The lunch set menu at “Adrian Quetglas Restaurant” (Pg. de Mallorca, 20, Palma) can cost as little as €55 for five courses, which is an exceptionally reasonable price for a Michelin-starred meal.

Pros:

– a cozy, intimate space with well-arranged tables and a forest-themed interior design;

– thoughtful table settings: woven napkins embroidered with Adrian Quetglas’s name, charming cutlery rests, and copper pots doubling as plant holders;

– well-chosen dishware complements the natural harmony of the meal;

– the set lunch begins with freshly baked bread served with truffle butter, followed by gazpacho with shrimp carpaccio, watermelon, basil ice cream, and almonds. A cool, dignified dish, with a delicate balance of salty, sweet, and mild flavors, without any sharpness. This gazpacho is like flowing silk, with a taste that spirals and ends somewhere near your third eye;

– the second course presents an enticing still life of tender duck meat, warm buñuelos of foie gras, and blackberries. A long, playful aftertaste, elegantly adorned with pansy petals;

– the third course features dumplings (a type of gnocchi from Eastern Europe) with a slice of amberjack fish in a velvety sea urchin foam. A soothing dish, with a creamy finish and hints of citrus, all while preserving the natural taste of the fish and its marine juices. Pure delight;

– the fourth course, veal, delivers a powerful, vibrant punch like a tightly wound spring. Sweet and spicy tropical notes are paired with pine and emerald-green grassy aromas, offering a pleasant fresh acidity;

– a nectarine dessert with dark chocolate, tarragon, and toasted macadamia nuts (the most expensive nuts in the world) is the final note of an invigorating journey through the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe all at once;

– the impeccable service avoids the typical exhausting hovering that can make diners feel uncomfortable. Michelin-starred restaurants often practice a style of service that makes you feel unworthy of being in a sacred temple of haute cuisine, where you’re expected to eat, pay, and leave. Adrian’s restaurant, however, has none of that. It feels like you’ve visited old friends who are genuinely happy to see you;

– it’s perfectly normal for diners with suitcases, heading to the airport, to stop by for lunch, and it doesn’t cause any discomfort or awkwardness;

– there’s just the right amount of professional care, with bright smiles accompanying answers to all questions. Empty plates discreetly vanish, cutlery is changed on time, and if your napkin falls to the floor, a freshly ironed one is immediately provided. The service runs like Swiss clockwork, even at full capacity, exactly as it should.

Cons:

– to stay within the €55 price, you’ll have to forgo the wine pairing, which costs €30 for a quartet of complementary glasses.

Text by Lana Kesoyan