Patrón Lunares

Where history and fresh produce come together

Patrón Lunares, a place with history and charm. Fish and seafood lovers, stop looking, this is your place.

Author: Cristian Rodríguez Domínguez

I'll be honest, I thought I had already seen and tasted everything. No wonder. There is no neighborhood in Palma that has become more fashionable in recent years than Santa Catalina. Who hasn't shopped at its gorgeous and inviting market? And who hasn't had a few drinks with friends at the more than famous and highly acclaimed "Tardeo" when you mention the neighborhood? Fortunately, I was very wrong. There are still many corners and places to explore and discover. And often you find them in the least expected way, as in my case. One day, trying the new service of BiciPalma that allows us to move around the city in a sustainable way, which is also beneficial for us since we have no choice but to pedal, I arrive at the stop on Calle Cotoner, number 41. That's when I decide to explore the neighborhood a bit, without purpose and without any expectations.

I leave Plaza Progreso behind me in the direction of the windmills and after only a few meters I see the striking red sign of the always well-visited Vinostrum-La Fabrica, where one should definitely take a look at the extensive wine list. It turns out that the facade belongs to one of the restaurants firmly established in this neighborhood, located in a building with a long history: Patrón Lunares. I look at my watch - 2:30 p.m. - and decide to go in and quench my appetite. If the outside has already captivated me, the inside is completely marvelous. A large, open space with subdued lighting accompanying the sun's rays streaming in through the large, wide-open doors.

I sit in the back of the restaurant at a sturdy wooden table. A waitress approaches me, hands me the menu and asks me if I like fish. I say yes, I actually like it very much. Then she goes on to give me a couple of recommendations: red shrimp from Sóller, oysters from the Ebro, and octopus. All fresh, national products. After looking at the menu, which offers a wide selection of dishes from the sea and the land, I make my choice. While I look at the decor of the place, a refreshing beer of a brand unknown to me, 18/70 from Donosti, and a basket of bread and Ali Oli with truffles, an incredible combination that I could never have imagined mixing, arrive at the table.

The appetizer arrives a little after in a metal cube with 4 croquettes of eggplant, cherry tomatoes and parmesan. Crispy and delicious. The filling is perfect, no ingredient steals the spotlight from the others. Delicious bites that work up an appetite. Shortly after I finish my appetizer, it's time for the main course: 2 Baja California fish tacos. The lettuce stands out from the tacos and serves as a base for the breaded fish pieces that top them up. Chives, mayonnaise and sweet and sour sauce round out this delicacy. Something seemingly so simple and straightforward turns out to be a flavor explosion that floods my palate, savoring it with every bite and wishing it would never come to an end. At first glance, you might think the quantities are too small, but turns out to be the opposite. The portions are actually perfect.

At the end of the meal, when the dish with the two tacos is taken away, they tempt me with one of their appetizing desserts (Cardenal de Lloseta with English sauce, ensaimada filled with ice cream or lemon pie), but I am too full to have anything else. So I order a cortado to round out the meal. While sipping my coffee, which is served with unrefined sugar, I strike up a conversation with the owner, a pleasant woman who is always attentive to her guests. She tells me that in the near future they plan to source all their raw materials locally and, of course, continue to work with Esment as they have in the past. In addition, she recommends coming in the evening on my next visit so that I can compare the two different atmospheres. I take her word and promise to also leave room for dessert on my next visit.