Wine Bars in Buenos Aires
Nov 13th, 2018, 06:05 AM
#1
Original Poster
Wine Bars in Buenos Aires
We’re interested in tasting wines at a place that also has a menu with a variety of appetizers. Do wine bars such as Aldo in San Telmo or Grand Cru in Recoleta have charcuterie boards? I’ve pulled up these two websites, but I didn’t locate any food menu items on them. When we were there a dozen years ago, we found a perfect place not far from our hotel then (Argenta Tower). I can’t remember the name of it and it may not even be there now, but we tasted several wines, and purchased a platter of appetizers for a light meal. That’s the kind of place we’re trying to find. Any suggestions?
Kathy
Kathy
Nov 13th, 2018, 07:55 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't drink, so I'm somewhat limited on this subject.
I asked Google and I'd say Grand Cru does NOT serve food (only wine tasting), but Aldo does https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._District.html
Have a great time in my town, Kathy.
I asked Google and I'd say Grand Cru does NOT serve food (only wine tasting), but Aldo does https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._District.html
Have a great time in my town, Kathy.
Nov 13th, 2018, 11:59 AM
#3
Original Poster
Thanks avrooster. Aldo looks very promising, and for the first day in the city it will make for a nice walk from our hotel to get food and wine, especially after our long flight.
I plan on looking through a variety of steak houses and narrow down to some possibilities. Then I'll ask about those. Does anyone else have any favorite wine and/or eating places to suggest?
Kathy
I plan on looking through a variety of steak houses and narrow down to some possibilities. Then I'll ask about those. Does anyone else have any favorite wine and/or eating places to suggest?
Kathy
Nov 15th, 2018, 06:50 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Kathleen,
As far as restaurants are concerned, look out for post from avrooster and Marnie. Two places we visited with avrooster were Fervour - great for steaks and seafood and, if there on a Sunday and looking to spalsh out, the brunch buffet at the Alvear Palace in Recoleta is world class! A link to my review on trip advisor https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs..._District.html I am sure I posted here as well but can’t find it.
Other places we enjoyed for steak were Choza and Don Julio both of which served excellent steaks (also we had our first taste of grilled provolone at DJ - well worth a try!),
I don’t recall visiting any wine bars per se in BA but last time there we visited a couple of "secret bars". One was entered via a florist shop. Google has lots of links for these so perhaps not so secret now but still fun!
As far as restaurants are concerned, look out for post from avrooster and Marnie. Two places we visited with avrooster were Fervour - great for steaks and seafood and, if there on a Sunday and looking to spalsh out, the brunch buffet at the Alvear Palace in Recoleta is world class! A link to my review on trip advisor https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs..._District.html I am sure I posted here as well but can’t find it.
Other places we enjoyed for steak were Choza and Don Julio both of which served excellent steaks (also we had our first taste of grilled provolone at DJ - well worth a try!),
I don’t recall visiting any wine bars per se in BA but last time there we visited a couple of "secret bars". One was entered via a florist shop. Google has lots of links for these so perhaps not so secret now but still fun!
Nov 15th, 2018, 07:23 AM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TOP TA DE Crellston sometimes has trouble with his computer. This is what he posted about brunch at the Alvear on Sept. 14, 2016, titled "Sunday Brunch at Alvear Palace with Avrooster".
Coming to the end of our five months jaunt around South America it was a unexpected surprise and a real pleasure to be invited to join Avrooster for Sunday brunch at the Alvear Palace.
After a pleasant morning wandering the street markets of San Telmo we arrived at the hotel around 2.00pm and whilst waiting for our friend to get back from parking the car, I had a long chat with the concierge, Julian. He was extremely welcoming, helpful and provided us with lots of information regarding the hotel, it's eating options and other places to eat locally. He also suggested we spend some time after lunch exploring the stalls at the craft market, just across the road, near the cemetery. A welcome change from concierges in some other 5 star hotels around the world I could mention who can tend to adopt a somewhat aloof attitude. Not here.
Sunday brunch was being held, not as usual in the very elegant L'Orangerie room as a barmitzvah was being held there, but in the Alvear Room. which is down in the basement. L'Orangerie itself reminded us of the Ritz and the Savoy hotels back home in London's west end. All very ornate and elegant.
