New Year's Eve 2010 in Buenos Aires -- where should we eat?

[brooklynchris]

My boyfriend and I are going to be in Buenos Aires for New Year's Eve this year. We're staying at the Four Seasons and are looking for a nice restaurant where we can spend a fun evening. We don't mind spending a bit of money if it'll be worth it, but we don't want someplace stuffy. Ideally we'd like to go to the Argentine version of Gramercy Tavern in NYC (i.e., a place with really good, creative food served in a relatively casual restaurant). If you have any recommendations please let me know. We're 29 and 30, gay, and from NYC, if that helps.

[BLover33]

Hey Chris,
I'm a NY'r as well and I will be traveling to BA next week with my girlfriend. We also love Gramercy Tavern and great food. Causal to fancy. I have an extensive list but would love to hear your feedback. Any other places that you recommend other than your NYE dinner? Any rec's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[NYtrojan]

Another great NYE party will be at The Oasis Clubhouse. It's a beautiful member's-only club in Palermo Soho. They'll have an open bar, Argentine asado passed cocktail style, champagne toast, music, etc. The space is amazing and is worth checking out even if you don't make it to the NYE party. For more details http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi...

[DDD]

Avoid Mott for new year's - we had very high priced and very mediocre food, the appetizers and desserts were downright nasty. The steak was acceptable, but certainly below average for BA. Although the service was friendly. I will not return.

[americodoughlin]

Lot of restaurants in Puerto Madero, San Telmo and Palermo neighbourhoods!!! Mostly high prices, but you´ll find really good places and really good food (obviusly, not in everyplace). It´s important to make reservations for Christmas and NYE!!! And also later, you can find good pubs, disco, and partys to spend the rest of the night! I can recommend the International Party (http://www.fiestainternacional.com.ar). Enjoy! Cheers! Happy New Year!!!

[Dinnersf]

I was just in BA and I really liked Astrid y Gaston. Its in an old converted mansion painted with watermelon walls and these gray/green panels. The ceviche was great and its a good place to get dressed up to go even though as with every restaurant I was in BA there were people in jeans. I also like the food at BoBo in Palermo Soho and it has a cool fun vibe.

[brooklynchris]

Thank you all for your suggestions! Unfortunately I'm still not having any luck finding a place for New Year's Eve (we're not interested in the Four Seasons' event -- I've heard it's super stuffy and not our style). I do have one lead, though: La Vineria de Gualterio Bolivar may be open on New Year's Eve. I don't know yet for sure -- they haven't responded to my last email -- but I'll let you know if I learn anything. Other than that every place I've contacted is closed.

[tbelkas]

@brooklynchris, I'm going to be in BA for New Years as well and supposedly, my hotel is going to e-mail me with some options this week. I'll be sure to share anything he sends along on here!

[LaPerlaMia]

Astrid & Gascon is delicious and the house is beautiful. And funny I was thinking of suggesting BoBo for NYE. In fact, I'm almost sure I did. Great minds & all that. :o)

We (husband & I) have been in BA for two years now but always love to meet fellow foodies.
So when you're in town. Give me a shout out.

[brooklynchris]

Hey everyone! I got confirmation today that La Vineria de Gualterio Bolivar will indeed be open on NYE. The menu is pasted below. It costs 150 USD/person, which includes wine.

Appetizers
Olive butter with olives and bread
chicken chicharron
Fish-skin chicharron
Ceviche in its own juice
Passion fruit, vodka and ginger shooter
Parmesano cheese croquette
Small plates
The memory of the scent of the seaside woods after the rain (mushrooms boletus carrots beet radish turnip sprout of artiplex Nepeta Pimpinela Borraja (flor) Rucula (flor))
Egg - Bread - Truffle (Coulant-style yolk encased in bread, soft goat cheese, broth of chicken wings and the powder of white truffle oil)
Rabas
Sea and Mountain. March '09 - September '09 (Nitrogen-sealed scallops, butternut squash ravioli, mango, lamb tongue, "sea-stock," and seaweed salad)
Sea “Salmon” (mugiloides semifasciatus) + beans + black garlic + bacon
Sauce Grande’s truffles ( HC dixit)
Fondant of pork with apples (air of apple cider vinegar and tepid aromatic gelatin)
Lamb-less lamb. April '09 - September '09
Slow-cooked beef cheek with quínoa.
Pasaje
Piña / campari / piña
Desserts
Moscovado sugar cane ice cream with marinated strawberries.
Sierra-Mist (chocolate mountains, milk chocolate cream, goat's milk ice cream, truffle of yogurt and crunchy chocolate cereal, nitrogent-frozen air of cocoa)
Petits fours (rotating availability from the following list)
Bitter Bombón, lollipop, cotton candy, and cornstarch spongecake with a shot of dulce de leche
Valor del menu u$s 150 / ar$ 600
El menu incluye (vinos de alta gama):vino espumante, vinos blancos, tintos, vino dulce, café Nespresso, te evy, infusiones, agua Villavicencio, bebidas carbonatadas
Se toman reservas abonando el 50% del valor del menu por persona, hasta 24 hs antes a la cena, por transferencia bancaria, tarjeta de credito o pago en efectivo.
[e-mail]
Tel: desde el exterior (0054 11) 43 61 47 09

[tbelkas]

Perhaps I'll be seeing you there, brooklynchris, just confirmed my reservation for NYE at La Vineria de Gualterio!

[mlily]

I too will be in BA for New Year's Eve 2010. It is not easy to find open resturuants. Feana Hotel and 4 Season have events going on that cost around $450 USD per person. Would love to hear if you find anything out. We are 2 girls (straight) 1 gay visiting from Los Angeles

[Dinnersf]

Meant to add, if you get a chance, the desserts at Maria de Bambi in the Recoleta neighborhood were seriously to die for. It is a small cafe on a side street. Seriously, the best dessert I have had in years .

[hungryhog]

Did the Four Season 2 years ago. Expensive, very formal, many diplomats, elegant and perhaps a bit stuffy. The decor and food however, were exceptional. But you have to like that sort of thing. Elsewhere it seemed that NYE was like NYEs anywhere else; difficult to book and pricey. The fireworks along the river in front of the Four Seasons are superb, so try to get a room facing the river and have some champagne ready at midnight.

[globalgourmet]

Amazing what one finds on this Board. I'm from LA and headed to BA for Christmas and the week before! If any foodies want to get together Dec. 14-26, give me a shout.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

[rwillett]

Hi Brooklynchris. We are from Toronto and will also be in BA for NYE and are searching for a similar experince to you. We are definite fans of Danny Meyer's restaurants and would like a similar expereince. We are also gay (both 44) and traveling with a food writer from our West and she is looking at options. If you come up with any ideas shoot us an e-mail and we will do the same [e-mail] (Richard)