Aureliano, Jota & Francesco
At the foot of the Es Caló de S’Alga cove in Santa Eulalia stands a Mediterranean dream in the form of a hotel that pays homage to the Ibiza of the 1960s and 1970s and to the personalities who helped forge the island’s legendary reputation. The Mongibello Hotel, one of Concept Hotel Group’s most ambitious projects, faces its fourth season with confidence and five stars – one more in its collection – which promise new developments in terms of comfort, services and, of course, gastronomy.
For a hotel like Mongibello, an extra star is the equivalent of going one step further with each and every one of its cornerstones. Its team, led by the hotel manager, Ana Sobrino, and its F&B manager, Jota Moriano, has worked tirelessly to ensure that one of those cornerstones shines and is one of the most carefully developed aspects in recent seasons. We’re talking about its restaurant brand: Sorella. With Sicilian chef Francesco T. Leggio (who previously worked in the kitchens of restaurants such as Azurmendi or El Celler de Can Roca) at the helm, Sorella has managed to establish itself as one of the most interesting options among restaurants serving traditional Italian cuisine with an island twist. This season, Sorella is winning us over once again with its famous truffle carbonara – the chef’s own family recipe – and the fantastic tagliatelle with lobster, but it also features new additions such as the delicious whisky-glazed sirloin of beef, stone bass with potato and chicory or the pepper risotto, among the vegetarian options. Its fresh local produce makes this gastronomic brand an unmissable place to be in the north of the island, where its dreamy seaside setting, one of the most sought-after locations in the Siesta area, completes the experience.
Among the hottest new additions this season at Sorella (which will include, amongst many other specialities, its now-classic Affogato), is the commitment to a specialty coffee offering also available during breakfast hours; a constantly evolving menu that explores different origins and beans, backed by the appointment of a Head Barista who guarantees a service to satisfy even the most demanding coffee lovers.
In the pool area, the new Il Chioschetto introduces a dynamic, multi-functional concept that transforms the midday hours. This small epicentre of activity hosts everything from pop-ups and collaborations to more indulgent offerings such as oysters, caviar or a carefully curated selection of sparkling wines, still wines and cocktails. A meeting place where the spontaneous and the sophisticated coexist naturally.
The culinary offering is also evolving, emphasising a clear distinction between spaces: Sorella Ristorante presents a revamped menu, with a focus on new pasta dishes and local produce — such as rotja (red scorpionfish) or porc negre (Ibizan black pig) — reinforcing its link with the local environment and produce without losing its Italian essence. Meanwhile, Sorella Terrazza displays two distinct sides: by day, Italian-based cuisine with Mediterranean and international touches, featuring an irresistible truffle carbonara, and by night, a more relaxed version designed for sharing without rules, offering pizzas, burgers and light pasta dishes.
The experience is rounded off with an expanded wine list, incorporating new international labels, with a special focus on essential Italian wines and New World offerings, designed to perfectly complement every bite.
And for the true foodies, this season sees the return of Mongibello’s most eagerly awaited gastro event: Mestri Ai Fornelli. The four-hands dining collaboration between the hotel’s executive chef, Francesco T. Leggio, and a guest chef, arrives with three dates already confirmed and three prestigious names from the culinary world. The event kicks off on 6 June with chef Juan Quirós, chef at the Kyoshi Las Cortes restaurant in Madrid, who will showcase his expertise in Japanese cuisine, combining his techniques with those of Francesco in a unique, one-off menu for diners attending the event. On 16 June, Andrea Antonini, the haute cuisine chef from Rome’s Imàgo restaurant, arrives, and on 17 September, Teo Iannota returns following last summer’s success with his Italian-Galician fusion.
Furthermore, El Salón, the indoor lounge with soft lighting and velvet sofas, will be open every day during dinner hours with a menu designed for the evening.
Everything suggests that this summer, all we need to do is head to Sorella to savour Italy in all its splendour, right in the heart of Ibiza’s Dolce Vita.
