Buenos Aires - Restaurants and Bars

[Roxanne]

Hi, Guys:

I tried the other night a restaurant with some friends and I can highly recommend it. It's located in Palermo Hollywood on Gorriti 5099, corner of Thames street. It's a restaurant, bar and terraza and the good thing is that they put on, different shows. When I was there, they had a very good jazz group with a great young singer, I was there with a friend who is an addict to the music and he was surprised for the quality of the group. We were more surprised when we ordered the food and it was simply great, really I didn't expect that level there. Good wines also, of course, we are in Argentina!!! The restaurant is beautiful and full with people and it's a good idea to start visiting other areas than Puerto Madero, Recoleta and San Telmo. Palermo is a restorted neighbourhood, full of bars, restaurants and design stores and it's easy to get there for the local taxi drivers. The name of the restaurant is SPLENDID and you need to make reservations at: 4833 4477/ 4833 3535.

Bon apetit, Roxana.

[EZE_Amante]

Otto,

Do you know if 1880 is open Sunday's, say for late lunch? I planned on ending one of Rox's tours there at the market, and I'd like to take the ladies there if it is open.

EZE

[El Aleman]

Uncle Otto,

The last thing I want to do is discourage you to further comment on Bs.As. fine eating places. I ow your tips MANY tasteful hours - and that I tried Piegari was due to your recommendation. Btw. Piegari is good.

I was just adding some recent experience (Sept. this year) about 2 restaurants very close together, and had the impression that the other one was better, certainly as far as the price / return ratio is concerned.

And, as you observe, prices at Pieagari are about the same as you would pay in the U.S (or I would pay in Europe), and that is certainly too much.

Tip to you, as mentioned in a previous post: the new La Cabaña is open. It is located in Av. Rodríguez Peña, between Posadas and Alvear, on the left side when coming from Posadas. Try it.

El Aleman

[OttoGraham]

Hey, ElAleman, I don't think Piegari is bad - just the opposite. The home made pastas which I and my companions had for lunch were excellent. (My personal favorite were the home made "sorrentinos," a kind of ham-stuffed ravioli in cream sauce.) And the prices were the same as I would pay for pasta at an Italian place at home, or even a hair less. My point was just that for Buenos Aires, it seems the prices here have gone beyond what the competition charges. Please don't let my comments dissuade anybody from eating there, as I like this place very much. It's just not the bargain that, say, 1880 is. But thanks for the tip on Sorrento, I shall have to try it my next time in town.

-Uncle Otto

[El Aleman]

Uncle Otto,

I absolutely second on your opinion that Piegari is overpriced (and the quality not up to the prices asked).

right across the street, also in the restaurant complex under the highway extension of 9 de Julio, is another italian restaurant, (I think) Sorrento. I was in both (Sorrento and Piegari) within a few days, with the same lovely lady.

We both agreed, that the quality of our food was significantly better in Sorrento, at a significanty lower price (As far as I remember, $250 vs. 400 for 2 full, 3 course meals plus wine).

In Piegari, we had the impression that the restaurant is patronized by a special, yuppyish sort of people - and this group all over the world goes to the expensive places, not necessarily the good ones.

El Aleman

[OttoGraham]

Updates on my old favorites

On my recent long-weekend trip, I ate at a number of restaurants which I have already described in this thread. Since I do believe in repeating a good thing, this was an easy decision for me to make.

El Mirasol with three different locations in town, is an excellent parrilla with good service and decent prices. I had a luncheon for 5, which consisted mostly of appetizers shared amongst us (empanadas - meat pies; provoletas - grilled cheese; sausages; salads; desserts; and a couple bottles of good chardonnay). Total - about 200 pesos.

Le Sud, located in the Sofitel in the 800 block of Arroyo. Elegant French dining, with a varied menu and an excellent wine list of moderately-priced and higher priced wines (try the 2000 Zapata Chardonnay for 90 pesos, one of the best chardonnays I have had!). Appetizers, entrees, and desserts for four, with coffee and 2 bottles of the aforementioned Zapata - 400 pesos plus a tip.

Piegari, which is actually two separate restaurants located across from each other on Posadas, intersection with 9 de Julio. Lunch in the parrilla for 2 - 70 pesos. Light lunch in the Italian restaurant for 3, about 100. I think the Italian branch is getting overpriced for Buenos Aires. The prices were the same as I would pay in the U.S. for a similar meal. Not bad (in fact, the homemade pastas are excellent!) or expensive, but as a relative value for this town, a bit pricey.

1880, another parrilla found at 1665 Defensa, in the San Telmo neighborhood. This is the best value-for-money restaurant I know in BsAs. Good parrilla food, good service, decent low-end wines which are very inexpensive and drinkable. Dinner for 7 of us, including several courses, lots of desserts, many bottles of beer and wine - a whopping 192 pesos plus a 40 peso tip. Highly, highly recommended!

