Katmandu

Argentotally nice for a change.

Cordoba and Bulnes? Something like that, Palermo

So we were really excited to try this place, and I think it was worth a try. We had nan and rice and lamb vindaloo and chicken marsala. It was really good, we liked it a lot, it seemed very authentic and there were a lot of couples there, so it gave off a bit of a romantic vibe. But it really isn't romantic. It just seemed that way. We were also reminded how sensitive our stomachs are now that we have been without any kind of spices in our systems, because we both enjoyed our meals for a second time the following day, and by "enjoyed" I mean "experienced," and in both cases it was a sort of desperate sprint, so something to consider, maybe not a meal to have before getting on a train or taking a scenic bike tour... But we both agreed we would go back. Shows how desperate we are for a little variety, huh?

Plaza Serrano-The Whole Damn Thing

Argentakin' me to the cleaners!

Plaza Serrano, Palermo Viejo

OK so if you are a tourist you are going to hear about Plaza Serrano as this cool place to go, there are tons of places with outdoor seating and cute little cafes etc., but it is such a rip-off I have to warn you, you are NOT getting your money's worth! First of all, they all have table service, and then the sandwiches and pizzas etc. are all going to be at least 3 pesos more than they should be. That may not seem like a lot to a tourist, which is why they are all there (we hear more english than spanish when we walk by most of the time...) but as someone who works for and lives on pesos, trust me you are being raked over the coals. Now, if you are going to have like a beer or a coffee, ok, you are going to be paying relatively the same price as you would anywhere else. But for the rest, and it's just not that good. We have eaten basically around the square, with Tazz being the worst, hands down! and nothing is worth going back to. If you have time to spend go to the plaza for a quick tour of the people selling stuff, then head a little off the square and try a restaurant on a side street. You will hear a lot more spanish and the food will be worth the price. Trust me.

Cumana

Argenterrific!

Rodriguez Pena and Santa Fe, Recoleta

This place is always packed, and for good reason. The food is cheap and sooo tasty. They have all the typical dishes, like empanadas and casuelas, which are like little clay pots cooked with good stuff inside-we have tried the lentils, the wild rice with mushrooms and cheese, and of course the shepard's pie. It's not actually called that on the menu, but that's what it is and there is nothing better, especially on one of those days where it is raining of you just need some comfort food...

The salads look good, though I ordered one and the "dressing" turned out to be like two handfulls of mayonnaise piled on top. Ew! It was unscrapable, too, so Levi had to be brave and eat it all. He actually liked it, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but I would get the caprese next time, it looks awesome, and it's what everyone around us was getting, so we should have taken the clue.

The place next door to Cumana is there to take in the overflow and is owned by the same people, but this one has a parilla whereas Cumana could easily be mistaken for a vegetarian restaurant. (Do not mistake this for one of those bland veggie-only barfy bran places, this place has flavor!!!) However the place next door has no air conditioning so beware, especially on a hot day, not to sit too close to the parilla, or prepare to feel like you have been in a sauna. It just does not cool down!!!

Last note, the boy's bathroom in Cumana is located next to their oven, so again, you will feel like you are in a sauna, try to make your trips as quick as possible!

Olsen

Argentastic!
Gorriti on the other side of the railroad tracks prob. near Fitz Roy or Bonpland, Palermo Hollywood

Oh Olsen, how we love thee!!! This is a little Norwegian restaurant, a total change of pace from the regular old steak and fries kind of parillas that Argentina is filled with. The bread you start with is bagels-bagels! Where did these come from???!!! There are 2 sauces, a fishy one and a veggie one, both are great though you will have to take the fish one from me, Levi won't touch the stuff! The food is also great, we tried a few of the different appetizers, from the meat and cheese plate to oysters and all received a thumbs up. The best, though, is the entree of lamb with potato and this to-die-for sour cream/cucumber dill type slaw, it is just amazing. Another time levi tried the chicken, it was a little dry but still good. Note: Argentines seem to have trouble with chicken, they just don't seem to know how to cook it in comparison to other red meats and it is usually quite dry and not fantastic. Anyway it is great, a real treat, and a good place to sit with a group of friends at the end of a long week.

As for the waiters, they are all bilingual and they really like to speak in english if they sense that you are not from here, no matter how hard you try to answer in spanish and make it clear that you are able to comunicate in spanish. They will ignore that fact.

