Buenos Aires Hotels/Food
 

Our first visit to Argentina. Being Australians we are interested in "Beefsteak and Burgundy". Advice on good local restaurants that specialize in Argentinean Food including beef and local wines would be greatly appreciated. Also any knowledge of standout accomodation at the luxury end of the spectrum without being glitzy or over the top would also greatly assist with our planning. Thanks a lot.

I have eaten at Cabana Las Lilas in Puerto Madero and must say that my steak, medallion de lomo, was one of the best pieces of meat I have ever eaten. I also recommend the Carrasal 2000 cabernet. This restaurant is considered the best steak house in Argentina. It is upscale, without being a bit pretentious. Most of the men throw their jackets over the backs of their chairs and roll up their sleeves, but you can tell that only the richest Portenos dine here. Lots of Gucci loafers and Rolex watches. Have fun in beautiful Buenos Aires.

ThinGorjus,

What was the cost of your meal at the Cabana Las Lilas? Do we need to a jacket?

Hi,
Although ThinGorjus was wonderful and most helpful to me before we went to Buenos Aires, I must differ with her about Cabanas Las Lilas. Yes, the service was terrific, the ambiance was entriguing, the "beautiful people" frequent the restaurant and all else was most enjoyable there, my husband and I found the steaks rather tough. We had much better steaks at all the other restauants that we went to, especially those smaller places around the corner from our hotel (Park Plaza Kempenski in Recoleta district). However, all else about Las Lilas was very enjoyable.
Judy
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No, you don't have to wear a jacket or tie at Cabana Las Lilas. I can't comment about whatsit's steak being tough. My steak was fantastic.

I am a HE, not a SHE. Blimey.

For heaven's sake, get out of Recoleta and Puerto Madero in your search for the perfect steak....there are very good choices in these two locations...but they are also oriented toward tourists....try La Corte in Las Canitas (a trendy, hip part of town...adjoining the Polo Grounds) Arevalo 2977....tel 4775-0999. Them menu here is limited, but outstanding and the wine list is extensive....dinner for two about 100 pesos, including everything.....

We ate at Cabanas Las Lilas last week and very much enjoyed our meal. For 2 steaks, 2 sides veggies, 2 coffees, one dessert, a bottle of wine, we paid around $180 pesos - yes, expensive for Buenos Aires but at$60 US dollars I thought it was a good deal. Our steaks were overcooked because my stupid guidebook gave us the wrong translation for "medium rare" (so it was my fault)but they were still wonderfully tasty and juicy. At the beginning of the meal they bring a tray of small appetizers (olives, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, yummy toppings for bread) that is included so you don't need another appetizer. Our service was actually just OK, but I would still recommend you go there, just go to some other "non-touristy" steak restaurants as well. I would recommend the Las Caninas area of Belgrano for an evening meal, as it is a lively and beautiful area for strolling as well as eating and also dancing after dinner.

I've also eaten at Cabanas Las Lilas, but I found it "touristy" -- I much preferred La Raya (I haven't seen it discussed anywhere other than in Cigar Aficianado several years agol, but it seemed more upscale). Try them both. Cabana Las Lilas is in a nice area and you can wander along the riverfront after your meal.

Thank you for the great restaurant input. Are there liquor stores as we know them in Australia and the USA where you can buy top regional/South American wines and are there licenced or unlicenced (to sell wine) restaurants where you can bring your own wine ?

The Winery on Libertador and Carlos Pelligrini is a good place to purchase excellent wines. Helpful staff.....

Can't recall the name, but another good wine store is located at the corner of Santa Fe and Libertad.

RE: taking wines to restaurants.....I went to dinner with an associate from California who brought wines from Sonoma to be served with dinner...no problema....we ate at Happening in Puerto Madero....I don't know if this is common practice, but it did not present a problem in this restaurant.....My overall impression is that most of the better restaurants have good wines at reasonable prices, so why go to the trouble of bringing your own?

Does anyone know if there are wine producing regions/vineyards close to Buenos Aires that we could visit on a day trip ?

Edwinaak, How were the rooms at the Park Plaza Kempinski? I know the location is great, but the rooms looked a little "dowdy" & uncomfortable on the website. It's so hard to tell from the photos on the web..great to get an opinion from someone who has stayed there.

CFW...Stayed at tyhe Park Plaza last Sept and we had a 2 room suite and I think it was under $100/day and we were there 2 weeks...Great location,nice rooms,friendly helpful staff and a nice breakfast in a nice lobby dining area...We plan on going back soon...

I think drdawggy has a good point, Buenos Aires is a huge city, there are tons, of excellent restaurants you do not have to end always in the ones all tourist seem to go. Ask in situ
walk around and get into some place full of locals and you will enjoy double your trip and probably eat better and cheaper.

Regarding hotels I have been keeping my self loyal to Argenta Towers Hotel, very nice place, through Cintia from wowargentina.com I get a good rate of 70 and it is a real four stars. The restaurant there by the way is very good and prices are very very good.

I agree with the last posting, the Argenta towers (Avenida Juncal, in Retiro) is fine, in a great location, can't beat the price. Was very clean, good breakfast, very decent.

Has anyone been to La Cabana in Recoleta. I understand it is the re-incarnation of the famous argentine steakhouse. I plan to go there but would like to be forewarned about the hit to my wallet. I know the rule, if you have to ask, you can't afford it but I do wonder is it US$75 per person or is it US$300 per person?

Does anyone have an idea what it averages out to?

Thanks

$300 a person, are you daft?????? Even Cabana Las Lilas is only about $30 per person. Remember the US dollar is about 3 to 1 with the peso.

I have not been to La Cabana, but I've been to enough really nice restaurants in Recoleta to know that NO restaurant will be US$300 per person. Impossible. To tell you the truth, I'd bet anything that it's much less than 75 PESOs per person. You'd be hard-pressed to locate a restaurant that costs more than 30 PESOs per entre. Believe me. The quality of the high-end (and mid-range) restaurants down here cost approx. 1/3 of what they'd cost at a 5-star restaurant in NYC.

I went to La Cabana during its grand reopening for a breakfast. OUtstanding place....but you would not need to spend over US 50, even if you ordered serveral bottles of wine!