It’s mighty refreshing finding a solid lunch spot that breaks away from the Palermo café-lunch-brunch scene epicenter.  Loreto Garden Bar, situated in a residential part of Colegiales, is an ideal warm-weather spot, to sit outside, and have a mighty tasty lunch.  Loreto’s menu may seem like any old Argie café menu of burger-sandwich-salad-tarta-offerings, but look a bit closer and you’ll find a unique, inventive twist.  

There are four dining sections in the restaurant: one front patio (shown above), two inside dining rooms, and a backyard garden as well.  Despite the ample eating locations, you will most likely have to wait for a table if you lunch during peak hours.  Yes, it may not be in Palermo but it gets very crowded with mostly a local clientele.

I started off with some refreshing juices that luckily didn’t consist of a heaping spoonful of tooth decay.  The blueberry lemonade (AR$16) was nice and tart and the fresh squeezed orange juice (AR$14) was just that, fresh and squeezed.

Loreto offers three different types of burgers: a good ole fashioned “Loreto” with cheese, lettuce, tomato and an onion and pickle mayo (AR$40), the “Burguesa,” a more fancy option, is topped with brie, caramelized onions, arugula and grilled mushrooms (AR$45), and the “Lord Hector” (shown above) that is packed with brie and caramelized onions (AR$42).  Each burger has the option to add panceta, fried egg and/or extra cheese.  The burger was made with a homemade patty and while it probably suffered from the common disease of being overcooked, the flavors were still pretty good, well seasoned and bread nice and toasted.  Caramelized onions and a lots of melted cheeses aided to the delicious factor.
Trying to watch my girlish figure, I ordered the Pollo Honey (AR$42): grilled chicken breast, tomato, parm & arugula salad,toasted veggies and a honey mustard dipping sauce on the side.  I wasn’t expecting a lunch like this to WOW me – but I have ordered similar dishes at other cafés and they turned out to be inedible.  Luckily, Loreto passed the grilled chicken test.  It was nicely cooked, healthy, fresh and filling. 
I’d like to introduce you all to my new boyfriend, his name is Roger, he’s a mother of a sandwich and packed with grilled chicken, guacamole, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, Brie, Parmesan and cream cheeses.  He’s served on homemade soft and airy foccacia and I can get him for AR$42.
Close up of Roger in his skivvies. He’s a dreamboat, ain’t he?  
With my ultra-Argie eating partner choosing the dessert, he went with – surprise surprise – CHOCOTORTA. Generally, I’m pretty lukewarm about chocotortas, especially buying it in a restaurant.  It’s cheap to make, easy, and never tastes THAT good. BUT I TAKE IT ALL BACK, this chocotorta was bomb. DDL + choco cookie + cream cheese + whipped cream + espresso isssssssssss mighty awesome. Sorry for doubting you, Chocotorta.  My only complaint? Don’t go while hungry. While those on staff are very nice and friendly, expect extra Argentime service – from getting the mozo’s attention to waiting for menus to waiting for the food to come out.  ArgenTIME to the max.

Loreto Garden Bar
Virrey Loreto 2912, Colegiales
Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
4555-7170
Average Price: AR$55-60 (including drinks)