The Best Secret Speakeasy Bars in Buenos Aires

Often without full published addresses, some only open to members and others requiring a secret password to enter; Buenos Aires’ nightlife is getting even more unique with the emergence of secret speakeasies popping up around the city. The city has always been famous for its classic wine bars, exclusive cocktail bars and pubs serving artisanal beers but this new breed of speakeasy bars are quickly sprucing up the bar scene and even gaining some international recognition. With one of our 6 regional offices in Latin America located in Buenos Aires, find out which are our favorite, secret speakeasy bars in Buenos Aires.

The unassuming door of the bar Ocho7Ocho / Source

♦ Ocho7Ocho

Hidden behind two towering wooden doors in Buenos Aires’ up-and-coming neighborhood of Villa Crespo on the cusp of Palermo is Ocho7Ocho. With no sign other than the street address, Thames 878, and a doorman don’t be fooled by its unassuming entrance as once you enter you’ll be welcomed by an exclusive and romantic environment. A place to relax rather than party, the dazzling back-lit bar offers a legendary collection of whiskeys, retro drinks, cocktails of the day and an impressive selection of Argentina’s finest wines.

Thames 878, Villa Crespo (Mon-Fri open from 7pm & Sat-Sun open from 8pm)

Sip on Ocho7Ocho’s delightful cocktails / Source

♦ Frank’s Bar

Even if you find the small sign on the door that says “Frank’s”, you still face two tests to enter the bar. Each week a new password is released via a series of clues which they put on their Facebook Page. After figuring out the password and saying it to the doorman, he’ll give you a numerical code before you enter a smaller room where at the other end is a phone booth. Once you’ve entered the secret code in the phone booth the back panel will swing open to reveal an understated yet sophisticated bar. Although the cocktails are expensive in comparison to the other speakeasy bars in Buenos Aires, they are extremely well made by the talented bartenders and it is all part of the experience.

Arévalo 1445, Palermo Hollywood (Wed-Thu open from 9pm-3am & Fri-Sat open from 9pm-4am)

Get Frank’s password and experience one of Buenos Aires’ most unique bars / Source

♦ Bar Isabel

In the middle of all the action in Buenos Aires’ lively neighborhood of Palermo Soho is Bar Isabel, one of the most exclusive bars in the city thanks to the limited number of tables and its stunning jasmine-scented courtyard. Entrance to Bar Isabel is limited by the guest list so you will need to sign up before going if you want to try some of the best cocktails in Buenos Aires. Drinks are paid for with special casino-like chips and the bar serves up some seriously good martinis with the standout cocktail in our opinion being the house cocktail, Cruz 3.0.

Uriate 1664, Palermo Soho (Tue-Fri open from 19.30pm-5am & Sat open from 9pm-5am)

Make a reservation to get a table at the exclusive Isabel Bar / Source

♦ Floreria Atlantico

A flower shop by day (open every day from 10am until bar closes), this unique bar in the classic neighborhood of Recoleta opens up one of its doors at dusk that leads down into the basement. Floreria Atlantico is an award-winning bar with a special cocktail list categorized by the different countries that the wave of immigrants arrived from and settled in Argentina in the 1900s. As well as offering classic and traditional drinks on the menu, we highly recommend accompanying them with some equally mouth-watering appetizers and small platters form the authentic grill.

Arroyo 872, Recoleta (Mon-Weds open from 7pm-2am; Thurs open from 7pm-2.30am; Fri open from 7pm-4am; Sat open from 8pm-4am & Sun open from 8pm-2am)

Floreria Atlantico speakeasy bar in Buenos Aires

Don’t be fooled by the flower shop front, downstairs you’ll find the beautiful Floreria Atlantico bar / Source

♦ The Harrison Speakeasy

Whilst the speakeasy bars of the US during the Prohibition era had to hide behind stores and hotels, the sophisticated, exclusive members’ only Harrison Speakeasy is concealed behind its other business operation, Nicky NY Sushi at Malabia 1764. A trip back to the 1920s, no photos are allowed to be taken in the Harrison Speakeasy and it’s this hushed and hidden aspect which only adds to its individuality and exclusivity. Clearly stating that its location is ‘somewhere in Buenos Aires’ means that, unless you’re a member of the bar or, can sweet talk your way into the “cellar” (Harrison Speakeasy) after enjoying a delicious meal in the adjoining Nicky NY Sushi restaurant, you’ll just have to take our word for the fact that this is one of the best bars in Buenos Aires.

