Ibiza is bursting with some of the best places to go/party/see/experience etc on Earth, but put together all the glossy posters, flyers, brochures, and booklets that bombard every tourist who steps off the plane, and you´re left with an information overload that will send the weakest of them scurrying for the safety of their nearest poolside ´snack bar’ ……God help them.

Hence why Ibiza Scope Media will be bringing you the real insiders guide to the island and posting articles/links to what we think are the highlights – and sometimes lowlights – to check out – and avoid.

We´re completely impartial, scared of nobody, and very keen to promote the things that are really worth mentioning.

This week:

Make your money stretch double the distance with Gourmet Pase

It´s always nice to get something free. Whether it´s a little chupito at the end of your meal, a box of branded matches, or a calendar that you´re never going to use, the fact that the thought was there, stays with you. It´s always better to walk away from a night out at a restaurant with more than just a full belly and a deeper hole in your pocket that when you arrived, no?

But how about something that would actually make a real difference to your night out? Something we could use in these times of ‘Crisis’? A magic little book, perhaps, that could help you to save a little more cash every time you eat out? Or, if you own a bar/restaurant, attract people to your place who wouldn´t have otherwise come?

Thanks to the guys at Gourmet Pase, eating out at all the fabulous restaurants we have to choose from on the island doesn´t have to be a drain on the ‘dinero’ (Spanish for money in-case you didn´t know). They have come up with a seriously good idea to help the discerning diner take advantage of eating in style without emptying their wallets.

Basically – you buy a booklet which is valid until the end of May, for 15euro. Then, this booklet entitles you to a ‘2 for 1´ discount on a main meal – buy one, get one free – in 30 venues. There´s also a few fashion store discounts and even a free personal training session! Obviously this will be used after you´ve taken advantage of all the free food……

The man behind Gourmet Pase is DJ Rod Maya and since he launched the scheme in December, he´s had a great response from many of Ibiza´s top restaurants including Sushipoint, Es Tanco, Ancient People and Bambuddha Grove. So much so, that Rod´s now putting together the summer edition –  due out in June – which will be at least double the size of the winter booklet.

At the start of spring when people don´t have much money to spend, the temptation of saving on average 30% of the bill is what can make the difference between people eating out – and just staying at home.

Gourmet Pase also encourages people to visit different restaurants they wouldn´t normally go to, or maybe haven´t even heard of, so if you want to get involved or get eating, get in touch!

To find out more, log on to www.gourmet-pase.com

*************For information on advertising in the summer edition, email: ibizascopemedia1@yahoo.co.uk or call us on (0034) 654 462 844

Simply stunning

We visited Natasha last month and viewed where she handcrafts stunning pieces of jewellery in her 300 year old studio on the top of the Artisan hill in the heart of San Miquel. Exported to selected locations all over the world, her pieces shine with exquisite craftsmanship, individuality, and embrace nature with beauty. If you´re looking to find something completely unique, check it out.

Check out www.natashacollis.com

 

A bar/restaurant that’s fresh, funky and one step ahead

An all-year round hangout where the the music is fresh, the ambience is warm, the food is sometimes free – and you’re guaranteed to make at least one more friend every time you visit.

Shardana, Playa d’en Bossa, is the brainchild of a team headed up by Oscar Casu, and has become an institution – especially amongst the Ibiza set in winter who work their asses off during the summer but like to let their hair down and chill a little in the quieter months of the year.

Every Friday night from 8pm, Shardana combines the best in music with a free “aperidinner” buffet of Italian delicassies – hence why the weekly event is named ‘Aperitive in Music’ – and hosts varied sets from the island’s most respected DJs, special guests, and the odd ‘new’ face who, guaranteed, if they’re playing at Shardana, is definitely an emerging talent.

Andy Baxter, System of Survival, JP Chronic, Jo Mills, and Nima Gorji are just some names who have appeared there and often, they have nights of pure vinyl. Shardana also tends to combine such events with a theme. For example, Balearic sounds celebrating music without boundaries or time, brought by two DJs from two generations, the iconic DJ Alfredo and his son Jaime Fiorito – is just one of them.

The bar/restaurant often hosts special events – sometimes weekly, sometimes one-off – which usually revolve around music but always have the central focus of creating something new and finding ways to fuse the senses to spark something special.

During the summer, Shardana’s restaurant is open every night and showcases Sardinian cuisine at its finest. On their menu, you’ll find fresh, succulent fish and seafood dishes – try their signature spaghetti with sea urchin – as well as delicious meats, raviolis, salads and of course, for dessert, tiramisu.

Couple all of this with an art gallery downstairs dedicated to the insightful works of Arno Yung, and Shardana has undeniably created a concept – somewhere where you can drink, dance, eat, relax, network, discover and enjoy a sound which comes directly from the soul of the island.