Monsieur Bleu attracts an arrestingly chic
crowd, a a wonderfully eclectic mix of old
and new money, tastemakers and jet-setters,
celebrities and elegant tourists.
It is timelessly elegant, effortlessly handsome – très Parisien.
www.monsieurbleu.com
their descendants, are showcased on the
gallery area. There is a private dining room,
built in the former office of the president of
the fishing association.
The atmosphere is casual and comfortable.
www.patronlunares.com
ZONA BUDAPEST
PATRON LUNARES
Budapest, Hungary
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
The Patrón Lunares Cantina could not more
typify its location in Palma’s old fishing
quarter, Santa Catalina. It is a tribute to
Santa Catalina, to its fishermen and sailors
who for centuries sailed the Mediterranean
Sea. The restaurant founders opened the
place in honour of their grandfathers who
were all fishermen.
The menu is a mix of seafood and grilled
meats and includes a diverse range of
dishes, from home comforts, to the British
beef burger and lobster moqueca, an AfroBrazilian stew.
The eatery is a modern take on a traditional
canteen, perhaps best described as marine
retro chic, and is housed in the Montepio del
Arrabal, a charming old industrial building
first opened in 1894 as a healthcare facility.
Patrón Lunares has been sympathetically
restored and many original elements – tiled
bar-style counter, wooden beams, iron
columns, joinery and the spectacular checkerboard tile flooring – left intact.
The continuous bench seat is covered with
the popular local llengos fabric. Original
crockery pieces have been used, many of
which were made by hand over 200 years
ago. Antiques and collectible objects related
to the sea, donated by retired fishermen or
Zona Budapest is a stylish restaurant bistrocum-wine bar, a buzzing hot spot in the city.
The strikingly beautiful design is a fusion
of traditional and contemporary that pays
homage equally to Budapest's historic
splendour and its cosmopolitan present day.
The gorgeous blue-green colours, mixed
with warm wood, create a modern and
warm ambience. Original details, such as
the lovely parquet floors and panelling, are
illuminated by 80 hanging globes, while
expansive windows offer dazzling views of
the Chain Bridge and the Pest.
The kitchen is in the capable hands of
Krisztián Huszár, who breaks the mould and
delights guests by fusing contemporary
Hungarian flavours with the characteristics
of Japanese and Basque gastronomy.
Once upon a time, those who were not
particularly well off financially could go late
to a restaurant and order a smaller portion
for less money – a “zona” portion. And that is
what Zona Budapest is all about: no starters
or mains here; all portions are the same size,
larger than traditional tapas but smaller
than a regular main.
Here, there is a sense of adventure and the
service is flawless.
www.zonabudapest.com
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