Gringo in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Shopping Guide: Shop Like A Porteño

Tim Gringo in BA — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:23:43 +0000

Palermo is is the most trendy part of Buenos Aires, so you can expect the shopping to be quite good. Full of boutiques shop and name brands catering to men and women alike, the streets of Palermo Soho are a shopping Paradise and you will find that most shopping can be done within a few blocks in Palermo Soho.

San Telmo is the place to go if you are looking for antiques. The streets of Defensa are filled with different kinds of antique shops where finding a hidden treasure is not that hard. San Telmo also has a good amount of boutique clothing stores that cater to the bohemian vibe of the neighborhood. Make sure to explore San Telmo on a Sunday, when the whole street of Defensa is closed off and becomes a large market where individual merchants selling all kinds of things flood the streets.

El Centro, the downtown of Buenos Aires is filled with all different kinds of stores, but nothing too specific. It is worth it to take a stroll down calle Florida, which is a walking street catering to shopping. You will be able to find all kinds of stores and they tend to be on the cheaper side.

Recoleta is the most upscale neighborhood of Buenos Aires, so you can expect the shopping to be pricey, especially the upscale and luxury shops that line Avenida Alvear near the Alvear Palace hotel.

Villa Crespo is the place to go if you are looking for Leather goods on the cheaper side. The street Murillo is filled with leather outlet stores where you will be sure to find what you are looking for. Outlets is what Villa Crespo is known for, as if you travel down Aguirre street, you will find all kinds of outlet stores from many different international brands like Lacoste and Penguin. Check out here if you want to save some money.

The following is a list of stores based on what category of shopping you want to do. This is just a starting point; we have picked the best of the best, so make sure you do some exploration on your own. Enjoy!

Fashion – Boutiques & Designers

Seco
Armenia 1646, Palermo

Fashionable rainwear is the specialty at Seco, but it also features items for when it is dry.

Kukia
Bulnes 2677, Palermo

The collections at Kukia have a variety of products, ranging from jeans to dresses, focusing on jackets and items for everyday usage. Since 2008 the range has expanded to include a successful line of beachwear.

Pesqueira
Armenia 1493, Palermo

Imagine if Amelie, the female character from the movie of the same name opened up her own Boutique clothing store. It would be similar to Pesqueira!

Lupe
El Salvador 4657, Palermo

Very stylish and conservative at the same time, Lupe is very feminine with an edgy vibe.

Amores Trash Couture
Angel Carranza 1979, Palermo

Well, the name is pretty accurate in describing the style. Trashy are the clothes, but in a good way. Taking cues from the 80′s, Amores Trash Couture incorporates 80′s trashy style with a modern twist.

DAM
Honduras 4775, Palermo

DAM features all handmade clothes that bring out the quirky aspects of one’s personality. DAM’s focus on hand-made designs is one of its defining characteristics and sets it apart from the mass-produced.

Juana de Arco
El Salvador 4762, Palermo

Juna de Arco features a colorful and innovative line of clothing including underwear, urban womenswear, men and children clothing, accessories and art and household objects.

Nadine Zlotogora
El Salvador 4638, Palermo

Local designer Nadine Zlotogora is highly innovative and thus produces clothing that combine different fabrics with all kinds of patchwork, among others.

Mariana Dappiano
Gurruchaga 1755, Palermo

Mariana Dappiano’s search for sensuality and femininity fueled by morphological and textile resources, in addition to her work on color, produces a contemporary and sophisticated image with a very well defined style.

Agostina Bianchi
Thames 1733, Palermo

All of the items in Agostina Bianchi’s collection are hand made and in limited supply. Bianchi’s aim is to develop a differentiated product with its own quality and handcrafted style, without disregarding a garments design and functionality.

Cora Groppo
El Salvador 4696, Palermo

Cora Groppo’s design is inspired by the constant element in morphologic change, that has a mutable peel; the mixture of materials that creates one, transforms into layers and overlays with colors and textures. Sound experimental? Maybe, but that hasn’t stopped Cora Groppo from having her styles sold all around the world.

Niño Bien
Avenida Belgrano 302, San Telmo

Niño Bien features clothes from labels like Lacoste, La Martina, Polo Ralph Lauren, Echo and more at discounted prices.

Diversa
Humberto 1 580, San Telmo

Diversa is diverse; it houses tons of different clothes from all different kinds of designers. Both guys and girls can find something here that will impress.

Puntos en el Espacio
Peru 979, San Telmo

Puntos en el Espacio has many things ranging from clothing for both girls and guys, jewelry, bags, shoes and household items. All is young and hip.

Santa Paula
Contact through the website or call for address & appointment, San Telmo

If you are looking to incorporate the indigenous styles of Northern Argentina and Bolivia, Santa Paula is just your thing. Santa Paula has transformed these designs into dresses into a style distinctively South American.

El Buen Orden
Defensa 894, San Telmo

Going along with the antique style of San Telmo, El Buen Orden features all kinds of used used clothes, jewelery, headwear, shoes, etc. Very Vintage, El Buen Orden is a place that if you dig deep enough, you might find that perfect vintage treasure.

Gil Antiguedades
Humberto 1 412, San Telmo

Gil Antiguedades is filled with Vintage clothing; perhaps so filled you might mistake it for a carnival or a circus. Featuring many eclectic items from all different decades, Gil Antiguedades is another place to find a hidden treasure.

Greens (No Website)
Unit 42, 1st floor, Galeria patio del Liceo, Santa Fe 2729, Recoleta

A hidden Gem, Greens is tucked away in the Galeria Patio del Liceo. But don’t let the strange location fool you as Greens features incredibly designed clothes at great prices.

Tramando
Rodriguez Peña 1973, Recoleta

It there is one word to describe the Tramando line of clothing, it is ‘abstract’. Combining the old with the modern, Tramando is an eye-catchy clothing line.

Adolfo Dominguez
Arenales 1726, Recoleta

The Buenos Aires location of famous Adolfo Dominguez is the place to find all his different lines of clothes for Women, Men as well as clothes for younger folk.