Somewhere in Buenos Aires (Tues open from 10pm-1.30am; Weds open from 10pm-2am; Thurs open from 10pm-2.30am & Fri-Sat open from 10pm-3am)

The Harrison Speakeasy bar in Buenos Aires

The Harrison Speakeasy is Buenos Aires’ most secret and sought after bar / Source

♦ Victoria Brown Bar

Beyond a secret door at the back of this daytime café and bakery is a huge mural of HRH Queen Victoria and although disguised, the hidden Victoria Brown bar welcomes all…no password or membership required. Look for a door that resembles an abandoned storefront and you’ll find a bar decorated with a fusion of the industrial revolution and contemporary chic. The drinks menu has a helpful compass page which in effect recommends which cocktails would be best suited to different patrons’ tastes. Given the bar’s popularity, a reservation is a must and can easily be made via their website.

Costa Rica 4827, Palermo Viejo (Tues to Sat open from 8pm)

Relax in the smart surroundings of the Victoria Brown Bar / Source

♦ Verne Club

Inspired by Jules Verne with the cocktail names based on the famed author’s writings, the Verne Club is one of Buenos Aires’ most elegant bars. There is even a section of the drinks menu that pays homage to the many cities of Phileas Fogg’s round the world journey, plus an absinthe tasting menu. One of the newer members of Buenos Aires’ bar scene, the romantic lighting and smooth sounds of jazz make it the perfect place to enjoy an expertly mixed cocktail and a good conversation inspired by the bar’s namesake.

Medrano 1475, Palermo Viejo (Mon-Tues open from 9pm-2am; Weds open from 8pm-2am; Thurs open from 8pm-3am; Fri open from 8pm-4am; Sat open from 9pm-4am & Sun open from 9pm-2am)

Go around the world with this Jules Verne inspired speakeasy bar in Buenos Aires / Source

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect trip to Buenos Aires & Argentina.

The Puertas Cerradas of Buenos Aires are Argentina’s Best Kept Secret

With a melting pot of influences and a genuine appreciation for enjoying all things leisurely, Buenos Aires is a city with an intense love for food. One of its best kept secrets is the community of puertas cerradas, or closed-door restaurants, where the city’s top chefs invite small groups of strangers into their homes to indulge in carefully crafted meals. Keep reading for an inside look at our favorite puertas cerradas in Buenos Aires.

Feast on the delectable flavors of Latin America at iLatina

♦ iLatina

Perhaps the biggest success of Buenos Aires’ closed-door restaurant scene is iLatina. Created by Colombian siblings Santiago, Camilo and Laura Macías, their seven course tasting menu takes you on a journey through the best ingredients and flavors of Latin America. Having caught the eye of major publications such as The New York Times, and The Guardian as well as Qantas Airlines’ in-flight magazine, at the end of 2015 iLatina won the ‘One to Watch Award’ at Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants annual award ceremony. Currently 2nd out of 3,203 restaurants in Buenos Aires on TripAdvisor, iLatina is without a doubt a unique and not to be missed gastronomic experience in Buenos Aires.

Delicate & beautiful presentation at the spectacular iLatina

♦ Colectivo Felix

Down a dim residential street in Chacarita, behind an unassuming front door, through a long, narrow hallway, Diego Felix and Sanra Ritten’s brainchild Colectivo Felix hides. The two moved from San Francisco to Buenos Aires in 2007 to start the closed-door restaurant armed with an appreciation for culinary experimentation and an eagerness to explore South American ingredients. The menu puts a pescatarian twist on classic Latin American dishes using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, and the result is a multi-course dinner that’s impeccably romantic. From pre-dinner drinks in the garden to the hum of acoustic guitar, eating at this Buenos Aires treasure feels like being let in on an incredible secret.

