Maysi, the emblematic hotel and restaurant in Formentera renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine and iconic paellas, is expanding to the city of Barcelona. The official inauguration will take place this Friday, with an event reserved for friends and local businessmen, while the opening to the public will be the following Saturday.
Pepe Serra, owner and chef of Maysi, will offer his future diners a true delight: “They will be able to enjoy the classic rice dishes, lobster and lobster fried with garlic, as well as typical dishes such as peasant salad with dried fish, fried octopus, sofrito payés or bullit de peix, some available to order”, he says in dialogue with La Voz de Ibiza. “This Friday we will do the inauguration, a special event for clients from Formentera, friends and businessmen from Barcelona who will come in for a drink and a tasting of four dishes,” says the renowned chef.
A place in the heart of Barcelona with the essence of Formentera
The restaurant has an unbeatable location, on Carrer d’Aribau 159, right in the center of the city, with capacity for approximately 70 people. “The idea came up because many of our customers who come to Formentera from Barcelona, even Madrid, told us that they don’t eat good rice dishes there, so I got down to work and here I am,” he says. “On the other hand, we are people of the sea, and Barcelona has the sea, it is better communicated. Since I’m going to have to go back and forth, I decided to choose this place,” he adds. The restaurant will have the essence of Formentera, both in flavors and ambience. “We have decorated the place with photographs, paintings and typical elements of the island, such as fig trees and peasant women. And as for the food, we will have the classic dishes we make on the island,” says Pepe. In addition, the public will be able to enjoy a culinary show, since part of the kitchen is glazed so that they can observe how the rice dishes are prepared.
The secret of a good paella, experience
Pepe responds naturally when asked what the secret of his paellas is. ” If you make them with love and you make a lot of them, in the end they turn out well,” he says with a laugh. And then he finishes off: “The secret is experience and that’s it”. “The expectation is very great, many people pass by the restaurant asking when we open, they want to try, but we have not started with reservations, we will go little by little. We are waiting for everyone with open arms,” concludes the chef who has been recognized as one of the 50 best rice cooks in Spain in 2023. Maysi restaurant in Formentera has been offering its Mediterranean cuisine since 1973. Among its most emblematic creations are the rice dishes with Ibizan crayfish and the surprising rice with cutlet, two dishes that have conquered the most demanding palates.
