264693 Thu Sep 30 15:53:05 -0700 2004 2 26 International 0 1397577 We have been in this city for a few days and have eaten very well. Favorite meals so far have been at Sucre, a cutting edge place with terrific smoked shrimp and rack of lamb and excellent grilled beef. Great desserts, too....especially the Chocoholic. The place was almost empty at 8pm and had filled up only somewhat by the time we had finished. One of the best steaks of my life was enjoyed at Cabana de Lilas....the cover charge of about $3us per person entitles you to a plate of tidbits such as smoked salmon, a blue cheese spread, smoked meats, grilled zucchini and fantastic cheesey bread puffs. First course was provoleta de cabra, grilled sheep cheese which is addictive and wonderful. Green salad with cress, baby arugula and other lettuces was pretty good. French fries were disappointing. But the meat!!!!!!! I had the tenderloin which was out of this world....two friends had other cuts which were also terrific. Service is very good and the place was packed on a Tuesday night...reservations are recommended. The restaurant is in a renovated warehouse..very smartly done..in Puerto Madero, on the river. The bill, with a bottle of Malbec, was about $80 US for three of us without dessert or coffee. Another excellent meal was at Dora, on Aleman....I wrote it up earlier today but to summarize, the place is a classic...white table cloths, elderly professional waiters, lengthy menu filled with crab and other seafood, grilled items, chicken and many Galician inspired dishes including pimentos de Padron and octopus. I had fried calamari, grilled langostine, spinach with garlic and onion. My friend had a sirloin steak with mashed potatoes. With a bottle of Chenin blanc and a shared dessert of lemon mousse with strawberry sauce, the total was about $35 US for two of us, with complimentary limoncello after dinner. Dora was packed from 8pm..almost all locals... until we left at about 10pm. The only disappointment was at La Brigada in San Telmo, but this may have been due to our choice of main..we ordered the tira de asado, which was short ribs, served for two.....the meat was tasty but on the tough side. Other dishes were good, though, and the atmosphere was casual and friendly, filled with locals. We arrived at 1pm on a Sunday (day of the San Telmo Fair) and had to wait about an hour to get a table. I would think this is a good choice if you are more careful about your cut of meat than we were. Thu Sep 30 15:53:05 -0700 2004 0 erica 1 1397584 Thanks for the reviews. We are going to BA December 26th and I was planning on eating at Sucre and Cabana de Lilas. Good to hear that you enjoyed your meals there. Do you recommend making reservations at both of them and, if so, how far in advance for weekday dinner? Lola sounds really good, too. Do we need reservations there? Thanks again. Thu Sep 30 20:50:27 -0700 2004 1397577 0 Bigmamma 2 1397592 For Dora, Cabana las Lilas, and Sucre I would recommend that you reserve ahead. The concierge at our hotel told us that for during the week, you can call in the morning of the same day, but a day in advance forsome places on the weekends. So if you are staying at a hotel, let them do it when you arrive. For example, tonight is Friday and I just asked the desk to reserve for us tonight at Las Lilas (again). Have a g reat trip!! Fri Oct 01 09:52:37 -0700 2004 1397584 0 ERICA