Colectivo Felix’s outdoor dining patio

♦ The Argentine Experience

The Argentine Experience started as a closed-door restaurant in an apartment in 2011 and has since grown into a 28-seat restaurant and bar in Buenos Aires’ neighborhood for all things hip: Palermo Hollywood. Instead of a candlelit dinner, think a three-hour immersive course in how to eat like an Argentine. Filled with plenty of food, fun, and homemade cocktails, two English speaking hosts help diners navigate choppy waters as they learn how to make empanadas from scratch, order their steak well-done or rare and, differentiate what it means to snack on a picada versus an alfajor. This no-frills introduction to the art that is eating like an Argentine, is something sure to be educational and hilarious.

Yerba Mate in an Argentinian Puerta Cerrada Restaurant

Enjoy the unique Argentine Experience / Source

♦ Steaks by Luis

Somewhere in between Colectivo Felix’s romantic dinner party and The Argentine Experience’s laughter-filled crash course is Steaks by Luis, a closed-door experience where food lovers flock for an authentic asado or Argentine barbecue. The Palermo Soho loft satisfies all culinary curiosities with its authentic parilla (Argentine grill), carefully chosen wine pairings, and five course dinner where picadas, traditional Argentine grilled vegetables, and the succulent medium rare steaks shine. Classically simple, the refined Buenos Aires puerta cerrada experience centers around the ritual behind the beloved Argentine meal.

The parilla at Steaks by Luis / Source

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect trip to Buenos Aires & Argentina.

The Best Buenos Aires Gaucho Experiences

Argentine gauchos are the skilled horsemen and cowhands who maintain the estancias (ranches) throughout the Argentine countryside. After their heyday in the 18th century, these iconic cowboys grew into folk legends when literary heavyweights José Hernández and Ricardo Güiraldes immortalized their lives in epic tales.

It might not be obvious in the bustling boulevards of Buenos Aires, but the gaucho freedom, gentlemanly elegance, and nomadic mystery, are woven deep into Argentina’s national identity.

Now that you’ve decided on a trip to Argentina, it’s time to start planning your authentic Buenos Aires gaucho experience, a trip as as easy as driving just outside of the capital!

Horse rides through Estancia El Ombú in San Antonio de Areco

♦ Day Tour of San Antonio de Areco

San Antonio de Areco, the birthplace of gaucho culture, rests 72 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. A day tour of the Argentine “city of historic national interest,” leads visitors through the quaint colonial streets to the charming historic city center and even the inside of a silversmith’s workshop.

Before heading to Estancia El Ombú for lunch, guides explain pulperías, where general stores and bars combined to become the neighborhood hangout for everything from groceries to gambling.

Travelers will undoubtedly head home from this tour with full bellies and a new appreciation for the intricate history of gaucho traditions.

Experience an authentic asado (barbecue) at an estancia / Source

♦ Overnight Stay at Estancia El Ombú de Areco

In just an hours time, the drive from Buenos Aires to the beautiful Estancia El Ombú de Areco in San Antonio de Areco transports travelers to an idyllic picture of modern gaucho life.

Whether it’s observing a cattle drive or touring the 750 acre estancia in a horse-drawn carriage, an overnight stay at the historical property is a rare chance to live alongside modern gauchos.

The family-owned ranch combines the best of quiet pampa life with luxurious amenities and personalized attention. Eva Boelcke, the estancia’s owner, still roams the ranch ready to sip maté and explain gaucho folktales to all who care to sit beside her among the ranch’s eucalyptus trees.

The traditional dining room of Estancia El Ombù

♦ Fiesta Gaucha Day Trip

If an overnight stay just won’t fit in your itinerary, don’t panic! We can include a day trip to our favorite, Estancia El Ombú, to sample the best the estancia has to offer at their Fiesta Gaucha.

Guests can ride horses across the vast property, follow professional guides on a walking tour, or observe any of the ranch’s fascinating stock-rearing activities.

