The cuisine of Sant Joan de Binissaida

Located in an idyllic setting, Sant Joan de Binissaida combines the natural beauty of Menorca with an exceptional gastronomic offering. Under the direction of Ses Forquilles, the hotel restaurant has gained recognition for its focus on local and seasonal products. Oriol Castell, one of the partners of Ses Forquilles, explains: "We were presented with a very attractive project, and we accepted. It wasn't easy to take the leap because it meant growing as a company and having more staff, but the experience has been very positive." 

The culinary proposal of Sant Joan de Binissaida focuses on dishes that highlight the richness of Mediterranean cuisine. Using fresh and local ingredients, the restaurant offers a varied dinner menu that changes with the seasons, always ensuring the highest quality and flavor. 

For lunches, following the same principle, Sant Joan de Binissaida offers the possibility of trying something fresh and light in the idyllic garden setting, with bites under the pines. Easy, quick, and tasty options that serve as a snack for those days when the schedule is full of activities.

The History of Ses Forquilles

Before managing the kitchen of Sant Joan de Binissaida, Ses Forquilles began its journey in 2006 in a small place in the center of Maó. "Ses Forquilles was born because Marco Collado, Raquel Yagüe, and I were working in a family hospitality business, but we wanted to keep progressing. We closed one chapter, but our passion for gastronomy led us to open a place in Maó with a new concept. That's how Ses Forquilles was born, with the idea of venturing under our own rules, offering small plates, menus, and snacks," Oriol recalls.

Later, in 2015, El Rais was born in the port of Maó. "It was a place we had in mind, so we did everything possible to reach an agreement with the property. El Rais is a very personal project, focused on rice dishes. My partner is Valencian, and I am Catalan, where the rice culture is very strong. So, we launched this project that has evolved over the years."

With the arrival of the pandemic, the group had to adapt very quickly. It was at that moment that they created Ses Culleres, a 'comfort food' concept with a lower ticket than El Rais or Ses Forquilles, but maintaining quality.

The product as the protagonist

In addition to these ventures, since 2013, Ses Forquilles has been in charge of the kitchen at Sant Joan de Binissaida. "We have always aimed to cook locally, always considering where we are: Menorca, in the middle of the Mediterranean," says Oriol, referring to the type of products they have in their kitchens. "We love working with zero-kilometer products, but we are also open to bringing in products from elsewhere if we like them. Additionally, each place has its own identity, so you can find products, techniques, and preparations that are not so Mediterranean. But we never lose sight of where we are, with the Mediterranean action area as our reference."

Would you like to try the gastronomy of Sant Joan de Binissaida? Reserve your table here for dinner or your bite under the pines at noon.