my sister & i are going to BA for the first time in Feb staying at the mariott. we'd like some dinner recommendations. traditional food as non-touristy as possible. we are thinking of taking a city tour the first day to get an overview. i know there is a market on sun that is supposed to be interesting. what else is an absolute must? well obviously tango but i don't want to got to a show for tourists. what is the best place to go? i will not be dancing thanks so much!

oh i know you can take a taxi from the airport. do they have the van shuttles that go to major hotels? i'd rather spend the money on sightseeing!

I think you should get a Guide book.

Where you eat depends on budget and tastes.. steak, go to La Cabrera in Palermo or to La Brigada in San Telmo .. tourists eat where locals eat. Do you speak Spanish?
I will throw out some names, you can look them up in your new guide book
Rodi Bar, El Sanjuanino, Melo, Juana M, Filo, Amici Miei, any sidewalk cafe...

All Tango shows are for tourists.. and you could not dance with them if you wanted to.. it is a show.

There are shuttles. Look at your hotel website and see if they have one.
Taxi EZIEZA is good too.

Markets on Sunday ..

San Telmo ( you will see Tango dancers)
Recoleta ( Sat and Sun)
Palermo Soho ( Sat and Sun)
The Mataderos ( Sun)

During the summer, our "Feria de Mataderos" is scheduled for Saturday nights.

http://www.feriademataderos.com.ar/agenda2009.htm

As far as I know, there are no "van shuttles that go to major hotels".

Taxi Ezeiza charges 118 pesos to go into town and they have a special 88 pesos rate to go back to the airport, when you leave http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar/Tarifas.html

Have a great time in our town with your sister.

http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar/home/home.asp

Try this service, they have both remiss and shuttle/bus service.

Otherwise, remember not to take a Taxi that is sitting out at the curb at the airport.
Take one of the Remiss that have a kiosk inside the airport, outside of Customs.
We used VIP, there is also World Car. You pay a set price and they are safe and honest.

thanks for the advice...

Scarlett perhaps you misunderstood...i was not asking about a tango show but just a tango salon. i do not speak more than a few words of spanish.

love steak! we are from NY so our budget runs the gammet (sp?). its my sister's 50th and i was thinking that 647 dinner club would be nice. any thoughts?

again....thanks for the advice

Oh, you want to go to a Milonga.
Try Confiteria Ideal .. You can take a lesson, you can watch the milonga.

Sorry, I have never heard of 647 dinner club ..
La Brigada would be good. You want a more upscale expensive dinner ? or just a great place with good food ?
You have to try Juana M .. on Carlos Pellegrini across from La Recova. This large beautiful space lit only with white candles at night. Great service, very good food. Steak , fish, whatever you want. You can save this for another night when you are not celebrating ..
We don't eat steak so when we want to go out for a more dressy/celebratory dinner, we usually go Italian.
So I will suggest Amici Miei in San Telmo and for wonderful seafood, Oviedo in Barrio Norte..
Look anything up on this website for info , photos, and addresses etc.
http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/detail.php?ID=99
Hope this helps ~

yes sorry Milonga. that's exactly where i was thinking. i am pretty sure that was in the movie Tango Lesson.

thanks so much!

mwoodrowe: I did a search on TA for 647 and I don´t think it is what you want. Besides, it is overpriced.

drdawggy, the greatest ever Internet expert on Argentina put his thumb down on it.

ok thanks for the advice avrooster...any recommendations for a special dinner?

There is a pretty parilla in Recoleta called Fervor that you might like, or go to the classic La Brigada in San Telmo for your steak dinner.
My favorites are as follows, look at the guiaolio.com.ar guide to see more info about them ..
Sette Bacco in Recoleta.. we celebrated an anniversary/birthday and just romantic dinners here..
A pretty French restaurant in Recoleta is Lola.
A really pretty and nice restaurant in Recoleta is Sirop.

Hope these help get you started, also use the guide, it is really helpful with reviews and websites so you can look at the restaurants and the menus.

Thanks Scarlett!

We had a terrific meal of grilled fish at Fervor, a sister property of Sottovoce, another good choice nearby in Recoleta.

I wish I had tried Fervor as it was only a few steps away from the hotel that I stayed at at the end of my Buenos Aires stay. Happy Travels!

Sottovoce is a bit touristy, but their place near the river, in Puerto Madero could be nice for your sister's birthday.

http://www.sottovoceristorante.com.a...rto-madero.php

Be sure to ask them to CALL a cab for you, when you leave.

Never board cabs waiting in line outside touristy spots, such as tango shows.

i think we may try Fervor. thanks so much!

Fervor is very good, particularly for grilled fish, but I believe their egg salad is below standard, so steer away from it. Just kidding. LOL!!!

avrooster...what's your favorite for steak?

Well, I have lived out of town for almost 35 years now, so I may not be quite up to date, but, if you want a non-touristy steak place, consider La Despensa: http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/detail.php?ID=2018.

I have a thread about it at this time and forum member julieod said: "the best steaks we've had in Argentina so far- at La Despensa in Barracas."

It´s a little out of the way, mind you, in the Southern part of BA.

On the other hand, if you want the most touristy and expensive steak in town, consider "Cabaña Las Lilas".

thanks avrooster

anyone have any thoughts on Duhau Restaurant at the Hyatt? my sister heard it was suppsoed to be very good.

Can anyone make a suggestion for restaurants near the Mariott? I am thinking we will be tired the first evening and it would be nice to be able to have a good meal within walking distance. Low key is fine. Any thoughts? Thanks so much..9 days and counting.