An asado with the highest quality meats and local wines is set to the sounds of traditional gaucho music and folk dancers swirling around the room. Before setting off for your next adventure, gauchos demonstrate classic ranch skills like bullock lassoing and hog-ties.

Gaucho demonstration at Estancia El Ombú

♦ A Day Trip to the Mataderos Market

If you’re eager to soak in the sights and sounds of gaucho traditions, look no further than The Mataderos Market. Known to locals as the Feria de Matadores, the weekly fair just outside of the capital is where gaucho customs spring to life with alluring aromas of rural recipes, flockloric dances, and handmade crafts.

After a friendly chat with matadores selling everything from chorípan to homemade olive oil, travelers get a front row seat to the dramatic corrida de sortijas.

The historical sport has gauchos gallop their way to a suspended ring in the hopes of pulling it down with a twig as the crowd erupts with “viva! viva!” Handmade silver and leather works at the market are more affordably priced than those in the Buenos Aires markets, making this the perfect place to find one of a kind gifts to bring home.

Corrida de Sortija at the Feria de Mataderos

Corrida de sortijas at Feria de Matadores in the Buenos Aires Province / Source

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your authentic gaucho experience in Buenos Aires.

Best Wine Destinations in South America

It’s no secret that Argentina and Chile are home to some of the world’s most breathtaking and varied landscapes, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the soil from those landscapes is as fertile as it is stunning.

Both countries produce bold and flavorful wines that gain more notoriety each year, and tasting them in the center of where they’re made is as easy as taking a two hour flight from Buenos Aires or driving just outside of Santiago!

Whether it’s trying Torrontés in Cafayate or comparing subtle differences in Malbecs from Colchagua and Luján de Cuyo, there is something for every wine drinker in the history, passion, and process of winemaking in South America.

Learn about the winemaking process in Mendoza

♦ Mendoza, Argentina

Maipú – Just south of the city of Mendoza in Maipú is the Familia Zuccardi bodega, a small family-owned winery offering visitors an intimate chance to take part in the winemaking process. After a guided tour through the cellars, wine-lovers can help with the harvest, take a wine-tasting course, or even tour the estate in a hot air balloon!

Luján de Cuyo – Experience the best that Argentina’s first delineated appellation has to offer with a stay at Entre Cielos in Luján de Cuyo. The 16-room luxury hotel sits on 20 acres of rolling countryside near the northern banks of the Mendoza River. Guests can induldge in vinotherapy, Hamam spa treatments and the tastes of robust Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay that the region is known for.

Walking through the vineyard of the Entre Cielos Hotel

♦ Cafayate, Salta, Argentina

Cafayate in the heart of the Calchaquíes Valley is Argentina’s second most popular wine region. It’s high altitude and intense sunlight cause grapes to grow thicker skins, making a delectable white wine special to the region called Torrontés. A visit to bodega El Esteco, where you can sip Torrontés and Malbec to a dramatic backdrop of the red-capped Andes, is a perfect day trip from Salta.

The stunning red-rock landscape surrounding Cafayate’s vineyards

♦ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Since the writing of this article, we regret to inform you that Anuva Wines has closed down!

When Dan Karlin moved to Buenos Aires he realized that not every traveler had time to include Mendoza and the other wine destinations in South America in their itineraries, so he brought the bodega to Buenos Aires. His tasting room, Anuva Wines, in Palermo Soho features boutique wines from family-run bodegas from all over Argentina. Anuva’s experienced sommeliers break the common mold of stuffy wine tastings with their friendly demeanor and rich knowledge-base.

Enjoy tasting the boutique wines of Argentina at Anuva Wines

♦ Santiago Wine Valley, Chile

Maipo – Not to be confused with Argentina’s Maipù, Maipo is a historic Chilean wine region with plants dating back to the Spanish conquistadors. Only 45 minutes from Santiago, Latin America’s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro, is the perfect place to learn about the “bold but elegant” Cabernet-based wines that define the region. Tours include walks through the winery’s gardens where vines planted by the founder in 1883 are still growing.

