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Where to get a great steak in Buenos Aires?

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Where to get a great steak in Buenos Aires?

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Old May 23rd, 2008, 04:05 PM
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Where to get a great steak in Buenos Aires?

My husband and I are going to Buenos Aires in 2 weeks and will be spending 7 nights there. We've never been there before and are really looking forward to it. I know that Argentina is known for it's fabulous steak. Can anyone recommend a good place to get a really great steak? Any other restaurant recommendations will also be appreciated.
Thanks.
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Old May 23rd, 2008, 04:14 PM
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Have you gotten a guide book yet?

I think one of the most recommended restaurants is La Cabrera..then there is La Brigada and I have been told more than once by those who know- to skip the over-rated tourist trap..Cabaña Las Lilas ...


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Old May 23rd, 2008, 07:28 PM
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Here is a thread on the subject started by drdawggy, the universally recognized TOP Internet expert on Argentina: http://tinyurl.com/ynytm8

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of posts about restaurants, both here and in other forums.

Steakhouses "Cabaña Las Lilas" and "La Cabaña" are clear examples of "the most expensive is not necessarily the best".

Have a great time in our country.
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Old May 24th, 2008, 06:51 AM
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Laurieco:
Imagine seeing you over on the Latin America board...............
: )

Scarlet and Avrooster are very knowledgeable on BAires. And posts by drdawggy are spot on. Their advice is great. We were in BAires in February, have traveled there before and we love the city.

La Cabrera was likely our best steak while we were there. The place is very well known and gets packed. Even at midnight people were still arriving. Yet, its worth the wait. Portions are huge there, and most everywhere in BAires. Split most everything. La Cabrera also had an outstanding sausage to start, and excellent salads. Indeed, most every restaurant in BAires has great salads. We also liked La Brigada a lot, the one on Pena, there are two locations. Bife de chorizo was our favorite cut of beef but all are good. My son thought the entrana (skirt steak), at La Brigada was the best he's ever had. Good service there too. Also, don't miss the papas frances - french fries with garlic and parsley. Excellent.

We also much enjoyed Sotto Voce, on Libertador. An outstanding Italian spot. Equal to some of the best Italian we've had anywhere. In Palermo we also enjoyed Cluny. There are many, many good restaurant options in BAires. Try the pizzas too, many great spots. And, for empanandas, do not miss El Sanjuanino, on Posadas, in Recoleta. Inexpensive but one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. They make a great lunch. Simply outstanding empanadas. Again, best we've had anywhere.

BAires also has great ice cream. Look for Freddo, its a chain. And, bring back a bottle of their dulce de leche, also great. And, remember to pack it in your luggage - we had quite an incident when our jar was "discovered" in our carry on and were told we couldn't take it onboard.

If you enjoy soccer, and the season is still ongoing, try to catch a Boca Juniors game. There are lots of good tour outfits that will pick you up at your hotel, take you to the game, and return you to your hotel. Lots of fun and a real scene.

BAires also has a very vibrant theatre scene, best in Latin America. There are many good theatres on Avenida Corrientes. Even if you don't speak Spanish, if you find a musical go. Ask your concierge. Its also lots of fun and excellent tickets are inexpensive by American standards.

Finally, for shopping (leather stuff and gaucho-like stuff), head to Arandu. There are a few branches of the store. The one in Recoleta is redone, large and has a big selection of items. Great stuff, well made that lasts. Excellent belts, bags and boots. Guido, a shoestore with about 3 or 4 locatios, also has very well made classic shoes. Both stores have websites you can peruse too.

You will have a great time.
Tengo
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Old May 24th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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tengohambre is hungry and therefore knows all about restaurants! LOL!!!
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Old May 24th, 2008, 07:44 AM
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I am afraid that the La Brigada on Peña might be closed. They are a few blocks from me, I should go by and look, a friend told me this not long ago..

We aso like El Yugo on Ayacucho...neighborhood place, you can watch your dinner cook on the fire while you have a great salad and some wonderful grilled Proveleta..
Hmmm I must be hungry too lol
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Old May 24th, 2008, 07:46 AM
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You can buy your Dulche de Leche and Alfajores at the Havana shops in town or at the airport in the Duty Free shop - which will enable you to have it onboard with you..my luggage was waay too full when we visited, to squeeze one more thing in lol...
Bring empty luggage, that might help
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Old May 24th, 2008, 07:55 AM
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As Avrooster suggests: siempre tengo hambre................

The extra bag is a good idea. Travel with one half empty or buy a good leather travel bag in BAires. There are lots to choose from. Also, Carpincho is a type of leather/suede that is sold only in Argentina. It is more expensive than "regular" leather but it is soft and nearly indestructible. You will see it most everywhere, in belts, bags, jackets and shoes. Its a good buy there, since you can't find it elsewhere, and it does last forever.

There are also some great blogs out there on BAires generally. They have lots of useful information. And, head over and visit Puerto Madero. Stroll around and have a drink in the evening. For food, however, you are most always better off heading elsewhere. Taxis are still cheap in BAires and plentiful. Also, there is still a great cafe culture in the city, with people having bkfast, lunch, coffee at all times of day.

Scarlett: if La Brigada on Pena closed that would be sad. It was a great spot. Pretty room and it had a good atmosphere. Most all the diners seemed to be long time regulars, and were greeted warmly by the staff.

And now that we are speaking of dulce de leche I have to go rummage through my cabinets and see what I have. I fear Nutella may to serve as a stand in.
: (
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Old May 24th, 2008, 03:17 PM
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"Where to get a great steak in Argentina!?"

At avrooster's house ,but shhhh !! don't tell everyone keep this to yourself.

Percy
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Old May 24th, 2008, 05:21 PM
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Who told you, Percy?

It was supposed to be a secret. LOL!!!!
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Old May 25th, 2008, 12:52 PM
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We walked by the location of the Peña La Brigada and it is indeed Closed.
You will just have to go to San Telmo to La Brigada
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Old Jun 1st, 2008, 12:26 PM
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Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Sorry for the delay in responding, I had house guests for a week and then spilled coffee on my keyboard and couldn't type until I bought a new one!!

I've bought several guidebooks but always like to see what the Fodors people have to say. The books I have seem to like Cabana Las Lilas. in fact, it is highly recommended by Frommers and I believe the Rough Guide. What so you not like about it?

tengo, thanks for the shopping tips--I'm definitely going to be buying leather!!
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Old Jun 1st, 2008, 12:28 PM
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That should be what DO you not like....geez, I can't even blame the keyboard for that one!
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Old Jun 1st, 2008, 04:51 PM
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In general, Cabaña Las Lilas is well regarded in guide books, presumably for very good reasons, if you see what I mean.

However, in this and other forums, where there are only independent opinions, it is mostly considered a tourist trap.

If you wish to go to a good, but comparatively more expensive place, where there are only tourists, so be it.
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Old Jun 1st, 2008, 08:51 PM
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We ate at Cabana Las Lilas last year as it was the only restaurant open early on the day we arrived in Buenos Aires last summer. After a 6 hour delay in Dulles we just wanted a meal and sleep at our Hilton in Puerto Madero. The restaurant is quite nice and the food is actually very good. Huge list of wines from Argentina that I had never heard of. Best empanadas we had during our stay in Argentina. It is however quite touristy and expensive for what you get in comparison to other restaurants in Argentina. On the other hand it is cheaper than Morton's and other similar steak houses in the US.
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