Sofia Forbes Jeans
Libertad 986, Recoleta

For her Jeans, Sofia mainly uses Italian fabric, British buttons, a customized and handmade process from a boutique workshop in Buenos Aires, and all with a French touch and French design.

Portobello Vintage Boutique
Paraguay 1554, Recoleta

Portobello Vintage Boutique caters to the fashion conscious consumer with a wide selection of vintage clothing, from well-known labels to hidden gems. The shop is permanently stocked with a heady mix of local and international brands sourced by its team of experienced experts.

Las Pepas
Santa Fe 1631, Recoleta

Las Pepas features an eclectic assortment of different garments. It is also well known for its wide range of leather products. Be sure to also check out their bags.

Fashion – Menswear

Felix
Gurruchaga 1670, Palermo

Felix is definitely for those who consider themselves hip. If this line was in the United States most would automatically classify it as “what hipsters” wear, but Felix is much better than that.

Hermanos Estebecorena
El Salvador 5960, Palermo

Hermanos Estebecorena (HE) is modern and sophisticated with a focus on detail and function. HE’s philosophy is to be practical and multi-purpose.

TBO (The Beautiful Ones)
Costa Rica 4737, Palermo

The Beautiful Ones has a rock and roll vibe; think of rock and roll t-shirts of your favorite band. But that is not all it is. That styles have a coolness to them, something you wear in the city and feel like you are on the a-list.

Grupo 134
Palermo Honduras 4709

If you value simplicity over flamboyancy, Grupo 134 is your place. With an emphasis on subtle style over craziness, Grupo 134 is perfect for the type of guy who likes to ride in style and stand out in a good way.

Bolivia
Gurruchaga 1581 Palermo

Bolivia can best be described as a place where metrosexual hipsters shop. But don’t like that scare you; no matter what your sense of style is, you will most likely find one thing in Bolivia that you will declare amazing to add to your clothing collection.

Bensimon
Honduras 4876, Palermo

Bensimon is for the casual man who likes to look effortless. The clothes are well designed, fit well and don’t try to stand out.

Bowen
Gurruchaga 1548

You might have noticed a trend with the men’s style in Argentina. A LOT of clothing brands cater to the rock and roll types. Bowen is no exception. Rock and roll style with a London vibe.

El Burgues
Gurruchaga 1743

El Burgues offers a nice contrast to the more rock and roll type styles of other men’s clothing stores, being a more sophisticated and classy clothing outfit.

Shoes – Women

Josefina Ferroni
Armenia 1687, Palermo

For ladies looking for shoes that are elegant but also comfortable, Josefina Ferroni, which is becoming well known world wide, is a good choice.

Chicco Ruiz
Thames 1780, Palermo

Boutique handmade shoes for every princess. And if you want, they will custom make a pair of shoes for you.

Lucila lotti
Malabia 2212, Palermo

With Lucila lotti shoes, the use of patent leather, suede, satin and vynil mixed with original accessories worth together in an elegant and bold way with eclectic combinations and colors. In her first year, Lucila lotti’s designs already caught international attention, with 12 models requested for the fitting of “Sex and the City” the movie.

Mishka
El Salvador 4673, Palermo

Located in an old shoe shop, every pair of Mishka shoes is handmade, paying special attention to it’s quality and finishing, which reveals how the humane factor is behind her manufacturing.

Shoes – Men

28 Sport
Gurruchaga 1481, Palermo

All 28 Sport shoes are recreations of classic leather sports shoes of the 1940s and 1950s. They are incredibly faithful reproductions, down to the brass eyelets, and they make only one pair of each size in each style. They’re amazing shoes – colorful, very well made and a little different – and nice souvenirs as well.

Teran
Thames 1855, Palermo

Teran shoes are much more sophisticated and formal. Any sophisticated man who rolls in style will be able to appreciate the detail and passion put into making Teran shoes.

Leather Goods

Milla
Armenia 1532, Palermo

Milla is a urban brand of leather jackets, handbags and accessories. The combination of design, the quality and innovation of the raw materials make the collections unique.

Jackie Smith
Gurruchaga 1660, Palermo

Jackie Smith’s style can be defined as classical, feminine and romantic, luxurious but within an affordable price range, obsessively caring for details, timeless, with an international and cosmopolitan spirit and a strong concept of collection.

Humawaca
El Salvador 4692, Palermo

Humawaca designs and manufacturers leather accessories that combine the best argentine leather with the world international trends resulting in attractive and functional products.

Murillo 666
Murillo 66, Villa Crespo

If you are looking for leather products on the cheaper side but still of high quality, stores like Murillo 666 and the other outlet stores along Murillo street in Villa Crespo are a good choice.

Rossi & Caruso
Posadas 1387, Recoleta

Designs, textures, shades of colors and attention to details combine to highlight the quality of the best Argentine leather, handbags, suitcases, shoes, jackets and clothes.

Santesteban
Avenida Alvear 1883, Recoleta

For women looking for leather handbags and footwear, Santesteban is a great choice. Each item is delicately handmade with a keen eye for detail. You can be sure the price reflects that!

En la Escalera (No Website)
Defensa 892, San Telmo

For those looking for the perfect leather jacket, En La Escalera is a place hard to beat.

Jewelry

Celedonio
Castex 3225, Palermo

Adored by celebrities around the world and even having been featured on Sex in the City, the Jewelery creations found at Celedonio are world class.

925
Honduras 4808, Palermo

925 currently has on display over 4,000 rings of different styles, made of gold, silver, precious and semiprecious stones and other diverse and varied objects.

Manu Lizarralde
Gorriti 5078, Palermo

Natural gems like aquamarines, emeralds, amethysts or topaces are harmoniously combined with other exotic varieties like star reticulated quartz or Paraiba tourmalines at Manu Lizarralde.

Design & Home Accessories

Calma Chicha
Honduras 4909, Palermo

Calma Chicha has all different kinds of knic-knacks that would make a great addition to any home or apartment. It also features many products made from cowhide. Very original and very fun!