Colchagua – 2 ½ hours from Santiago on the southern border of the Rapel Valley, Colchagua is known for it’s “full-bodied” Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec and is applauded as one of Chile’s most exquisite wine regions. There is no shortage of wineries to visit in Colchagua and after learning all about the region’s grapes we recommend stopping in the Colchagua Museum to see one of Latin America’s most impressive collections of pre-hispanic art.

Visit the famous Concha y Toro Winery in Chile’s region of Maipo

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect South American Wine Tour.

Best Places for Coffee in Costa Rica

Aside from the stunning scenery, plethora of wildlife and world of adventures, Costa Rica is also home to a thriving coffee industry. With its fertile landscapes and volcanic soils, the Central Valley was the birthplace of coffee in Costa Rica and it has developed into one of Costa Rica’s most important exports.

Coffee in Costa Rica first announced itself to the world in the 18th century, when the golden grain or ‘grano de oro’ first began to fuel the economy of Costa Rica.

Today, Costa Rica’s grano de oro is recognized as being some of the best coffee in the world and as with many things in Costa Rica, the whole production process has been carefully designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. There are certain cafes, coffee-themed hotels and plantations which offer a unique and full Costa Rica coffee experience and below are just some of our favorites.

Colorful traditional oxcarts are still used at the Doka Estate to transport the coffee

♦ Doka Estate Coffee Farm – Alajuela

The Doka Estate is located on the fertile slopes of the Poás Volcano and has been growing and roasting award-winning coffee for three generations. One of our favorite activities while exploring the volcanic landscapes surrounding San José is the Doka Estate Coffee tour that gives you an intimate understanding of the coffee production process from the seed to the cup.

The Vargas family has owned and operated the Doka farm since 1940 and their roasting factory is the oldest in Costa Rica with it being declared an Architectural Heritage for Humanity site in 2003.

Exploring the coffee estate in this way will give you a newfound appreciation for the time, effort, work and care that goes into making the perfect blend of coffee. Having tasted the coffee of the Doka Estate we recommend buying the coffee there, even if it is at the start of your Costa Rica itinerary as they have the best prices for their star coffee roast, the Peaberry AA.

From bean to cup, explore the entire coffee making process on the Doka Estate Coffee Tour

♦ Kalú Café – San José

While staying in Costa Rica’s capital of San José, make sure to visit the beautiful and contemporary Kalú Café. The Kalú Café Cafeoteca is a space that is designated to exploring the diffusion of Costa Rica’s coffee and culture and serves up the best coffee from boutique producers from all different areas of Costa Rica.

Together with the master barista and toaster you will be able to choose and taste the exceptional varieties of coffee grains and beans before you sit back and relax with your favorite coffee beverage.

Aside from providing a great Costa Rica coffee learning experience, the Kalú Café serves up some tasty treats to have alongside your coffee especially the cheesecakes. We also recommend getting your coffee souvenirs and presents to take home from Kalú Café.
Address: On the corner of Calle 31 & Av. 5, in front of Banco Improso in San José’s Escalante neighborhood (Closed on Mondays)

While exploring San José make sure to stop off at Kalú Café for great coffee & deserts / Source

♦ Hotel Finca Rosa Blanca – Heredia

Set amid stunning coffee plantations high above the Central Valley forests on the outskirts of San José, the Finca Rosa Blanca ensures that your stay is no less than spectacular. A favorite among honeymooners traveling to Costa Rica, the Hotel Finca Rosa Blanca offers its guests a special tour of its 30-acre organic coffee farm, processing plant and roasting house where you’ll also be able to enjoy a coffee-tasting at the end.

The beautiful grounds of the Rosa Blanca are not just limited to coffee and while exploring the sustainable crops you will come across all sorts of produce from bananas and plantains to oranges, mangos and limes.

To ensure you appreciate the beauty of this deluxe inn and its surroundings, the rooms have unforgettable views over the coffee plantations and spring-fed swimming pool, further adding to the romance of it all.

