The Sunset Strip in San Antonio is no misnomer: here you will get spectacular views of the bay and be able to catch perhaps the most beautiful sunset on the island. We were here to try out one of the restaurants on the strip, Mint Lounge. It's part of the Mambo Group who wanted to provide an alternative to its original venue, Café Mambo right next door.
The aim from the start was to provide the atmosphere of Mambo but in a restaurant format. The music comes from its neighbour and you'll see the Café Mambo DJs on screens facing the main restaurant outside. Mint Lounge is a lot more little sister than twin and orientated around families as well as groups of friends and couples. Food is Italian in style; there's a great selection of cocktails and of course the views.
Relaxed ambience
The type of customer depends on the time of day; with the more casual clientele stopping by after the beach and in the evening you'll spot a much more smartly dressed crowd. It is open from Easter to late October and is popular with local residents who get a nice discount for their support. When you are here you'll see why there's a high Trip Advisor rating for the place: the staff is very friendly, it has a much more laid back ambience compared with its neighbours and it works hard to love its customers, which is why many come back again and again.
We didn't get the best of the sunsets due to a partially cloudy sky, but we still got a blast of bright orange through the scant covering, but we were really here for the place itself. We'd heard that they do some of the best pizzas around and that they are one of its specialities as is the pasta. Meat and fish lovers can still choose from a big fat steak or a nice chunk of salmon if that's what they fancy though.
Excellent G&T selection
We started with a couple of gin and tonics; there are seven of them and they are extremely varied and popular. We had the Namaste, flavoured with cinnamon and orange peel and the Pimienta Rosa with grapefruit and orange peels plus Jamaican and pink peppercorns – great and inventive variations on the G&T.
To start with we had caprese salad with baby plum tomatoes, baby mozzarellas and basil, slightly dressed with a good quality olive oil, nothing out of balance, everything in good order. We had their garlic bread too, which is topped with some really yummy cheese. Nothing as you might expect remained on those two plates.
Tasty pizza and pasta
For the main event, we went for the seafood linguine, since it's much asked for by customers and comes with mussels, prawns, clams and squid. The pasta is a really good dish, delicately flavoured, not over fishy and in line with the Italian idea of using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The San Daniele pizza I had was a very good size and very tasty. It was a picture in itself, with rolled prosciutto ham on top, looking like a small piece of art rather than my dinner. It's fair to say that the specialities lived up to their promise and we both felt very well fed. Sadly, we were too full to try the tempting sounding desserts, though there's always a next time.
Mint Lounge is a delightfully relaxing place and you feel very at home; it's great for people watching and generally losing yourself. You go here to get a touch of glamour without pretension. They offer well-prepared tasty and attractive food with a smile in a tastefully designed venue. Most times that's just what you want.
Quick Facts
What? Mint Lounge
Where? Lepanto 3, Escalera Bajo San Antonio
When? Easter till the end of October
Why? Some of the best pizzas in San Antonio, and that view
Average spend per head? €36 for a starter, main, dessert and a glass of house wine
Veggie Options? Indeed they do and they are well catered for in their famous pizzas, their pastas and salads
Disabled Facilities? No, but sister venue Mambo next door has disabled toilets with ramp access
Top tips? Go for the sunset, as it is magnificent
Room for Improvement? The pasta and salads are great, some more meat and fish options perhaps
WORDS | Julian Heathcote