Papelera Palermo
Cabrera 5227, Palermo

For any handmade paper fans out there, Papelera Palermo is a must visit. Choose from many different kinds of custom handmade paper, books, journals origami, etc. This place makes for great gifts.

Sabater Hermanos
Honduras 4945, Palermo

Do you like soap? Well, most people do, at least to keep themselves clean, but Sabater Hermanos takes soap products to the next level. If you like soap stores that get creative, this is your place.

5 Hot New Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Tim Gringo in BA — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:08:21 +0000

Buenos Aires is full of great restaurants and seems like almost everyday there is a new one that has opened up. Time will tell if all these restaurants can stay in business, but at the present moment the demand for culinary options in the city is at an all time high. It is amazing to see so many of them that seem to be always full. But there are also a fair share of new places that you pass by that are dead empty. One would assume that if the economy starts to slow down some of these new establishments will have a hard time staying afloat. But one thing is for sure; no matter what economic climate Porteños are faced with, they will always find a way to eat out with good friends and good company.

Currently restaurants in Buenos Aires are becoming more creative in their style of cuisine, presentation and interior design. Lets take a look at 5 new hot additions to the Buenos Aires restaurant scene.

ALDO’s Vinoteca Y Restorán
San Telmo
Moreno 376

ALDO’s is a dream for wine lovers and is a great place to check out on a night where your quench for thirst outweighs your hunger. With a wine list that contains more than 500 labels which was chosen based on blind tastings completed by a team of sommeliers, the choice of wine is guaranteed to be excellent. And the price is great too; the bottles are sold at retail prices.

ALDO’s is actually an eaterie within a wine store that is located in the Moereno Hotel. And it is pleasant on the eyes as well. It’s interior design was created by Juan Santa Cruz, the same designer who created the incredible worlds of Gran Bar Danzon and Isabel.

You can make reservations for ALDO’s by visiting their website or their facebook page.

La Pescadorita
Palermo Hollywood
Humboldt 1905

For seafood lovers La Pescadorita is a nice addition to the restaurant circuit in a city where good quality seafood is tough to find. Featuring fresh fish presented in a nice variety of ways on a short but sweet menu, Seafood lovers will enjoy their dishes while eating in a trippy, mosiac based interior design.

You can start with a good fried calamari (crisp and with zero oil) or a squid with onions, whose portions are enough to share. The ‘Fish of the Day’ depends what comes in fresh from Mar Del Plata everyday. There is also seafood rice, spaghetti with clams and cockles and some very tasty dessert options. Overall a welcome addition to the city’s limited Seafood options.

Lima Mia
Las Cañitas
Baez 221

Lima Mia is an awesome addition to the ever growing Las Cañitas restaurant scene. As you can maybe tell by the name “Lima Mia”(My Lima), Lima Mia serves up Peruvian food with a slight Japanese-Chinese influence. What makes the Lima Mia experience all the better is the funky and creative interior design. The table cloths have colorful floral prints with stripes and different colors, funky lamps populate the space, chairs are decorated with graffiti and a large aquarium filled with tropical African fish is built into the wall.

The presentation of food compliments the funky design, with tasty cerviches, sushi and woks dominating the menu. Make sure to order cocktail, as the folks behind the bar know how to make some amazing Pisco infusions.

Sanbenito
Belgrano
Federico Lacroze 2136

Located in the traditional district of Belgrano and in a building with a unique architectural style, Sanbenito is a restaurant that offers a modern and elegant take on international cuisine with a refined classical touch.

The restaurant is spacious and well designed and is spread out over two floors with large windows and high ceilings and has a capacity for 150 diners. The outdoor patio has an incredible view and is and surrounded by plants, an ideal setting for lunch and dinner both in the Winter and Summer.

Drinks are well made and with a wine list of over 200 labels, you will be sure to find something great to accompany your meal.

Unik
Palermo Soho
Soler 5132

Unik is based on a very cool idea. Over 3 decades Unik’s owner Marcelo Joulia has been collecting funiture from the 1960′s and 1970′s. Faced with the dilemma of what to do with all of it, he decided to open a restaurant using only furniture from this collection. From the lamps to chair to tables, more than 35 designers are represented in Unik.

So, we know that Unik is a cool place in terms of it’s design, but how does the food line up? Its pricey but very tasty. The menu is pretty simple, featuring 5 appetizers, 5 main dishes and 4 desserts and its style can be considered “Modern Argentine.”

*Know of any other great new restaurants in Buenos Aires? Let us know in the comments below!!

Secret Bars of Buenos Aires: Explore the Hidden Underground

Tim Gringo in BA — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:11:06 +0000

The phenomenon of Secret Bars has been on the rise in Buenos Aires. What is a secret bar? Well, the idea harks back to the prohibition era of the United States and the idea of the “Speakeasy.” A Speakeasy was a place where illegal alcohol was sold, where the entrance was hidden and you probably needed to know somebody in order to be let in.

The Secret Bars of Buenos Aires all take some aspects of a Speakeasy and incorporate them into their essence, whether it be through needing a password to enter or having unmarked doors. Besides the fact that these bars are downright cool, they also make for a great place to take a date or some friends that are in town visiting. Just one more reason why Buenos Aires is one of the best cities in the world! Lets take a look at some of them.

1. Frank’s Bar
Arévalo 1445

Frank’s Bar actually takes the concept of a Speakeasy and puts it into full gear. On a quiet street in Palermo Hollywood, there is actually a small sign in front of the door that says “Frank’s”, but you would never notice it. In order to get into this Speakeasy, you must first past two tests. First, you need to get past the door man (unless you are a group of 20 dudes, you will get in, the doorman is there more for effect and security) by saying whatever it is you want to say. After the door is opened for you, you enter a smaller room where at the other end is a phone booth. If you are just entering the bar and have no idea what this is about, you would probably be very confused. Well, the next step is to enter a secret code into the phone which will open a door and allow you to enter the bar (if you don’t know the code, the doorman will help you).