We were a little concerned initially but need not have been as the Alvear room was very nice and, most importantly, very spacious. No overcrowding of table. The atmosphere was also great. A lot of people seemed to be celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. One couple were celebrating 60 years of marriage and told me they were also celebrating their 80th and 91 st birthdays. They asked us to join them for photos! Porteños are so friendly and really know how to celebrate.
We were seated at a very large table by our very attentive waiter Pablo, who provided exemplary service throughout the two hours we spent over lunch. Plates were cleared, glasses were topped up and the overall impression was tha we were being treated as VIP guests.
The drinks were very free flowing, the sparkling wine served was better than many champagnes we have sampled ( and there have been many!) The Malbec was also terrific example of Argentina's ubiquitous red wine. When i asked our waiter about the origins of the wine, he was very knowledgeable. Water and soft drinks were also readily available.
The food was simply sublime. Having tried many such brunches at some of the worlds top hotels, this was surely some of the best food of any we have tried.The seafood section had everything from salmon, smoked, teriyaki and poached. Ceviche, caviar, oysters, octopus and, for me, best of all, sashimi - the best I have had since Tsujuki fish market in Tokyo. The waiter serving the sashimi really knew what he was doing and must surely have trained in Japan!
After 5 months in South America I had been missing cheese quite badly. The cheese station did not disappoint! A whole Parmesan ( which I made quite a dent in!) a selection of blue, soft and hard cheeses all of which where excellent.
The temptation was to stick with the fish and appetisers as they were so good but then we would have missives out on some of the delicious main courses. These included beef in a variety of guises, lamb ribs, chicken and an array of pastas and an excellent roast suckling pig. All accompanied by a variety of vegetable dishes.
All the food stations were replenished regularly, were hot and delightfully presented even though we arrived quite late in the day when many other buffets would be tempted to scale things back towards the end of service - not here!
It was hard to fit in a dessert, but somehow we managed it? The crepes were delicious - I only know because I stole Avrooster's!!
This is by no means and inexpensive place to visit, but for the quality of food and service, it does represent excellent value. We have been fortunate to have had similar brunches in five star hotels all around the world from Asia to Europe - this is, without a doubt, one of the best!
My compliments to the chef, waiting staff and management. We had a great day and would not hesitate to return.
Most of all my sincere thanks to Avrooster for inviting us. My wife was delighted to be seated next to, in her words, "such a charming gentleman". I think I had better watch out!
Coming to the end of our five months jaunt around South America it was a unexpected surprise and a real pleasure to be invited to join Avrooster for Sunday brunch at the Alvear Palace.
After a pleasant morning wandering the street markets of San Telmo we arrived at the hotel around 2.00pm and whilst waiting for our friend to get back from parking the car, I had a long chat with the concierge, Julian. He was extremely welcoming, helpful and provided us with lots of information regarding the hotel, it's eating options and other places to eat locally. He also suggested we spend some time after lunch exploring the stalls at the craft market, just across the road, near the cemetery. A welcome change from concierges in some other 5 star hotels around the world I could mention who can tend to adopt a somewhat aloof attitude. Not here.
Sunday brunch was being held, not as usual in the very elegant L'Orangerie room as a barmitzvah was being held there, but in the Alvear Room. which is down in the basement. L'Orangerie itself reminded us of the Ritz and the Savoy hotels back home in London's west end. All very ornate and elegant.
We were a little concerned initially but need not have been as the Alvear room was very nice and, most importantly, very spacious. No overcrowding of table. The atmosphere was also great. A lot of people seemed to be celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. One couple were celebrating 60 years of marriage and told me they were also celebrating their 80th and 91 st birthdays. They asked us to join them for photos! Porteños are so friendly and really know how to celebrate.
We were seated at a very large table by our very attentive waiter Pablo, who provided exemplary service throughout the two hours we spent over lunch. Plates were cleared, glasses were topped up and the overall impression was tha we were being treated as VIP guests.