Surrounded by its very own organic coffee plantation, Finca Rosa Blanca is one of the most unique places to stay in Costa Rica

♦ Don Juan Coffee Farm – Monteverde

High up in the Cloud Forest Reserve of Monteverde is the Don Juan Coffee Farm. Here you can learn how coffee is roasted and how the production and processing of coffee transform coffee beans into a drink with a delicate flavor to meet the various markets and tastes.

Owned by one of the first families to settle in Monteverde, the Don Juan Coffee tour has a strong focus on the history and tradition of Costa Rican coffee.

As an important part in Costa Rica’s cultural identity, you’ll be introduced to the unique bond between the age-old authentic coffee production and consumption and how this tradition turned Costa Rica into a country known for its peace, stability and progress.

Discover the special bond between coffee & Costa Rica culture at the Don Juan Coffee Farm / Source

♦ Alma de Café – San José

Housed within San José’s National Theater, considered to be one of the finest historic buildings in the capital, is Alma de Café. Surrounded by the exquisite interior of the theater, the Alma de Café not only serves up aromatic Costa Rican coffee but it is one of the most beautiful cafes in the city.

The atmosphere is simply enticing as you lose yourself in the ceiling fresco of the theater which in 2014 was named by USA Today as one of the ’10 Great Ceilings Around the World’.

Evoking feelings of the 1900s in Vienna rather than the present day, the Alma de Café is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee in Costa Rica’s capital.
Address: National Theater of San José, Av. 2 between Calle 3 & Calle 5 in San José’s Catedral District

The Alma de Café in Costa Rica’s National Theater is one of the most ornate places to enjoy a cup of coffee / Source

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect Costa Rica itinerary.

The Best Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro’s ideal coastal location offering an abundance of fresh fish and seafood has attracted a number of high quality chefs producing ethnically diverse cuisine, creating an outstanding culinary scene. With hundreds of award-winning restaurants and innovative chefs in Rio de Janeiro, the city is drawing a dazzling fusion of dishes from all over Brazil and the world. Offering such an array of restaurants and gastronomic experiences waiting to be enjoyed, you won’t want to miss our guide to the best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro.

Roberta Sudbrack Restaurant brings a modern twist to the Brazilian classics / Source

♦ Contemporary Brazilian Comfort Food at Roberta Sudbrack

After 7 years cooking at Brazil’s Presidential Palace, chef Roberta Sudbrack decided to go it alone and opened her own restaurant in Rio’s upmarket Zona Sul. The 9-course tasting menu uses only the finest seasonal ingredients from local markets and the menu is updated on a near daily basis. The Roberta Sudbrack restaurant offers a number of wonders in the low-key restaurant, embracing old-fashioned cooking methods with contemporary style. If it is in season and on the menu we recommend the smoked okra in semi-cooked shrimp, the beetroot ravioli and the delicious Brazilian fruit-based desserts. As the highest rated restaurant located in Rio de Janeiro in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America, Roberta Sudbrack’s fusion of Brazilian comfort food and minimalism sets the restaurant apart from the rest in Rio de Janeiro.
Av. Lineu de Paula Machado 916, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro

Enjoy the best of Rio’s fish at the Roberta Sudbrack Restaurant / Source

♦ French food with a Brazilian Twist at Olympe

Claude Troisgros is the most famous TV chef in Brazil having been a pioneer in the use of native Brazilian products in fine dining. Moving from France to Brazil in 1979, over the years he has helped to change Brazil’s attitude towards local produce and food. In 2003, Claude opened Olympe with his son Thomas, concentrating on the unique fusion between French and Brazilian cuisine. Situated on a quiet tree-lined street in the Lagoa neighborhood of Rio, the quaint clay-tiled roof house has an air of classical elegance. From red mullet with tucupi and kiss peppers porridge to grilled scallops with palm heart carpaccio, Olympe is a French restaurant with a Brazilian soul and deserves its place on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America.
Rua Custódio Serrão 62, Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro

Olympe’s grilled scallops, carpaccio of palmetto, sweet milk & farofa pejibaye / Source