Once you enter through the phone booth, you will of finally made it into the actual bar, but you might even be more confused as there is a sex shop selling all kinds of toys to your right.

The actual bar is really nice. Well designed and has a high class vibe. The drinks are expensive but are made well. The crowd tends to be little older on the +30 side. On your way out after buying a 40 peso cocktail, you can buy a double sided dildo as well. What more can you ask for in the place?

The Bottom line is that Frank’s is a very cool experience and makes for a great place to bring a date or some friends from out of town visiting. Just make sure to not tell them where the hell you are going and keep it a surprise. They will surely be confused by having to get through a doorman, entering a code into a phonebooth and then passing a sex shop.

2. The Oasis Clubhouse
Costa Rica Between Armenia & Gurruchaga

The Oasis Clubhouse is more of a private social club and is not open to the public, so you will need to know somebody to check it out. It is actually a pimped out house in the middle of Palermo Soho that is used for private parties, events, etc. Not only is the actual house well designed and classy, the clubhouse also features a courtyard and a pool, which make for some great pool parties in the summer.

If you are traveling to Buenos Aires, you can even stay at the Clubhouse and take advantage of all its amenities by staying in one of their guest rooms.

~~3. La Ferona Social Club La Ferona Social Club is no longer. It was recently shut down.~~
Paraguay y Juan B Justo

La Ferona Social Club has a house party vibe, which makes sense as it is literally a house/apartment. The decoration is funky and a DJ is usually playing tunes. Besides people hanging out in the living room, people also have the option of mingling on the outside terrance. Make sure to get there early on the weekends, as La Ferona Social Club tends to fill up quickly. It is also worth nothing it can get so jam packed it is hard to get a drink.

4. Ocho7Ocho
Thames 878

Ocho7Ocho has been around for a long time and one could say it is the grandfather of all the secret Bars in Buenos Aires. Located in Villa Crespo on a quiet street, the entrance is just two big wooden doors with no sign, other than the street address and a doorman. Once you enter, you will notice a large contrast between Ocho7Ocho’s high class stylish environment and its run down entrance on a quiet street. Ocho7Ocho is more low key and a place to chill out rather than to party hard. One could say it has more of a dimly lit restaurant vibe than a bar, as a good part of its inside is taken up by chairs and tables where one can enjoy some food with their cocktails.

But what some people don’t know about Ocho7Ocho is there is actually a secret bar within the secret bar. If you walk all the way back to the end of first bar, there are black doors that lead to another hidden bar. It depends on when you go, but a lot of the times this bar area has been reserved for a private party. But don’t let that stop you from entering. Observe the entrance and see if you can somehow sneak in.

5. Puerta Uno
Juramento 1667

Puerta Uno is a little more off the beaten path and may take some people a longer journey to get to depending on where you live, but it is worth the trek. Located near Barrio Chino in Belgrano, Puerta Uno is on a quiet street with an unmarked door, who’s inside is beautifully designed and decorated (notice a pattern here?). Puerta Uno is a great place for some drinks and also food, as it has a tasty menu. There is also an open-air patio area which is great.

6. Squat House
Secret Location, Varies With Each Party

The idea of Squat House is that it takes over a new location and throws a party. So in essence, it is not a set bar, but a party. The address is not known until the day of the event. DJ’s are always spinning tunes and don’t be surprised to see different types of performers doing strange acts and stunts. If you do enough googling you should be able to get some more information on where the next party will be.

~~7. Dudui~~ Dudui is No Longer.
Costa Rica 5709

Dudui is located in a renovated house in Palermo Hollywood and definitely has a “home-y” feel to it. Dudui is also a “social business club”, which is kind of hard to explain, so let’s see what it says from the actual Dudui website:

The concept of bar DUDUi is an idea of Coen Meischke. He got the idea after reading a book of futurologist Alvin Tofler. The concept of DUDUi is that DUDUi Amigos (the regular customers) help to build the identity of the Bar and in this way will help it grow.
Customers are the soul of a Bar
How do we achieve this? Customers can become a DUDUi Amigo and thus get the opportunity to organize activities in the Bar. All kinds of activities can be organized from showing movies to a fashion show, from fund-raising to product launching. In this way the Bar grows and get’s a soul thanks to it’s customers. Every week different new and regular activities are organized so the programme will be diverse.

Do you know of any other secret bars in Buenos Aires that we left off this list? Let us know in the comments below!!

5 Great Bars to Mingle with Locals in Buenos Aires

Quiero Bagel: A Bagel Delivery Service in Buenos Aires

Tim Gringo in BA — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:00:56 +0000

Have you been craving some bagels while in Buenos Aires? Can’t seem to find any of high quality? Look no further to QuieroBagel.com, a Bagel Delivery service. Quiero Bagel delivers to the entire city with 24 hours notice.

Owner Diego traveled around the United States extensively searching out different bagel recipes, talking to bagel makers in NYC, learning the trade and perfecting the art of making bagels. The results are impressive. When you try a bagel from Quiero Bagel, you don’t think “oh this a good bagel since its the only bagel I can find in Buenos Aires”, they are actually amazing bagels, just as good as anything you would find in the US, if not better.

Some of the flavors include everything, poppy, sesame, cinnamon raisin, garlic, onion, strawberry, banana, coconut … and many more. You can also order Pizza bagels and Zen bagels. The Zen bagel flavors are carrot juice, green tea, linden tea, oat and whole wheat.

For most types of bagels a dozen costs AR$ 50 while some of the more specialty types of bagels cost AR$ 60.

Enjoy!!!

Visit their website: www.quierobagel.com/

Casa Mun in Buenos Aires: An Amazing Closed Door Restaurant Experience

Tim Gringo in BA — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:18:56 +0000

Photo Credit: © Rodrigo Ruiz Ciancia / ro200000.com

What: Casa Mun
Where: Address Provided Day Before Reservation
When: Every Saturday, Reservation Required
Price: 195$AR

Of all the Closed Door Restaurant options that have been springing up in Buenos Aires over the last couple years, Casa Mun has become one of the most popular and for good reason.

