Buenos Aires is the one city where it’s possible to go around the world in 8 blocks; one minute you’re on Peru, then next United States, then Sicilly. Walking down the more bohemian quarter of Palermo, gazing through the vast array of boutique stores with all manner of pretty things for sale, I finally found La Cabrera, a highly regarded purveyor of local and traditional cuisine. I was told, however, that they were closed for a private function, but that I could still get some lunch at their sister restaurant – one that was 4 doors down from them! It goes without questioning, that having two restaurants serving the same menu side by side is marginally indicative of its popularity. Once again, a menu with all manner of meat was flashed before me, as was a lengthy wine list that luckily had a few wines available by the carafe, but it wasn’ t quite meat that I was after on this occasion and I soon spotted my next victim.
Colectivo Felix, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is, no doubt a wondrous city, and one that is a walkers heaven, with its countless streets decorated in the most picturesque graffiti, to its numerous restaurants serving the finest steak and Malbec. However, after days of eating meat and all sorts of offal, the desire for something a bit different gets stronger and stronger. Luckily for me, a fellow foodie had previously visited Buenos Aires and been to a supper club by the name of Colectivo Felix and raved about it (here they’re known as ‘closed door restaurants’) especially as there was no meat served during the course of the meal. As much of a shock as it may seem to most people, it is quite possible to escape the lure of juicy Argentinian beef and there’s no place better than Felix to experience Argentine cuisine without it. The darling of chef Diego Felix and Sanra Ritten, the food here is nothing short of spectacular, dining in the courtyard of their house with a bunch of people who share a love for all things culinary.
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El Bistro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why not! Getting the most out of a city’s culinary force is always done by dining across the spectrum, from little hole in the walls to fine dining, and I certainly am not going to pass up the opportunity to experience food from an El Bulli graduate. Located in the stunning Faena hotel, El Bistro is a visual treat, being all decked out in white with tinges of red, with unicorn heads gazing upon you as you feast your way through the evening. One almost feels like Alice in Wonderland! Tasting menu? Yes please!
La Brigada, Buenos Aires, Argentina
This is THE land of meat and honey! With steak of legendary renown and, of course, the wine needs no introductions either. Buenos Aires is a city that absorbs you, falling more and more in love with it with each passing day. As far as the food is concerned, there is an eatery to suit every taste, but really, what one should be eating, is all matter of the moo-cow, and there’s one restaurant that will put even Fergus Henderson to shame when nose to tail eating is concerned. La Brigada in the neighbourhood of San Telmo is full to the brim of locals who come here for the only offering on the menu – carne! Not to mention the astounding wine list of bottles from every bodega in the country. The restaurant too, is a delightfully cosy and comfortable space full of pictures and football memorabilia and extremely friendly waiters who carve the meat with a spoon (yes! a spoon – tender beef or sharp spoons? I think the first option is definitely the case!)