The drinks were very free flowing, the sparkling wine served was better than many champagnes we have sampled ( and there have been many!) The Malbec was also terrific example of Argentina's ubiquitous red wine. When i asked our waiter about the origins of the wine, he was very knowledgeable. Water and soft drinks were also readily available.
The food was simply sublime. Having tried many such brunches at some of the worlds top hotels, this was surely some of the best food of any we have tried.The seafood section had everything from salmon, smoked, teriyaki and poached. Ceviche, caviar, oysters, octopus and, for me, best of all, sashimi - the best I have had since Tsujuki fish market in Tokyo. The waiter serving the sashimi really knew what he was doing and must surely have trained in Japan!
After 5 months in South America I had been missing cheese quite badly. The cheese station did not disappoint! A whole Parmesan ( which I made quite a dent in!) a selection of blue, soft and hard cheeses all of which where excellent.
The temptation was to stick with the fish and appetisers as they were so good but then we would have missives out on some of the delicious main courses. These included beef in a variety of guises, lamb ribs, chicken and an array of pastas and an excellent roast suckling pig. All accompanied by a variety of vegetable dishes.
All the food stations were replenished regularly, were hot and delightfully presented even though we arrived quite late in the day when many other buffets would be tempted to scale things back towards the end of service - not here!
It was hard to fit in a dessert, but somehow we managed it? The crepes were delicious - I only know because I stole Avrooster's!!
This is by no means and inexpensive place to visit, but for the quality of food and service, it does represent excellent value. We have been fortunate to have had similar brunches in five star hotels all around the world from Asia to Europe - this is, without a doubt, one of the best!
My compliments to the chef, waiting staff and management. We had a great day and would not hesitate to return.
Most of all my sincere thanks to Avrooster for inviting us. My wife was delighted to be seated next to, in her words, "such a charming gentleman". I think I had better watch out!
Nov 15th, 2018, 09:42 AM
#6
Original Poster
The Sunday brunch sounds delicious! Loved reading about all the food and especially the cheese station--love cheeses.
Crellston. One question is it La Choza de Gascon at Gascon 1701, or La Choza on Junin767. I'm betting it's the one on Gascon, right? A lot of these eateries seem to be around the Palermo/Recoleta area, which is fine as we'll be wandering there. But any in Centro or San Telmo that you especially like. Restaurants in general, not necessarily wine bars?
Crellston. One question is it La Choza de Gascon at Gascon 1701, or La Choza on Junin767. I'm betting it's the one on Gascon, right? A lot of these eateries seem to be around the Palermo/Recoleta area, which is fine as we'll be wandering there. But any in Centro or San Telmo that you especially like. Restaurants in general, not necessarily wine bars?
Nov 15th, 2018, 01:54 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was La Choza @ Gascon which was near to our last apartment in the city. I will have a look for the places we ate at in San Telmo and Centro. Re wine bars though, how could I forget TROVA in Palermo. An excellent place and an old friend of ours, from our time living in Spain, Jimena is the Sommelier there. Excellent wines and amazing tapas. If you do go tell Jimena that Clive and Carolyn from Villanueva Del Trabuco sent you and I am sure she will look after you (or she may say - who?)
"Crellston sometimes has trouble with his computer." thanks avrooster! It takes a true friend to point out one’s shortcomings. I am just surprised you didn’t point out my spelling mistakes as well!
"Crellston sometimes has trouble with his computer." thanks avrooster! It takes a true friend to point out one’s shortcomings. I am just surprised you didn’t point out my spelling mistakes as well!
Nov 15th, 2018, 04:07 PM
#8
Original Poster
Thanks crellston. If we get to Trova, I'll ask about Jimena and say hello for you two!
I'm amassing a good size file of restaurants and have noted their addresses and hours, along with their specialties if they have some.
Appreciate the information.
I'm amassing a good size file of restaurants and have noted their addresses and hours, along with their specialties if they have some.
Appreciate the information.
Feb 10th, 2019, 10:05 AM
#9
Original Poster
FYI: Reporting back from our December trip to say we did go to a delightful wine bar, Aldo's in San Telmo (had charcuterie boards). Highly recommend it for those who love wine - - Malbecs were excellent.