Casa Mun serves Asian/California cuisine and is run by Chef Mun who studied under celebrity Chef Makota Okuwa (who has appeared 13 times on the Food Network’s hit television show, Iron Chef America) at his beloved Sashi in Manhattan Beach, California and received formal culinary training at the Sushi Chef Institute.

The Casa Mun experience features Japanese, Korean, Chinese and California cuisine including sushi, sashimi, dim sum, bibimbop and Korean BBQ paired with fine wine. The meal takes place around a grand dining table suited for 12 which allows the opportunity to socialize with the other guest and enjoy the great food together.

The following is a sample menu. The dining experience follows a 5 course tasting format with a different wine accompanying each dish:

Champagne Reception

Ponce Torres Extra Brut

Chinese Wonton Soup

Chef Mun’s signature soup with shrimp, chicken, water chestnuts, bok choi & wontons.

Rama Negra Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Chilean Salmon Sashimi & Maki Sushi

California Rolls

Rama Negra Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Fiery Fish Tacos

Korean style fish tacos with “gochujang” sauce, cilantro relish, julienned cabbage, and jalapeño wasabi guacamole on fresh corn tortillas.

AVE Premium Torrontés 2009

Spicy Pork with Chinese Celery

Marinated with Taiwanese red pepper paste and lemon honey and topped with Japanese radish and cucumber.

Rama Negra Malbec 2009

Torta Alfajor Rogel

Green Tea

———————————————————–

Casa Mun usually only operates on Saturdays, so it is important to make a reservation a couple weeks in advance. If there is a high demand, Casa Mun will sometimes add another dinner on Friday night, but don’t expect this.

If you are looking for a great place to take a date or to take someone as a surprise, Casa Mun is a great choice. For example, I took my girlfriend here as a surprise for her birthday. It was definitely an amazing surprise for her, as she had no idea where we were going. As we entered the unmarked building where Casa Mun is located, we entered a hip, stylish “house” where we were greeted with Champagne by a hostess. As we drank our champagne and mingled with the other guests, my girlfriend still didn’t have any idea what the place was. It was only until we sat down at the table and were served our first meal did she realize what was going on. And then to top it off, we ate and drank 5 incredibly delicious dishes and wines!

Chef Mun changes his menu around each month, so expect something new each time you go. This is an incredibly unique dining experience in Buenos Aires and is highly recommended!!

Reservations:
To make a reservation send an email to “info (at) casamun dot com” or call them at:
ARG 15-3350-0092
US 323-325-8861

The Office: The Best Burgers in Buenos Aires

Tim Gringo in BA — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:01:34 +0000

The Office: Arévalo 3031, Las Cañitas, Buenos Aires

There comes a time where one craves a damn good burger. In Buenos Aires, a good burger is hard to come by. Sure, making the random trip to Burger King or McDonald’s is sufficient for some, but most of us are looking for more.

Fortunately The Office has come to our rescue. After being open for only around 8 or so months, The Office has become one of the most popular restaurant/bars in Buenos Aires and for good reason. Not only is it a great place to grab a drink with your friends, it also has the best burgers in Buenos Aires.

The image you see above is the BBQ Bacon burger. It has 2 incredibly tasty onion rings, a special sauce, bacon, cheese and a homemade bun. One might eat a burger in Buenos Aires and say, “yea, that was a pretty good burger, FOR Buenos Aires.” The point I have made to friends about the burgers at The Office is that it is not only a good burger for Buenos Aires, it would also be an AWESOME burger back home in the States as well.

Check out their incredible Burger Menu:

The Office Website

The Office on Facebook

The Office on Twitter

Spice Up John Cusack with La Boca Roja Hot Sauce in Buenos Aires

Tim Gringo in BA — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Rumor has it John Cusack is currently in Buenos Aires shooting a new film. He probably has everything while spending his time down here. Asados, empanadas, hot woman, disco dancing, 80′s music, etc. But there is obviously something missing and deep down he probably knows it. There is this little voice in John Cusack’s head telling him, “hot sauce, hot sauce, hot sauce” but he hasn’t realize it yet.

Well, the wild and crazy men of Ya Ya Bean have made it their duty to make John Cusack realize that little voice in his head is sane and rational. He really really needs some hot sauce. And hey! How convenient, Ya Ya Bean makes their own hot sauce, La Boca Roja which you can order right here in Buenos Aires and they will deliver to your door.

Ya Ya Bean has made it their mission to deliver their La Boca Roja hot sauce personally to John Cusack while he is Buenos Aires. Read about their mission here.

The idea is to bombard John Cusack on twitter ( @johncusack ) urging him to buy some hot sauce from @theREALyayabean. It also helps to use the hash tag #spiceupjohncusack.

So folks, if you are on twitter, let your voices be heard! Let John Cusack know that the little voice in his head telling him he needs to buy hot sauce is for real!

The gentlemen are giving themselves a two week deadline to deliver the hot sauce to John Cusack and are documenting their progress every step of the way on youtube. Support the cause!!!

La Boca Roja: An Amazing Hot Sauce in Buenos Aires

Mexican Food in Buenos Aires: Where to Eat

Tim Gringo in BA — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:08:24 +0000

Every Gringo, especially from the US, is going to get a craving for some good Mexican food down here in Buenos Aires. There is actually a pretty decent selection of Mexican food in Buenos Aires if you know where to look and its getting more popular every year, resulting in new restaurant openings.

Mexican restaurants will also satisfy a Gringo’s craving for spicy food, as many of the restaurants have a solid selection of hot sauces and salsas.

The following Mexicans restaurants are places I have personally eaten at and can give an honest opinion about. I hope to explore more Mexican restaurants in Buenos Aires, but this should give everyone a good list of places to check out. Enjoy!!

