The essence of life: Plaer Natural

Ignaçi Ignasio used to cook in superb restaurants before he decided to be his own chef. Located at the Placa de sa Quartera in the heart of La Gerreria, Plaer Natural offers a variety of dishes influenced by the great cuisines of the Mediterranean – a bit of Mallorca, a bite of Marocco, pasta like in Liguria, a salad from the Cote d’Azur. It’s often hard to make your choice, but luckily the prizes are moderate and the dishes rather light, so you can easily go for a three- or four-course menú del día.

Try the Falafel or the Tortitas, and be sure to leave some room for the brownie plus a cafe solo. If you pass the bar, have a look at the tiny kitchen where Ignaçi prepares all the delicacies freshly every day. And if you wash your hands and like the liquid soap from Gaia Bathtime – the lovely store is right around the corner. The owner sometimes helped Ignaçi and Monica out, particlarly when they got their fourth child. I almost forgot to mention that Plaer Natural serves vegetarian food, only. You might forget this as well since you won’t miss a thing.

During summer, you can sit outside on the placa and enjoy the life in the neighborhood, only a few steps away from busy Carrer Sindicat or touristy Plaça Major. A couple of years ago, only few people used to come here, most of them with their nose in a travel guide telling them about the famous old Xocolateria of Can Joan de s’Aigo hidden in a small side street between Plaça de la Quartera and Plaça Quadrado.

Since La Gerreria has become the place to be, more and more Palmesanos and visitors discover the authentic beauty and the genuine friendship of the quarter. With Palma Suites the first apartment hotel opened last year, the next about to follow. Reminds me of Soho in New York City, or Berlin Mitte. I am very happy to be part of this coming-of-age process. It is the essence of cities – and life itself: times are a-changin’.