A Sumptuous Gourmet Argentine Dinner

A visit to Buenos Aires means so much more than just grilled meats. Finding an elevated food experience with the wonderful products of this country is also a must. And with this goal in mind, I found Chila highly recommended by many... and it did not disappoint.

For me, the key to a fine dining experience is connection... you want one course to flow into the next. From the flavors, to the story of their selection, to the pairing with a good wine.

I was lucky enough to get a wonderful waitress who guided me through my meal at Chila. While seated at a table overlooking the river (a must!), dinner began around 10:45pm (eating in BA means starting at a proper BA time, right?)

A two-step amuse bouche started the meal well... not only with great flavors, but also with amazing presentation. (My first amuse was served on a piece of torched wood. The second on a rock!)

As a prix-fixe menu, you choose a 3-course or a 7-course. I went with the three which started with an amazing take on a tamal with purple corn and no husk (served impressively under a dome with steam.) This was probably the star of the night for me due to the complexity of flavors delivered from some a simple item. 

For a main, I selected the slow aged beef with garlic and Andean baby potatoes. Oh my.... it was simply delicious. The dish came out looking like a work of art, with the potatoes presented in various colors, preparations and styles, with sauces and spices making the dish look like the bottom of forest floor after the wind rustles the leaves free from the trees. Spectacular. The beef had intense flavors and just the right sear. 

I ended my meal with a custard over a lemon cake with crystalized cinnamon sheets. Lucious. 

The sommelier did an excellent job of suggesting wines for each course, making the overall meal experience relaxing and enjoyable.

For just over $100 USD, a meal of this caliber, in such a modern and elegant space, was just something that shouldn't be passed up. 

Oh... and receiving a few jars of their homemade jam as a gift on the way out... amazing!

I hope to come again soon.