La Fabrica Del Taco
Gorriti 5062
Palermo Soho

By far my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Buenos Aires and possibly my favorite restaurant in general, La Fabrica del Taco serves up super tasty tacos reminding me of the best taco stands from my hometown of Chicago. But the catch is, it isn’t just a hole in the wall taco stand, it is a highly decorated and well designed restaurant complete with Mexican wrestler memorabilia and neon lights. Its the best of both worlds as you can choose to sit inside for a normal restaurant dining experience or sit outside along the sidewalk on their “Taco Bar” for more of a fast food vibe. On top of that, it offers a great selections of salsas to satisfy your spicy craving.

El Salta De Las Ranas
Rodriguez Peña 1164
Recoleta

El Salta De Las Ranas is located in Recoleta on Rodriguez Peña right next to other great restaurants like Cumaná and Las Cholas. Its a restaurant with 2 floors so it usually isn’t hard showing up and getting a seat right away on weekends. While in general the food at El Salta De Las Ranas is pretty average, what really stands out is their Fajitas. A lot of Mexican restaurants in Buenos Aires don’t offer Fajitas while El Salta De Las Ranas does and they are fantastic. It worth going to for the Fajitas alone. Their homemade tortilla chips, which are free, are also very tasty.

California Burrito Company
Multiple Locations

Well known among the expat crowd is California Burrito Company. Started by Gringos from the United States a few years back, CBC has done quite well in the Argentine Market. The easiest way to describe California Burrito Company is to think of Chipotle in the US. It is basically the exact same concept. Fast food Mexican where you have a choice of what meat and toppings you want to put in your burrito or tacos. A great place if you are craving fast and tasty Mexican food.

Tres Tiros Burritos
Segui 3545
Palermo

I recently ordered a Burrito from Tres Tiros Burritos using Buenos Aires Delivery and I was quite satisfied with it. The meat had a great flavor while the melted cheddar cheese was just as tasty. This is a great place if you are looking for a quick burrito to fill you up and its easy to do using Buenos Aires Delivery. I will be ordering burritos from this place quite frequently in the future I imagine.

El Gato Viudo Burritos
Viomonte 985
Centro

Opening up just around a year ago, El Gato Viudo Burritos has made a place for itself in the Centro as a great lunch stop for office workers. Cheap for what you get and quite tasty, it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Centro around lunchtime. Be aware that El Gato Viudo is only open until till around 6pm as its main customer base are office workers on lunch.

Xalapa
El Salvador 4800
Palermo Soho

Xalapa is one of the more well known Mexican Restaurants in Palermo Soho. A restaurant and not a place to get something quick, Xalapa is also expensive compared to other Mexican Restaurants. Its not my favorite, but the food is decent and it is worth a visit to try out and see if it is your style. Nothing really stands out in my memory from eating here around 3 or 4 times.

Cielito Lindo
El Salvador 4999
Palermo Soho

A Restaurant like Xalapa and Vera Cruz (see below), I have eaten here a couple times and nothing really stands out in my memory taste wise. I would suggest giving it a try for yourself and see if you like it.

Vera Cruz
Godoy Cruz 1819
Palermo Soho

See above comments about Cielito Lindo and Xalpa. I have eaten here a couple times but nothing really stood out for me. Check it out and see if you like it!!

Lo De Pancho (No Website)
Sanchez de Bustamante 1472
Palermo
Delivery: 4966-2867

You might have noticed a trend here that I much prefer Mexican places in Buenos Aires that are more “fast food” that serve Burritos, Tacos, etc, as opposed to actual sit down restaurants. Lo De Pancho is another one of these Fast Food/Delivery Mexican places to add to the list. The tacos are really tasty but be careful; they are filled so high with ingredients the taco falls apart and you have to eat them with a knife and fork. The burritos are also really good as well as the quesadillas. Lo De Pancho does delivery until 12 every night and the restaurant is open 24 hours.

Hopefully this small list is a good place for you to get started. Currently Guía Oleo, the most popular food guide for Buenos Aires, lists 53 different Mexican restaurants in the city, so this list is just the start. Get out and explore some of the other Mexican restaurants in Buenos Aires!

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for great Mexican food in Buenos Aires, please let us know below in the comments!!

Buenos Aires Parrillas: The Ultimate Guide

Tim Gringo in BA — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:02:44 +0000

Well, here ya go. A giant list of 25 of the best parrillas in Buenos Aires. The goal of this guide is to provide you with a list that is quick and easy to view all in one convenient place. You will see some familiar names on this list and others you will never of heard of. The Parrillas here provide many options depending on in what price range you are looking to spend and what atmosphere you would like to dine in.

The Price ranges are listed as $$$$$$ being the most expensive and $ being the least expensive.

Lo de Rosendo
Almagro
Castro Barros 502
$$$
www.loderosendo.com.ar

While once a popular joint for cab drivers, new owners decided to remodel the place among other changes and it has since become a popular parrilla in Almagro for family and friends. Make sure to head over on the weekends where the chef cooks suckling pig and lamb.

Cabaña Las Lilas
Puerto Madero
Alicia Moreau De Justo 516
$$$$$$
www.laslilas.com

One of the most famous Buenos Aires Parrillas, Cabaña Las Lilas is high class. All meat comes from their very own ranch specializing in bovine genetics. With a great wine list of 560 labels, a sophisticated atmosphere and top notch service, expect to spend a lot of money here. If you can imagine an American version of an expensive and classy steakhouse, Cabaña Las Lilas is the Argentine equivalent.

Don Julio
Palermo Soho
Guatemala 4691
$$$$
No Website

With Parrillero Pepe Sotelo in charge of the grill every night at Don Julio, expect some quality steaks with a good mix of fat, tenderness and taste. A great parrilla to enjoy while in Palermo Soho, make sure try the Chorizo Don Julio, which is sliced with mozzarella and tomato.

El Bonpland
Palermo Hollywood
Bonpland 2113
$$$$
www.elbonpland.com

El Bonpland is a great parrilla option in Palermo Hollywood. While having a “palermo” feel to it, El Bonpland still retains the vibe of a typical neighborhood parrilla. Opened not long ago in 2008, the owners of El Bonpland make it a point to cut their cuts of Ojo de Bife and Bife de Chorizo with a spoon, as they do at La Brigada in San Telmo.

