Well, I need fodorite opinions..........is it Tortoni, Mansion Dandi, Confiteria Ideal? My husband and I are going to take a lesson( where?) and then practice SOMEWHERE.
What is the general consensus...we dont really want to have a dinner and show , rather have dinner somewhere then just watch/join in ...we'll probably go to La Boca and watch also....unless someone has a much better idea...just dont want to do the too touristy dinner/sit thing.

We went to Cafe Tortoni and really enjoyed it. They have two rooms for shows, a large and a small - we went for the small room just off the main restarant. There were maybe 15 tables of 4 and they are booked on a first come first served basis. we booked about 3 days in advance and got a table right by the stage (so close you could see the patches in their tango shoes!!). No meals in this room but they do serve drinks ( a bottle of Malbec and the Tango - what more do you need??

Can't comment on where to take lessons as would not even attempt it with my two left feet!

La Boca was great and there were quite a few tango demos going on in the street and cafes - well worth a trip.

Here is a link to our blog with some photos of Cafe Tortoni and La Boca (entries 100 & 101)

If you want to practice on a dance floor after your lesson, I guess Confiteria Ideal and Mansion Dandi might be good. ( I know they teach at Dandi, I do not know their rules for allowing non-dancers on the floor )

They really discourage and frown upon non-dancers on the floor with the regular dancers.
One lesson will not be enough to get you on a dance floor at a milonga.

There really is nowhere you can dine then join in.
There are shows that you can have dinner or not, no one joins in.
There are milongas where people go to Tango, these people are seasoned regulars and very very experienced dancers.. you would not be really welcome to join in.

sorry .. All Tango shows are touristy. If you want to see one, go see one!
You are a tourist. What difference does it make?

The La Ventana tango show offers brief tango lessons before the show. So does Complejo Tango (although I did not try that). Looking at the website, Complejo Tango offers tango lessons generally:
http://www.complejotango.com.ar

Crellston could you put in the link to your blog? I'd love to see your photos.

crellstons wonderful blog and photos has been posted on Fodors before so I think it is ok to post it here for you ..
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...tml#ENTRY_LIST

Thanks Scarlett!

Thanks scarlett - Isn't it sad when one forgets even the basics! I clearly need another fix of travelling in Argentina to refresh and focus my brain!!

Yes, crellston, you definitely need to get back here. Your memories of the taste of a glass of Malbec and a steak must be growing dim by now
The weather is getting warmer every day ..... <I> come back .... come back .....