The wine selection is pretty good, though we had this weird incident another time where the waiter spilled my wine then refilled it with some shitty house wine and when I said it was a different wine he flat out denied it and instead of causing a huge scene I simply ignored the glass they brought, but it was a shame as the first one was very good and it made me remember, once again, that I am in a foreign restaurant and I must play by their rules, so I get the wine they give me. Whatever. I was pissed at the time, especially since it was Levi's birthday, but what can you do? That's another thing, this place is not cheap so it is definitley someplace where you should expect to spend your pesos but also go hungry and don't be afraid to linger, the place is open late!

I have also heard they have a good Sunday brunch, though I haven't been, but lox and bagels are probably on the menu...yum!

Bereber

Argentastic!!!
Malabia and Nicaragua, Palermo Viejo

OK now if you want a really good meal that is unlike the other restaurants in BA come to this one. Moroccan food!!! The starters we had the last time we were there were the chicken skewers whih were awesome, almost melted off the stick, and the peanut sauce was really tasty. Now, the waiters have a tendency to take the olives when they bring you your food or the appetizers-don't let them do that! The olives are just too good!

Main course I first had the lamb with pesto which was awesome, then the last time I tried the vegetables with cous cous. Levi has had the lamb and cous cous both times and no wonder, it's great. The best part I think id that the bowl comes with a little pitcher of like cjiken broth or something and then you also get your own bowl of spices-really just jalapeños soaked in a little oil that you can add to make your dish as spicy as you want, and trust me you can make it spicy!!! Definitely a nostril-cleaner!!!

The wine list is good but by the bottle they can be pretty pricey. For the adventurous, or those not in a skirt, there are seats on the floor where you an sit, and there's a huka in the window which I am not sure wehter of not you can use, but it might be fun to try! Also there is balcony seating on the roof, but I think you need a reservation for that. Anyway, great for a date or for a different kind of food for a change!!!

Guadalajara la Noche

Argentry another one.
Garruchaga and Nicaragua, Palermo Viejo

Now, I have to start off by saying that finding any spice of any kind is difficult in this bland as bland can be town, where salt is literally considered a spice and I have never seen black pepper on a table, so the prospect of some good Mexican food, especially for this California-born burrito and salsa addicted girl is quite exciting, but unfortunately this place is quite a disappointment. And I really wanted to like this place, it has a giant sombrero over the door and a mariachi band on friday nights, but as for the food we just can't recommend it.

The first clue that we weren't going to be floored was the basket of tortill chips-stale! The salsa was just ok, and the menu was limited. The margaritas were nothing special, either. We of course ordered the guacamole, because we are big fans of it, and we have been making our own for a while so it was nice to try someone else's. Well, because we make our own, we know the problems that can plague someone in Argentina who wants to make a decent batch-- things like not very hot jalapeños and a lack of limes, the second problem usually the biggest dilemma and somewhat detrimental to a truly tasty dish. We have in the past resorted to lemons which actually proved to be more than fine, but it seems, in a pinch, that the people in this restaurant turned to another citrus fruit. Yes, in their guacamole we tasted oranges. Ew. We tried and tried to fix it, adding salt and dumping the salsa onto the plate, but it was of no use. The worst part is, the little dish cost us 12 pesos, highway robbery!!!

The rest of the food was just ok, typical but nothing great. Overall I would say there are a lot of other places you should try before going to this one, unless you really like mariachi music, then have a beer and listen for a bit before eating out at another location.

El Lamambre

Argentastic!!!
Garruchaga between El Salvador and Costa Rica, Palermo Viejo

Ok so I have to start this blog with my favorite restaurant in Buenos Aires, and it is El Lamambre. This little place always has the best lunches, is light and airy, has fantastic service, friendly and helpful, the bread basket that starts the meal has killer foccacia and the price is right. Every day there is a Menu del Dia and this can fange from grilled chicken with a side salad to griled fish, pasta dishes, beef with potatoes, and the 15 peso price includes a drink (usually wine, water or a soda) and a coffee after your meal. Note: I have only once had the coffee, I am usually too full after my delicious meal. There is no table charge so you pay exactly the 15 pesos, but this also means that the waitresses work for tips so you must leave at least 10 percent, though more is better.
They also have WiFi which you can use and they will not bug you to move for as long as you are there.

The menu items are also great, salads and sandwiches especially. However, what you order may not be exactly what comes, so you are best ordering the medu del dia, or else be open to what the people in the kitchen have on hand. Come on, that's part of the charm! And it's always tasty, even if not exactly what's expected...

Now, I must admit I have had a bad meal there, but it wasn't their fault. I ordered the remolacha risotto with pesto, not knowing that remolacha was beets, and got a hot-pink risotto with green oil on top. It tasted totally fine but the colors made me ill. Still, I give this one my top rating, best place to eat lunch on a Saturday afternoon!!!