June 4, 2009

beef.

Being here for one month and not having had any steak could be considered a sin, but finally, a traditional Argentine beef dinner... and it was well worth the wait.

La Cabrera was everything I hoped for and more. It's one of the most popular parrillas (grills) in the city, so you'll find a mix of both porteƱos (locals) and foreigners waiting outside for a table. Since we got there around 10pm with no reservation we were told we had a 45-50 minute wait. Would that be OK, even though we wouldn't eat until after 11 and the Buenos Aires winter weather was setting in while we waited outside? Not a problem, since they keep their waiting guests warm with complimentary champagne and passed hors d'oeuvres of chorizo and stuffed olives. We could wait all night with this treatment. But alas, the beef was waiting for us and we were finally seated at a corner table in the cozy restaurant.

Along with our basket of bread we were served 2 different dipping sauces and a bulb of roasted garlic which was delicious. One of us had eaten here before and knew that 2 beef dishes for 3 of us would be plenty, and she was right. We ordered a beef with thyme, and another beef dish which the server recommended. They soon arrived, along with 6 little ramekins of "side dishes" each, then another platter of at least 6 more ramekins. The side dishes were a mix of hot and cold items, from caramelized garlic to cold potatoes, mashed potatoes, squash, applesauce, cooked eggplant, beans, mini caprese salad, artichoke, and more. Some were not great and didn't even get touched, but others (garlic, mashed potatoes, squash) were worth eating.

We ordered the meat medium but it came out a little more medium rare. The beef with thyme was so tender and delicious. The other dish was also very delicious, just not as tender. 2 dishes, especially due to the size of one of them, was more than enough. The entire La Cabrera experience left us happy and satisfied.

look at the size of that steak!


La Cabrera is located at Cabrera 5099, in Palermo. Their sister restaurant, La Cabrera Norte, is located a few doors down at Cabrera 5127.

2 comments:

Sara said...

wow beef--a completely different culture there than in azerbaijan. it's better to STAY away from the beef here. if i wasn't a veggie before coming here I certainly would have considered becoming one.

I'm so glad you're getting out and exploring. it's so fascinating to hear, and see all about it! miss you!

paul said...

the steak looks amazing ... and i love the chocolate with the coffee