Ibiza

In THE Mix

An inventive new Tokyo-style dining experience unites Japanese gastronomy with Ibiza’s heritage at the iconic El Silencio beach house.

Late afternoon on Ibiza’s west coast. Sunlight streams across the tiny cove of Cala Molí, casting a golden haze over rugged cliffsides and sparkling waters. On the shores, a stylish crowd lounges on wooden sunbeds as music threads through the air. Behind, nestled in the curve of the bay, a relaxed beach house is thronged with diners, soaking up the views beneath breezy, rattan-shaded terraces. With its laid-back, bohemian vibe, it’s a scene that calls to mind the Ibiza of the 1970s. Yet this deceptively low-key chiringuito is the island’s hottest contemporary ticket. The Ibiza outpost of Arnaud Frisch and Antoine Caton’s iconic Silencio group, famed for its nightclub venues in Paris and New York, El Silencio has gained a cult following among island insiders and global creatives since opening in 2021. In this rustic-chic setting, Balearic architecture by Moredesign sets the stage for a collision of cutting-edge design, music, arts and gastronomy, playing out against the bay’s sunset views. True to form, this season marks a fresh wave of creativity at the venue. A new cultural programme will connect El Silencio club members and visitors with Ibiza’s artistic scene, with visits to local artists’ workshops and a series of immersive events designed to foster creative exchanges. Under the helm of Michelin-recognised chef Mauro Colagreco, the beach restaurant will showcase a unique fusion of haute cuisine and seasonal Mediterranean fare, while cocktails come courtesy of award-winning mixologist Rémy Savage. A residency by Swedish sunglasses brand Chimi is set to bring a futuristic pop of Nordic colour, while a roster of resident DJs will provide the soundtrack to the relaxed poolside revelry the venue is renowned for. At the centre of El Silencio’s summer line-up sits an extraordinary new second restaurant, Urusai. A collaboration between El Silencio and Arthur Cohen, head of celebrated Parisian restaurants Ojii and Onii-San, Urusai is a Tokyo-style dining experience inspired by the traditions of Japan’s izakaya bars, known for their vibrant social style and sharing plates. ‘We’re excited to bring the authentic izakaya concept to Ibiza for the first time,’ says Cohen. ‘Our goal is always to surprise people – and I think that’s also the goal of El Silencio.’ Surprising it certainly is. Brought to life by some of the world’s leading creatives, the venue merges diverse inspirations with dizzying ingenuity. Under the visionary creative direction of Olivier Leone, the space was designed by renowned architect Kulapat Yantrasast, former head of international projects for Tadao Ando and founder of the multidisciplinary studio WHY, which has contributed to several global museums and cultural institutions. The result is a striking setting blending multiple influences, from Japanese kissaten coffee shops to brutalism, as well as the many cultures which have left their mark on Ibiza across millennia, in what Cohen terms ‘an archaeological delirium’. Natural materials, reclaimed wood, ceramics and earthy beige hues create a raw, primal ambience, complemented by uniforms with a utilitarian aesthetic inspired by Japanese fashion brand Kapital and Rick Owens, created from military deadstock fabric sourced by a specialist in Paris. In this remarkable space, a menu curated by Cohen with Ojii’s chef Yuji Mikuriya and Onii-San’s chef Romain Littièreoffers an inventive twist on authentic Japanese cuisine. Dishes are crafted using fresh local Balearic and Iberian ingredients, celebrating both Ibiza’s natural produce and Japanese gastronomy. In a nod to the beach location, fresh local seafood is at the heart of the menu, in dishes such as red shrimp carpaccio with shiso oil, crispy rice, dashi and bisque caramel, and sobas with sea urchins and shiitake cream. Ibiza’s local vegetables are transformed into crisp tempura with fermented honey and black garlic or served as dengaku eggplant with miso. In keeping with the izakaya custom, Urusai also has an extensive drinks menu, including imaginative Japanese-inspired cocktails crafted by Savage, as well as a specially curated selection of sake that is set to rotate throughout the season. ‘We’re inspired by Japanese traditions, as well as the beautiful fresh produce and heritage of Ibiza – and we’re always looking to innovate and bring our own creative take,’ says Cohen. ‘There’s nothing like Urusai on the island; I think people will discover something new.’

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