605881 Sun Mar 22 16:03:23 -0700 2009 9 56 South America 0 4528180 I've read many of the BA posts and have a specific request. I'm looking for one dinner at a restaurant that might be called trendy or has a definite buzz going on. I'm sure we'll be eating at mostly non trendy places but I always like to have one nicer dinner out and willing to pay some extra money. Was thinking about Olsen but that might be too over the top and $$ (altho I *am* party Swedish). I saw a rec for La Cabana which seemed kind of nicer, any thoughts? Is Spettus nice being on the water or more family oriented? Elles or Casa Cruz? Maybe something Italian? Also read something good about Club del Vino but I think that might be closed. Has anyone been to Mundo Bizarro cocktail lounge? Any other fun bars in the rock vein? And one place for a must go nicer swanky cocktail? We leave April 8 for a week, thanks in advance. Sun Mar 22 16:03:24 -0700 2009 14253 Joanie 1 4529707 We just came back from BA, and had awesome meals. I think in terms of trendy (at least in terms of design) I really liked Standard. It is a lovely looking space, mid century modern, small, maybe a bit "bright" for some but I actually thought the lighting was perfect for me, full of locals and I had a wonderful meal. Price point was good (but we didn't find any restaurants in BA that wasn't a great deal compared to Boston). I am not so into "trendy" eateries so maybe this doesn't entirely fit the bill but I always enjoy your Boston posts, Joanie and happy to put my two cents in! Have a great time. Mon Mar 23 08:59:41 -0700 2009 4528180 13055 mizzduke 2 4536605 Thanks missduke, Standard looks cool as does Mott. They got great reviews here: http://www.jaunted.com/maps/Best-Restaurants-in-Palermo-Buenos-Aires Do any natives have thoughts on these places or Olsen and the ones mentioned in the original post? Or Thymus which sounded good. Looking for Argentinian with a twist or just freshly prepared continental food in a cool atmosphere. Should we make reservations, it's only 2 weeks away. Also still wondering where to get a nice cocktail in a classic Buenos Aires place, an old hotel or something? Thanks. Wed Mar 25 08:38:43 -0700 2009 4529707 14253 Joanie 1 4538551 Hi Joanie, I am a "porteña" who lives in the UK but have recently spent almost a year back in Buenos Aires. I have to confess that I avoid trendy places like the plague but I know people who love them and I've read a lot about some of them. I think that either for the Bistro or the Poolbar, one of the trendiest places right now is Faena Hotel + Universe in Puerto Madero. Here's the link: http://www.faenahotelanduniverse.com/#/eng/universe/poolbar/ For cocktails, you can check the Alvear Palace Hotel, a stunning classic building in the heart of Recoleta (their restaurants, La Bourgogne and L'Orangerie are also highly rated): http://www.alvearpalace.com/v2/restaurants.php?id=2 One of the trendiest, funkiest bars in BA is the Soul Café where they usually have rock gigs and good sushi and it's in 'Las Cañitas' neighbourhood: http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/detail.php?ID=356 (Soul Cafe) I would seriously recommend you visit Milion: a beautiful old building on three levels with a garden, lounge bar and restaurant. They serve tapas and great cocktails: http://www.milion.com.ar/milion/index.html On a more traditional note, Confitería Ideal is one of the 'must see' places in BA. You can have afternoon tea or evening drinks whilst watching/taking a tango lesson with the pros: http://www.confiteriaideal.com/ Hope this helps! Saludos and have a wonderful time! (don't miss La Cabrera for the best steak ever!) Wed Mar 25 17:26:57 -0700 2009 4528180 240789 Paula76 2 4543439 Someone else mentioned Faena to me which looks almost too over the top and nouveau riche. But it sounds like it's a nicely designed building so maybe. I think the Alvear might be more what I'm looking for which I had on my list along with maybe Hotel Emperador, Esplendor de Buenos Aires and the Claridge. Do they have a nice old school feel? I definitely will go to La Cabrera but they don't take reservations, right? Is there a good time to go there? Would Olsen, Mott and Standard need reservations I assume? Does everyone eat wicked late? Thanks again. Fri Mar 27 08:08:12 -0700 2009 4538551 14253 Joanie 3 4569758 If you want trendy and good, and do not mind paying a bit, I would actually recommend Osaka http://www.osaka.com.pe/. It is a Nobu - like restaurant, a mix of Peruvian and Japanese food. It is located in Palermo, the place is really nice and the food is fantastic. YOu need to make reservations a few days before. I don't really recommend Olsen, I haven't been there in about a year, but the past few times I went I was quite disappointed. It is definitely trendy, but the food is not great. Thymus is good, but if you can do try Osaka. For drinks, definitely go to Million, another great place is 878 (on Thames 878 in Palermo) - no sign outside but a great bar inside, and try Gran Bar Danzon http://www.granbardanzon.com.ar - a great wine selection. Faena is nice to visit, crazy decorations by Philipe Starck, but definitely over the top. Alvear is kind of like the Waldorf Astoria, ultra luxurious old world, a bit over the top too. Sun Apr 05 15:42:21 -0700 2009 4543439 280326 david14 4 4571018 Thank you so much. I like Japanese food but it's not what I'm looking. I appreciate the thoughts on Thymus and the bars. Had most on my list except 878 and Gran Bar. Any thoughts on Mott and Standard? I'm only here thru Tues. so this last minute post is great. Mon Apr 06 06:07:04 -0700 2009 4569758 14253 Joanie 5 4575661 Never been to Mott. Standard is ok, it does serve typical Argentine food done up, so it may be a good option to try traditional dishes. You can look up restaurants in a local guide www.guiaoleo.com - if you speak Spanish. Tue Apr 07 11:59:16 -0700 2009 4571018 280326 david14 1 4579639 Hey Joanie, I follow you on the Boston board and we have similar tastes. I"ll be in BA April 17th, for two weeks, with some side trips in between. Looking forward to seeing your report/thoughts before I leave - have fun! Wed Apr 08 16:46:19 -0700 2009 4528180 16644 Angel Food 2 4605037 Shoot, just got back yesterday and won't write it up for a while. Maybe you'll see this quickie before you leave. La Cabrera was a lot of fun altho I wasn't blown away like everyone else. One of the best things I ate was a grilled sausage sandwich from a woman on the street off the main drag in the La Boca strip. Excellent coffee gelato at Un Alto Volta or something like that. Nice $$$ drink at the Faeno Hotel, god what a place. Awesome spinach au gratin side dish at the restaurant across from Standard (which was okay), nicer parillo. Drink at Olsen was fun. That's about it off the top of my head, have fun. Super friendly people. Fri Apr 17 12:49:36 -0700 2009 4579639 14253 Joanie