In December we were invited by Gerhard Schwaiger, one of the most illustrious names on the international culinary scene to review his infamous rooftop restaurant in Palma de Mallorca, Schwaiger Xino’s.

Being awarded two Michelin Stars for his relentless creativity and ideas during a 19-year career, Gerhard now offers diners tantalizing new versions of dishes with a completely new approach.

After leaving the elevator that took us to the rooftop, the restaurant looked inviting with its intimate industrial and chic décor.

On entering the restaurant we were asked to show our Covid certificate and to disinfect our hands – ensuring safety for all diners – before being led to our table.

The modern interior in shades of dark grey and warm wood with ambient lighting was very inviting and all tables had a little side table attached, on which to put our purse and phones on – a lovely touch keeping the table settings clean and in tune with the industrial design and the warm ambiance of the restaurant.

At our table we are greeted by Cristina Pérez Paíno, ‘The Boss’, who came to the island at the behest of chef Schwaiger to train alongside the chef himself over an eight-year period before traveling to Germany to further hone her skills in the renowned two-Michelin star Restaurant Tantris. It was there that she polished her expertise before returning to Mallorca entering the hotel trade as a sommelier and maître d’.

After sailing the South Seas aboard a luxury yacht as Chief Steward, where she was at the service of the most discerning and demanding customers 24 hours per day, she returned to her original starting point alongside chef Schwaiger to jointly initiate the new project known as Schwaiger Xino’s.

And it shows….her professionalism and experience and the attention to the littlest details of her sublime team really made us feel very special. They took time to welcome and inform us about the five-course degustation menu we were about to enjoy and the wines they would be pairing with every dish in a way that created an expectation as to what we are about to taste.

The five-course degustation menu we were invited to revel in was nothing less than culinary food porn.

Our first course was marinated tuna with chives, white onion, green olives, and trout caviar paired with a magnificent I.G.P.3 Riberas – Las Fincas 2020 by Bodegas Chivite. Followed by delicious scallops with yellow tomato, parsley ravioli, and lemon sauce paired with D.O. Somontano – Enate 234 2020 by Bodega Alto Aragón.

The third course offered us a succulent veal Sirloin and cheek with swede, mushrooms, and white pepper sauce, this was paired with a D.O. Ca. Rioja – Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2016 by Bodegas Herederos Marqués de Riscal.

And to end this wonderful degustation menu we were offered La Peral cheese marinated with cider and fig mustard, served with walnut bread and paired with D.O. Jerez-Xéréz-Sherry – Cream by Fernando de Castilla, and a magnificently made chocolate mousse with tangerines and white chocolate cream and this delicious dessert was paired with D.O. Málaga – Molino Real “Mountain Wine” 2014 by Vinos Telmo Rodríguez.

Last but not least we would like to give praise to Stefan Brunner. Despite being only 26 years old, Stefan has plenty of experience in the kitchens of the most famous restaurants of Austria, England and Mallorca. Stefan’s rich, modern brand of traditional cooking is patent in every one of his creations, along with the influence of his native Austria. After two years of working alongside Cristina and Gerhard in the legendary restaurant Tristán, Stefan forms part of the new Project Schwaiger Xino’s and contributes his love of cooking, offering dishes full of Mediterranean spirit.

Schwaiger Xino’s has it all – dishes that are a feast for the eye and a high-end indulgence for the palate, served by an excellent team that is passionate and professional in a minimalist and modern environment, making a dining experience at Schwaiger Xino’s exquisite.

We already look forward to our next visit in Summer, to enjoy the wonderful roof-top terrace and their signature dish – Panamera with 5 senses:

A broth made with the famous Wagyu Beef,  Sirloin, and Black Truffle from Spain.

Celery Ravioli, Enoki Mushrooms, tender peas, puff pastry stuffed with Jabugo Ham, chives, and quail egg in gold bread. This broth is pure power and it’s the engine of the dish, made with the most luxurious ingredients in the world.

A dish inspired by the new Porsche Panamera and by Ferdinand Porsche’s quote:

“ We build cars that nobody needs, but everybody wants to have”.

And it defines Schwaiger Xino’s perfectly: you don’t necessarily need to have dinner at Schwaiger Xino’s, but everybody certainly needs to have one!

Written by Eva Lopez and Patrick Van Tolhuyzen for Luxuria Lifestyle Balearic Islands & Spain

A: Cami de la Vileta, 39, 2a planta, 07011 Palma
T: +34 971 66 68 19
E: Reservations
W: Schwaiger

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