Culinary Odyssey: The Recipes and Secrets of La Taberna del León on its 30th Anniversary
In front of a table always overflowing with stories and flavors, the legendary Mónica Patiño holds a turquoise blue hardcover book; within its pages unfolds the story of a professional chef, a family in the restaurant business, and one of the culinary landmarks of Mexico City: La Taberna del León.
The Lion Tavern. Everything springs from the mind and here it is embodied, the book that recounts the 46-year culinary odyssey of Mónica Patiño, the Lion Tavern and the countless stories that unfold on tables with immaculate white tablecloths, south of the City; it began to take shape among the paradisiacal landscapes of Tuscany.
“Two years ago, at Mónica Patiño’s house, I discovered her close connection to the land and its ingredients. Being far from Mexico, our common theme was our country, and that’s how we began working on the research to develop this book”—Mariana Coronel, researcher and manager of immovable cultural assets.
As the asparagus with gribiche sauce landed on the table in front of diners hungry for stories on the afternoon of Thursday, November 28, Mónica Patiño and Mariana Coronel recounted the creative process that shaped the book.
"La Taberna del León was founded in 1978, evolved, and finally settled in the south of the city in 1994. It is important to have a cultural bastion of this kind, because Mónica Patiño's cuisine attracted a certain audience such as Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Scherer García, and many other figures from whom the history of Mexico is told," the researcher emphasized.
The house white wine, made in Baja California, expressed its aromas of fresh tropical fruits, while the citrus note of lemon seasoned the classic five-chili shrimp. Secret stories, guarded within the walls of the Taberna del León, were revealed on the table. Beyond knowing each customer's coffee preference and culinary quirks, Captain Gustavo's extensive experience encompasses unusual details gathered over the three decades of La Taberna.
We wanted to share this everyday life, the people who live it, their love and professionalism. It was a joy to come to work on this project every day at 9 am. Jorge, wearing his white jacket, would greet us with coffee prepared according to each team member's preference; it was a heartwarming dynamic. I directed the artistic side, and Core was in charge of preparing the dishes.” – Mónica Patiño
After the shrimp, amidst a convivial and celebratory atmosphere, the main courses arrived: sea bass with squid for some guests and lamb shank confit in honey and spices for the more carnivorous. Roasted figs in port wine with vanilla ice cream brought the menu, orchestrated by chef Corentin Bertrand and inspired by the book, to a perfect close.
Organized around the color palette of Ana Hop's photographs of Taberna del León. Everything springs from the mind and is captured here; it's the story of Mónica Patiño, her thoughts, vision, and recipes that have made this restaurant a classic in Mexico City and that reflect her passion and essence in every detail.
Adding to the series of celebrations for La Taberna del León's 30th anniversary is the opening of a new restaurant: Bistró 44, located at Emilio Castelar 44-3, Polanco.
Lion's Tavern. Everything springs from the mind and is embodied here.
$849 Get it at La Taberna del León, Gandhi Bookstores, Liverpool, Sanborns, Palacio de Hierro, Sótano, Librería Porrúa, Cafebrería El Péndulo, Fondo de Cultura Económica and Amazon.
The Lion's Tavern
Antonio Plaza Altamirano 46, Cañada 2nd Section, 01090 Mexico City.
