Restaurants
DIEGO QUIROGA
provolone and onion ‘pizza’ – a creamy foam accompanied by a teaspoon of olive jelly. Can’t get enough? Book a room at the boutique hotel upstairs, Hub Porteño (see p141), and you can dine here every night. Rodríguez Peña 1967, y Posadas, Recoleta (6091 2160/www.tarquino restaurante.com.ar). Bus 39, 60. Open 12.30-2.30pm, 8-11.30pm Mon-Sat. Main courses $$$$. Lunch AR$480$550. Tasting menu AR$950-$1300. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map E5. A INDIAN
New in town Brandon
Palermo has no shortage of stylish eateries to pick from, but take a stroll past Brandon and it’s hard not to be captivated by the elegant marble bar, striking light fixtures and soaring ceilings. The menu is equally captivating, with both elegant takes on Argentinian classics – goat’s cheese provoleta with almonds, rocket and sundried tomatoes – and international influences – breaded coconut shrimp with sriracha. And though almost every kind of meat makes an appearance, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well. Open for every meal of the day (in BA that’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, merienda and dinner), Brandon is consistently packed out at each one. Fitz Roy 1722, y Honduras (4776 2014/www.brandonrestaurant.com). Bus 39, 57, 93, 108, 111, 140, 151. Open 8.30am-1am Sun-Thu; 8.30am-2am Fri, Sat. Main courses $$$. Lunch AR$120-$170. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map H2. A V
Open 7-11am, 12.30-3.30pm, 7.30pm-12.30am daily. Main courses $$$$. Lunch AR$325. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map D5. !Gran Bar Danzón The contemporary, cosmopolitan menu at this resto-bar includes only the most luxurious, and sometimes exotic, ingredients: grilled lobster over banana blintzes, veal sweetbreads – and those are just the starters. Main courses like herb-crusted rack of lamb and home-made prawn linguini in a saffron broth continue the theme, and there are sushi and sashimi options for a lighter meal. There’s a lounge-like ambience to this space, replete with low sofas and glowing candles. An extensive wine list includes good options by the glass – just as well, since the prices weigh in at the upper end of the scale. Cocktails, both classic and original, will quench your thirst. Try the Sushi Mary – a Japanese take on the bloody mary with saké and wasabi – served with a pretty little sushi roll. Libertad 1161, entre Avenida Santa Fe y Arenales, Recoleta (4811 1108/ www.granbardanzon.com.ar). Subte D, Tribunales/bus 39, 70, 75, 100, 102, 140, 150, 152. Open Restaurant 7pm-1am Mon-Fri; 8pm-1.30am Sat, Sun. Bar from 7pm daily. Main courses $$. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map D5. A
Harturo Tucked down a quiet cobblestone passageway away from the city’s clamour, the beautifully renovated Harturo restaurant (previously known as Sirop Folie) is the perfect hideaway for a leisurely but indulgent meal. Elegance and comfort are entwined at this charming restaurant, and though the menu is seasonal, you can always expect locally-influenced rich flavours. Time Out devoured a goat’s cheese crème brûlée and a succulent Milanese-style pork rib with a cheese and sage crust. Just be sure to save room for one of the irresistible desserts; the Belgian chocolate fondant with salted toffee is heavenly. Weekends offer an enticing brunch menu of classic dishes like ratatouille, gravlax and eggs Benedict. Unit 12, Vicente López 1661, y Montevideo (4813 5900). Bus 37, 39. Open noon-4pm, from 8pm Tue-Fri; 11am-4pm Sat, Sun; from 8pm Sat. Main courses $$$. Lunch AR$160. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map E5. Roux There’s something deceptively simple sounding about the dishes at this white-tablecloth bistro. Plates like couscous and prawn salad and trout with green quinoa seem easy enough, but in chef Martín Rebaudino’s hands, even the most humble cauliflower
42 Time Out Insiders’ Guide to Buenos Aires 2015/16
purée becomes an artful amuse-bouche. Save room for a dessert topped with home-made ice-cream, particularly if you spot one of the refreshing sorbets like grapefruit and orange-pineapple. Rebaudino honed his skills at Oviedo (see p44), and it shows in the exquisite seafood-based dishes and presentation at Roux. The front of house service is impeccable, and the wine list includes varieties not often seen in BA, like pinot noir, cabernet franc and sémillon. Peña 2300, y Azcuénaga, Recoleta (4805 6794/www.rouxresto.com). Bus 10, 17. Open 12.30-3.30pm, 8pmmidnight Mon-Sat. Main courses $$$$. Credit AmEx, V. Map E4. Tarquino Named after the daddy of Argentinian meat (Tarquino was the first bull brought from the Scottish highlands to the Argentinian pampas), this gourmet restaurant is an elegant homage to its mother country. From the llama textile walls to the smooth leather tabletops, everything was hand-picked from artisans across the country, but the pièce de résistance is the 70-year-old ficus tree, sprouting through the restaurant’s glass ceiling. Showing off the skills he picked up at Spain’s internationally acclaimed El Bulli restaurant, head chef Dante Liporaci lets his imagination run wild with delightfully quirky dishes such as
Tandoor One of very few Indian restaurants in BA, Tandoor has happily satisfied many a craving for food from the subcontinent. The restaurant’s modern, authentic dishes are enhanced by an airy environment, which makes eating here a pleasure. Spices are imported from India, as are the chefs and the tandoor oven. As well as classics like chicken tikka masala, the menu includes several tasty lamb dishes. Laprida 1293, y Charcas, Barrio Norte (4821 3676/www.tandoor.com.ar). Subte D, Agüero/bus 12, 39, 92, 111, 118, 140, 152. Open noon-3.30pm, 8-11.30pm Mon-Fri; 8pm-midnight Sat, Sun. Main courses $$$. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map E4. V ITALIAN
La Locanda It took a true Sardinian to show Argentinians how Italian food should be done. Chef and owner Daniele Pinna makes Italian food come to life thanks to his boisterous personality and passion for cooking, feeding and pleasing stomachs with his rustic home-style food. Pinna brings a slice of Italy to Buenos Aires in the form of perfect pillows of gnocchetti in a lamb ragu, fresh grilled octopus and porcini mushroom risotto. Food aside, La Locanda’s home vibe has made it a favourite barrio joint among locals. For a special private dining experience, book the chef’s table in the basement. Pagano 2697, y Tagle, Recoleta (4806 6343). Bus 60, 92, 93, 110, 118, 128, 130. Open 8pm-midnight Tue-Sat; noon-4pm Fri-Sun. Main courses $$$. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map F5. Piola With locations scattered across the Americas, this Treviso-born pizzeria chain has gourmet pie-tossing down to a science: roll the thinnest crust possible, top with fresh greens and sharp cheeses, and serve in a slick space. Salads and authentic pasta are on the menu too, but your best bet is a signature pizza – the smoked salmon and rocket-topped Rimini, or the leafy Praga, a white pizza piled with rocket, chicken and parmesan shavings. Libertad 1078, y Avenida Santa Fe, Recoleta (4812 0690/www.piola.it). Bus 39, 60, 67, 111, 132, 140. Open noon-2am Mon-Fri; 7pm-3am Sat; 7pm-2am Sun. Main courses $$. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Map D5. Other location Gorriti 5751, Palermo (4777 3698).