La Bodega del Jazzbah, signature tapas with a Mediterranean soul

Bep Al·lès/Ciutadella - In the port of Ciutadella, La Bodega del Jazzbah is one of those places that invite you to understand gastronomy as a shared experience. Its concept revolves around signature tapas and small plates designed to be placed at the centre of the table, tasted, discussed and enjoyed with a sense of discovery. Informal in style, yet far more carefully crafted than that label might suggest, its cuisine uses the product itself as a guiding thread, with a clear intention to play with textures, contrasts and Mediterranean flavours.

During our visit, we chose to explore a selection of different dishes. We began with a prawn ensaladilla, creamy and well balanced, in which the smoothness of the base respects and complements the flavour of the shellfish. A familiar tapa, skilfully executed, that stimulates the appetite without overwhelming the palate.

One of the dishes with the greatest personality is the Menorcan white prawn tartare served on bone marrow. The delicacy of the prawn, with its slightly sweet and marine character, contrasts with the deep richness of the marrow. The result is intense, almost voluptuous: a combination of sea and land that works precisely because of the contrast between the freshness of the shellfish and the richness of the base.

The tempura oyster is another dish worthy of attention. The frying creates a light, crisp outer layer, while the inside retains all its softness and salinity. This combination of texture, iodine and delicacy inevitably reminded us of battered sea anemones, that quintessentially Mediterranean bite in which a crisp exterior gives way to an intensely marine and delicately creamy centre.

The croquettes, made with cocido and prawn, confirm that the classics can also have a voice of their own. They are entirely homemade, with a crisp coating and a creamy interior, but above all, with flavour. The cocido croquettes evoke the memory of traditional home cooking and comforting spoon dishes, while the prawn croquettes reconnect the menu with the sea.

One of the great surprises of the dinner, however, was the squid carbonada. A dish that is intriguing from its very name and even more surprising on the palate. The squid, accompanied by fine strips of Iberian ham, together with the egg yolk mixed in front of the diner before tasting, becomes the star of an intense, contemporary and nuanced preparation, with a play of textures and flavours that makes you want to return for another forkful. It is one of those dishes that perfectly sums up the spirit of the establishment: a familiar product seen from a different perspective.

To finish, we shared a homemade cheesecake, creamy and indulgent without being excessive, a perfect sweet counterpoint after a meal dominated by the sea and savoury preparations.

For the wine, we chose a white made from Garnacha Blanca, a variety that provided freshness, volume and enough structure to accompany both the prawns and oyster as well as the richer dishes.

La Bodega del Jazzbah is, ultimately, a very good choice for those who enjoy eating without rushing, sharing and discovering. A cuisine with Mediterranean spirit, technique and creativity, while retaining the informality that turns dinner into a relaxed and enjoyable experience by the sea in Ciutadella.