El Mirasol de Boedo
Almagro
Av. Boedo 136
$$$$$
www.elmirasol.com.ar

One of the more classic parrillas in Buenos Aires, El Mirasol de Boedo was founded in 1967 and stills retains its classic look and feel not only in the atmosphere but also in how the waiters present themselves. If anybody is up for a challange, El Mirasol de Boedo offers a 1kg baby beef to anybody who thinks they can handle it!

La Celeste
Palermo Hollywood
Bonpland 1944
$$$
www.parrillalaceleste.com.ar

La Celeste is a great parrilla to check out as it is Uruguayan. Owners Carlos Quevedo comes from Uruguay and makes sure his menu highlights the many wonderful Uruguayan delights like Chivito. The walls are covered with Uruguayan artifacts and they even try to convince you that Carlos Gardel was born in Uruguay, a highly debated topic.

El Parrillón
Puerto Madero
Av. Giralt and Migone
$
No Website

If you come to Buenos Aires and don’t eat at one of the Carritos (food stand Parrillas), you are making a mistake! Not only are they cheap, but they are incredibly tasty, especially their sandwiches. One of the more well known Carritos is El Parrillón, which along with many other Carritos, resides along the La Costanera Sur in Puerto Madero. If you are looking for a nice place to each lunch outside, check out El Parrillión or many of the other Carritos along La Costanera Sur.

El Pobre Luis
Núñez/Belgrano
Quesada 1699
$$$$
No Website

Owner Luis Acuna founded El Pobre Luis back in 1986 and since then it has become a must visit Parrilla in Núñez. Originally from Uruguay, Luis is known for bringing over the Uraguayan style grill and adapting it to the Buenos Aires Parrilla. Being in Núñez, El Pobre Luis might seem a bit far away, but its not as far away as it may seem, especially if you are exploring Belgrano around Chinatown or going to River Plate.

Fervor
Recoleta
Posadas 1519
$$$$$
No Website

Although not a traditional Parrilla, Fevor is a great option as it is a Steak and Seafood restaurant, something not too common in Buenos Aires. Featuring a fish of the day, Fevor is a great choice if you have some friends who don’t eat meat but do eat fish.

Antigua Querencia
Almagro
Yatay 602
$$
No Website

A small unpretentious Parrilla with a friendly neighborhood feel. Small, with 2 dining rooms that can fit up to 40 people, Antigua Querencia serves affordable, high quality meat.

Gran Parrilla del Plata
San Telmo
Chile 594
$$$$
www.parrilladelplata.com

Situated in a building that used to be a Carnicería called Gran Carniceria del Plata, Gran Parrilla del Plata had an easy choice for a name! Gran Parrilla del Plata features old relics from when the building space was a Carnicería like a beef-cutting saw, wooden doors from the cold chambers they kept the meat in, the counter which is now the bar and hooks and railings that would move the beef carcuses. A great and unique parrilla.

La Brigada
San Telmo
Estados Unidos 465
$$$$$
No Website

Arguably the best Parrilla in Buenos Aires depending on who you ask along with La Cabrera and Cabaña Las Lilas, La Brigada definitely lives up to its name. The waiters cut the meat with a spoon, great care is taken in suggesting wines to complement what steak you order and the chimichurri is out of this world. A must visit.

Las Nazarenas
Retiro
Reconquista 1132
$$$$
www.lasnazarenas.com.ar

Las Nazarenas features chefs in traditional gaucho attire and a wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles. Tradition is what is focused on most at Las Nazarenas and it shows both in atmosphere and the taste of meat.

La Cabrera
Palermo Soho
Cabrera 5127
$$$$
www.parrillalacabrera.com.ar

Yes, you have read about it in every guide book and website you read. Is it worth the visit? Yes. Check it out.

La Chacra
Centro
Cordoba 941
$$$$$
www.lachacra.com.ar

Jorge Luis Borges used to frequent this classic Parrilla in el Centro ordering the Bife de Lomo with potatoes. Since opening in 1976, meat suppliers have only changed 3 times. Although a bit overpriced, taking advantage of the many tourists who walk down the streets of the Centro each day, La Chacra is worth a visit.

La Dorita de Enfrente
Palermo Hollywood
$$$
www.parrillaladorita.com.ar/

Another Parrilla in Palermo Hollywood managing to retain a down to earth neighborhood feel while embracing the trendiness of Palermo, La Dorita de Enfrente is a great, affordable option. Make sure to try their choricampi, which is chorizo wrapped in a homemade bread.

Don Zoilo
Villa Crespo
Honorio Pueyrredon 1406
$$$
www.don-zoilo.com.ar

Don Zoilo is a parrilla simple and classy. With a good choice of appetizers and a great cut of Bife de Chorizo, Don Zoilo remains a popular parrilla for locals in Villa Crespo. It is almost always busy and doesn’t take reservations, so keep this in mind before you go!

La Posta de Antonio
Barracas
Jovellanos 919
$$$$
www.lapostadeantonio.com.ar

There’s nothing to fancy about La Posta de Antonio. It is pretty much looks and feels like your typical Porteño restaurant. White table cloths, waiters dressed traditionally. What makes it stand out is its quality of meat and the accompanying dishes.

Gran Parrilla Cramer
Villa Urquiza
Av. Ricardo Balbin 2782
$$$$
No Website

Started by 3 brothers in 1986 who were working in the car business and were looking for a change, Gran Parrilla Cramer is a classic Buenos Aires parrilla. The provoleta is great here and also make sure to try the french fries!

La Taberna de Roberto
Boedo
Inclan and Castro Barros
$$
No Website

Giant portions at cheap prices, La Taberna de Roberto is everything you want in a parrilla. And another bonus: insanely awesome french fries!!

