Where we usually recommend eating outdoors, take a table inside this large bar/restaurant to see the artwork. It's a gallery for contemporary Ibizan artists. Santa Gertrudis is the most artsy of the little towns on the island. There are several galleries, but the Costa Bar has a great display, in a great old building. In the sprawling port area of Ibiza Town, where ferries & commercial fishing boats are docked, the La Marina Restaurant has all the fresh fish you could want. And that's what we wanted til' we sauntered inside and saw the ham display. Hung over the bar area. In different sizes & colorations, with fancy paper labels affixed to each. The simple plate of thinly sliced Iberian ham was a very expensive $24 USD. But truly different from any back home. A little like prosciutto, but more flavorful. Add some olives, local cheese & a cold beer. Ham heaven! Finally, try some lechona at Restaurant Juame in Deia, Mallorca. Suckling pig, that is. Jaume's has a wonderful terrace overlooking the picture-perfect mountains & valleys of this famous town. A wonderful setting to eat a true Mallorcan specialty. Lechona has a very crisp outside & a very moist inside. Nothing like the dry, Sunday pork roast back home. The words succulent & flavorful describe it best. An unforgettable meal.