A note about tipping

Some friends think I tip waiters in BsAs too much. However, I am the kind of customer who likes to be doted upon, and am constantly sending my servers back to the kitchen to fetch another small plate of some morsels. I frequently ask them to make recommendations, and chat it up with them as much as my poor Spanish allows. Given all this, I don't think I am being overgenerous when I tip 20 or 25%.

The waiters work hard, I appreciate their business, and as I found both at Estilo Campo and 1880 - if you are a generous, friendly Gringo, the waiters WILL remember you the next time you visit and they will treat you very well. Being a waiter in BsAs is pretty much a permanent, full-time job, so these fellows (and occasional ladies) will work there for a long time, unlike most restaurants in the U.S., where there is a lot of turnover.

I like living it up, and this is one of the ways I enjoy doing so!

Bon Appetit!

-Uncle Otto

[OttoGraham]

Exon123 introduced me to an excellent restaurant that I have not eaten at previously.

Estilo Campo is found at Moreau de Justo 1840, in Puerto Madero. It is located in what I believe is the most southern/eastern old converted warehouse in the row that makes up the Puerto Madero complex.

It is an Argentine parrilla similar in style to the previously-reviewed Cabana las Lilas and El Mirasol, each of which are located in other Puerto Madero buildings.

Dinner for three, with several beef and accompanying courses, wine, and some mixed drinks came to about 220 pesos.

If you like parrillas, as I do, this is an excellent addition to your list. A local friend also tells me another branch of Estilo Campo is found in the suburbs out near San Isidro.

-Uncle Otto

[Roxanne]

Hi, Perverted Gourmets!!!!

I went to a great restaurant near Puerto Madero, really it's located in front of it and as it is on the top of Comega Building, on the 19th floor, you have a beautiful view of the Docks. The name of the restaurant is AZZURRA, and it is on Corrientes Avenue 222. You need reservations, so their tel. number is: 4315 8381. Also they have a sushi bar on the 20th floor. The food is great, they offer sea food, good pasta and meats. Don't expect a barbecue there, it's modern mediterranean cuisine.

Bon apetit!!!!

Roxana.

[Sky Ryder]

I had a wonderful dining experience this past Saturday evening at place called Morena. It is on the water near the downtown airport. I went with my novia and another good friend, which I am sure added to the pleasure of the evening.
This place sits on the water and is dark and very romantic. You can see the lights of the city twinkle on the water from your table.
The service is wonderful and I had scallops in a wine sauce, both of the ladies enjoyed their dishes as well.
This is not a place to meet someone, but I cannot imagine a lady not enjoying being wined and dined at this establishment.
I suspect that you might want to make reservations on Saturday night, but the rest of the week it shouldn't be necessary. They have a small bar and a combo that plays on the weekend.
A great way to spend the first part of an evening and set the tone for the fun to come later.

Enjoy!!

p.s. I great way to make brownie points with the B & C without having to explain......or having your attentions diverted by other "eye catching" diversions......lol

[MiddleAgeGuy]

I also give high marks to Broccolino, the garlic and butter squid being excellent! Thanks Andres for reminding me where it was some time ago. There is one guy in there that always seems to remember me and will not let me get a word of Spanish in as he dazzles me with his English. Nice people. As the place is pretty close to Hooks, etc., it is a good place to go prior to clubbing in that end of town.
Another area one might want to venture to for eats is Las Canitas, in Palermo. It will cost you 8 pesos or so for a taxi from centro but then you have about 3 blocks worth of eateries from which to chose. It can get very crowded here also. Some places have dancing/shows also, some with a minimum charge meal + show. A nice diversion from Recoletta and Centro.
A classy place in Puerto Madero is Happening. For impressing the chica, it's great, as is the food and service. A little pre-warning to the chica is in order so that she can dress nice. The last time I went there, mi novia said there were a few celebs around, not that I could tell the difference.
Provecho
MAG

[Member #4211]

Broccolino: Esmeralda St between Cordoba Av and Viamonte St

Andres

[Dickhead]

I can recommend Broccolino, also on Córdoba and I believe the cross street is Maipu (or thereabouts; it's on the same side of the street as Mi Casa or My House and the opposite side from Excedra). Huge portions, excellent food, friendly service.

Also I like Tasca Tancat tapas bar on Paraguay half a block from Florida towards 9 de Julio. Some stuff is cheap and some is rather expensive but there is a nice variety.

[EZE_Amante]

I just want to 2nd the what Roxy mentioned about El Establo. It is just a block or two from Orleans, and has very reasonable prices probably because they don't go overboard on the decor. This place was recommended to a friend of the board by the now MIA Sandy, and we all loved the food. Great steaks, good wine list, great place for a late lunch or early dinner. If you sit by the window, you can enjoy your meal and the beautiful Porteñas that walk by.

EZE

[El Aleman]

The place is called Asia de Cuba.

When staying friday nights in the Hilton, best idea is to go there, as you will hear the music anyway if you have a room towards the city...

El Aleman

[MoonDog]

Thanks for the info. Sounds great