Miranda
Barrio: Palermo Hollywood
Costa Rica 5602
www.parrillamiranda.com

Tired of eating at restaurants in Palermo that put style over substance (substance meaning the taste of the food)? Miranda is able to provide a trendy stylish atmosphere with great steaks to back it up. If you are looking for a more hip, stylish parrilla, Miranda is your choice.

Las Huazas
Belgrano
Arcos 1984
$$$$
No Website

Las Huazas can be best described as a “modern” Parrilla, equipped with a high tech open red-hot charcoal grill. This fusion of traditional parrilla techniques with modern cooking equipment make for a great combination. Make sure to try the Proveleta Las Huazas which comes with ham tomato, onion and peppers. The cheese and oregano baked potatoes are very tasty as well as the french fries.

La Raya
Palermo
Ortiz de Ocampo 2566
$$$$$
No Website

Originally started around 68 years ago in the barrio of Avellaneda, La Raya moved to its current location in Palermo 18 years ago. Started by Carlos Vinagre, a man who established many of the customs and techniques now used it all parrillas in Buenos Aires, La Raya is now managed by his daughter. A must visit parrilla in Buenos Aires.

Lo de Charly
Villa Ortuzar
Av Alvarez Thomas y Donado
$$
www.parrillalodecharly.com.ar

One of the best “cheap” parrillas in the city, Lo de Charly serves up tasty plates 24 hours a day and is packed on weekends and in the summers. The sidewalk is filled with as many tables as it can handle. Grab a group of friends, make a trip up to Lo de Carly (its really not that far away, just right up Alverez Thomas) and enjoy one of the most popular “local” hangouts in the city. Pretty good for a place that was started as a kiosko back in the early 90′s, no?!?!

Los Cabritos
Mataderos
Av Juan Bautista Alberdi 6159
$$$
www.loscabritosparrilla.com.ar

If you make it down to Mataderos one weekend for the Gaucho fair, make sure to drop by Los Cabritos, an iconic parrilla of the Mataderos neighborhood.

Special Thanks to Pietro Sorba, who’s book Parrillas De Buenos Aires was a great resource in exploring many different Parrillas in Buenos Aires that I had never heard of.

Buenos Aires Overrated Tourist Attractions: 5 Places You Don’t Need to Go

Tim Gringo in BA — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:19:34 +0000

Like every big city, Buenos Aires has many popular tourist attractions that can be found in every guide book or website you read about it. Many times as tourists, we go to popular tourists sites that are labeled “must sees” only to come away feeling disappointed and misguided. This post is not to say you shouldn’t visit any of the places listed, but rather to analyze if they really are a “must see” destination like so many websites and guide books say they are.

Caminito in La Boca

When people pick up a guide book to Buenos Aires, one of the first images they see is usually the colorful houses that populate the small area of La Boca, know as “Caminito.” Caminito is usually defined as a must see destination while you are in Buenos Aires. But is it really worth making the trip to Caminito?

Nope, unless you want to be bombarded by a million people trying to sell you things, eat at an overpriced restaurant all the while feeling like you are in an amusement park as opposed to a historical neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Due to its growth as a tourist destination, the colorful buildings of Caminito have started to feel less authentic and more like a movie set.

Some people may find Caminito worth going to and if you have the time, sure, check it out. But if you come to Buenos Aires, don’t feel like you can’t miss it. All of my friends who have visited me in Buenos Aires have commented that they really didn’t need to go.

However, if you are an avid photographer, I would suggest a trip to Caminito and its nearby streets, as there are many great photo opportunities.

MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires)

For me, a trip to a new city is all about walking around and exploring new neighborhoods. I don’t really need to check out any museums unless they are a MUST. But as a person who generally enjoys Art Museums, I found MALBA to be quite boring with a limited collection, not worth its admission of 22 pesos. Please note, this is just one man’s opinion, as many people love MALBA.

The question is, unless you are an Art aficionado or very interested in Latin American art, is MALBA a “must see” like the Art Institute of Chicago or MOMA in New York? Nope.

Puerto Madero

Have you ever been to Schaumburg, Illinois? It is a northwest suburb of Chicago. It has a TGIF Fridays next to a Hooters. It also has many corporate campuses and shopping centers. Sounds like a lot of other suburbs in the states right? Well then, if you have been to places like that, you won’t be missing anything if you don’t go to Puerto Madero, unless, you have an urgent need to eat some extreme jalepeño poppers at TGIF Fridays or some wings and Hooters…..

Built up over the last 15 years, Puerto Madero has transformed from a rusty dock area to a ‘let’s-turn-the-dock-area-into-an-apartment-tower-luxury-hotel-and-international-corporation-office-precinct’ place. Which is to say it lacks character and looks like any city in the world.

If you are into high scale bars and clubs, checking out Puerto Madero at nighttime could be worth it. But to visit just as a place to check out and walk around, it can be missed.

El Zanjón

This place is not as well known as many of the places on this list, but it can be found as a must see recommendation in San Telmo in many guide books and websites.

What is El Zanjón? It is an old house with tunnels from the early settlement of Buenos Aires that has been renovated as a museum. The tunnels provide a glimpse into the city”s architecture layers. At first glance El Zanjón sounds really interesting and was the reason I decided to check it out.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. What they don’t tell you in the guide books is that this place is used as a banquet hall for companies, organizations, etc and that this key fact influences the tour they give you. The tour comes across as a big advertisement to use the place as your next banquet hall. While learning little about the history of the building, I learned more about the kitchen where the chefs prepare the food for the banquets, how certain parts of the building are used to serve appetizers and wine at the banquets and how a certain room is used as a dance floor complete with modern dj equipment for the banquets.

The main selling point is the tunnels, which makes it sound like you are going to actually explore abandoned tunnels under the ground, as in something you would see on a ghost hunters television program. When in reality, since the tunnels have been renovated with modern lighting and other upgrades, you just feel like you are in any other museum.

Colonia Del Sacramento

We have written two articles already which should help you decide about Colonia. One about why you shouldn’t go to Colonia and one about why you should. These should help you make up your mind if it is worth it or not to make the trip across the river!!

8 Great Places to Visit in Argentina