Vandal (Palma de Mallorca)

Cool exterior gives only a hint as to what to expect inside! Being regular visitors to this island & eating out possibly more than usual, I came across this new place via an ABC Mallorca magazine article & app, & we were not disappointed!! Situated off the main drag in Palma on the corner of two streets, you could easily walk past the cool facade of Vandal & not realise it was there. An even cooler interior & manager greeted us. Rusted iron walls, simple tables & chairs & an open kitchen (which I love) in this small trendy restaurant in the non tourist part of town full of Spanish locals. What a good start! Greeted by friendly staff we started to look through the menu. For the first time in a very long while I was completely stuck (in a good way), I could happily eat everything! The menu was unique, small and in layout with name of the dish, what implement to use (fork, spoon or finger), price & a recommended wine. Heaven! Starters of croquettes with curried mayo and a superb fresh seafood ceviche cone were the perfect openers for what was to come. Mains were a sort of a cross between tapas size and mains, so I could easily have had just one dish each, but am so glad we had 2 each! My wife had a seared salmon with a spiced white tomato sorbet (yes a main course and yes it worked!!), sweet chilli laungoustines on skewers were excellent, I had a sous vide cooked hake that was just melt in the mouth & a chargrilled steak with truffle was not far off one of the best dishes I’ve had on the island to date. Sealed off with a toffee, praline with ice cream and a chocolate mousse with lemon grass sauce made the perfect ending, along with the obligatory glass of Rioja of course! & all at a very reasonable price. Superb service from very friendly & informative staff, especially the girl who served us & guided us through the menu (thank you for being so patient) After a much needed chat and thank you / feedback (all good) with the chef & I think owner, it was time to reluctantly go. Thank you to the team at Vandal (open for just one year and no doubt in my mind it will be around for many more), we will be back again & soon!