rogfam

Thanks for all the help,looks like I won't go hungry! Still confused about Cabaña Las Lilas. General feeling here is to skip it, guide books rave, and my friend just returned from BsAs and ate there and said not to miss it. Hmmmm...

Scarlett

I tend to shy away from places that appear in every guide book known to man. (and Cabana Las Lilas is in every guide book..) We have learned that lesson the hard way, restaurants in Paris and London as well as the US..they lose something once they get constant mention in tour guides.

I remembered another place that we just loved, Santé which is on Azcuenaga in Recoleta..a great small bistro with a wonderful menu and hardworking charming owner.

rogfam

Scarlett can you suggest a place to view tango? Also, flying to Punta del Este for one night, any suggestions? Thanks!

skatedancer

I understand what you are feeling about Las Lilas. We were told by a friend in the States who returns every year to visit family in BsAs not to miss it, and we went with some Porteno friends who really wanted to go there, too.... It was fine, but not worthy of world class status by a long shot, which is what one is led to believe (if you don't read these forums!!)

simongandolfi

I have never seen the restaurant at the Spanish club recommended in a guidebook. Perhaps writers presume the restaurant is only open to members. Not so, and the food is delicious and the dinningroom is magnificent. On Av 9 de Julio near to the junction with Av de Mayo. Best meal in my travels the length of Argentina. The winewaiter recomended a wine for me to take home. The wine was half the price of other recomendations and fabulous. I will be back in Argentina in March to ride north and will ship a few cases to the UK. (www.simongandolfi.blogspot.com)

Scarlett

rogfam, we did not even know that we would be able to see a Tango show when we went to the Four Seasons for dinner. While eating we heard the music and asked about it and from there, they booked us a table , we had coffee and dessert and sat in the best seats in the house and watched a very entertaining Tango show ( for free)..
I have heard the most about the Carlos Gardel Esquina? Tango show, (somehow I think I screwed up that name)...That one is huge and grand and you can eat dinner too.
We also want to go to a Milonga ( which is not really a show but where locals go to dance and you can watch)..We will be there in a few months, can't wait

sweet_polly

rogfam...I hesitated to recommend Cabana Las Lilas in my earlier post because it always takes such a bashing in these threads, leading me to wonder if I was just wacky for liking it so much. lol We had dinner there on our trip and loved it. It was the most expensive meal of the trip, but still less than the same dinner in a similarly-rated restaurant in the U.S. would be. Yes...there were other tourists there; and, yes...I'm sure there are other cheaper and equally delicious parillas in BA. Even so, if I had it to do all over again, I would still have dinner there...I thought it was wonderful.

rogfam

Thanks Polly for your comments.We are leaning to giving Cabana a try. Living in NY where a steak dinner in a top restaurant runs $150-$200 for a couple, what should I expect there.

drdawggy

I confess--I have eaten in Cabaña Las Lilas several times. . I would not classify it as the number one restaurant by any stretch of the imagination though. If you venture out in Buenos Aires, you will quickly discover more imaginative chefs and steaks that are the equal of or better than Las Lilas. But I won't think less of you if you simply must see for yourself. It is something one should do, I suppose

sweet_polly

We paid around $175 US for two. We were really getting into trying Argentinean wines, and that price included three bottles (a sparkling, a red, and a white). We also ordered an appetizer each, three side dishes (which we shared), and two dinosaur-esque steaks. Everything was a la carte.

rogfam

Has anyone eaten at a restaurant named Cluny? Also, is Cafe Tortoni a good bet?

dmelo1

I visited BA this past Thanksgiving. Couple favorite places were Casa Cruz, Gran Bar Danzon and Don Julio

raquel_z

Go to Cafe Tortoni for the atmosphere and the building itself. It is historic and elegant. Have coffee and desert or a snack. Its not noted as a great place for dinner - but worth a visit more as a part of your sightseeing and general Buenos Aires experience.
They do have reasonably priced "small stage" tango shows which some people say are worth going to.

raquel

mikemo

Scarlett loved Cluny and we were impressed with the staff, but, unfortunately, never ate there.
At Cafe Tortoni, I arrived without reservations, but gave the honcho a $10.peso gratuity and got a front row table for the wonderful tango show. You'll miss a lot if you don't speak Spanish, but for $30 pesos pp(<$10.US), great fun.
M