♦ Traditional Brazilian Dishes at Aprazível

Hidden away on a quintessential Santa Teresa street, Aprazível restaurant not only offers beautiful dishes but stunning views from its blossoming garden. Brazil’s land and sea based culinary highlights can be found here and although a bit out of the way, it is well worth making the journey. In case you need transport, the restaurant can provide at an extra cost, a private car to pick you up or drop you off at your hotel. With Brazilian culture characterized by the diversity of outside influences from Africa and Europe as well as the native-Indian culture; Aprazível summarizes the beauty and diversity of Brazil. Being located in Rio’s most traditional and bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, Chef Ana Castilho who once lived in the house where the restaurant is now located produces the very best of Brazilian home cooking.
Rua Aprazível 62, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro

Soak up the beauty of Aprazível’s unique location / Source

♦ Rio’s Best Barbecue at Porcão

Rio Grande located in southern Brazil is home to the Brazilian gauchos who like their Argentinean neighbors enjoy succulent meats cooked on a barbecue. Having explored Rio de Janeiro, you will see a number of ‘churrascarias’ which are traditional barbecue restaurants and the three Porcão restaurants are regarded as the best churrascarias in Rio. With one in Ipanema (Rua Barão da Torre 218) and another in Barra da Tijuca (Av. Armando Lombardi 591) we recommend going to Porcão Rio’s. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Parque do Flamengo and offering stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain, make sure to arrive early both to get a good table to watch one of Rio’s famous sunsets. Serving up skewer after skewer of beef, pork or poultry until you flip the coaster that says stop, this is as much a cultural as it is a culinary experience in Rio de Janeiro.
Av. Infante Dom Henrique, Aterro do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro

Views of Sugarloaf Mountain & great meat make Porcão Rio the the city’s best churrascaria / Source

♦ An Elegant Belle Epoque Café at Confeitaria Colombo

Opened in 1894, Confeitaria Colombo shows the elegance of Rio’s downtown neighborhood at the turn of the 20th Century. Drawing inspiration from Europe’s grand tearooms, Colombo was founded as a pastry shop but has since developed into and elegant café. While enjoying the quality of its pastries, you will find yourself hypnotized by the sumptuous Art Nouveau architecture and design which brought a new sense of luxury and elegance to downtown Rio de Janeiro. If you are looking for something more substantial to eat, on the second floor of the building is the Cristóvão restaurant which serves a mix of Spanish and Portuguese dishes. We recommend reserving a table at the restaurant on the central balcony overlooking the tearoom below and with a closer view of the stained glass ceiling dome.
Rua Gonçalves Dias 32, Centro, Rio de Janeiro

Confeitaria Colombo is a must see when visiting Rio de Janeiro / Source

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your unique Brazil itinerary.

Our Special Interview with iLatina Restaurant in Buenos Aires

In our last blog article we took a look at the Buenos Aires restaurants that made it into Latin America’s Top 50 Restaurants. One particular restaurant in Buenos Aires that we feel is missing from this list is the spectacular, iLatina Restaurant. With 2,386 restaurants currently registered on TripAdvisor, since opening its doors to business in Buenos Aires, iLatina has maintained its position at number 1.

Reading the 540+ glowing TripAdvisor reviews, you too will be looking to enjoy this completely unique gastronomic experience in Buenos Aires.

Created by Colombian siblings Santiago, Camilo and Laura Macías, their seven course tasting menu will take you on a journey through the best of Latin America’s unique flavors and ingredients. We were lucky enough to not only eat in this fantastic restaurant but to speak with Camilo, to find out more about iLatina’s special story that has caught the eye of The New York Times, The Guardian, Qantas Airlines among many others.

Duck confit with tamarind sauce and quinoa salad

♦ Please can you give us a brief overview of iLatina’s story?

It all started when my brother, Santiago, who’s the chef of the restaurant came to Buenos Aires 10 years ago to study the culinary arts. At this time in Colombia there weren’t many Culinary Schools and so Buenos Aires was a very good option and following his studies, he then stayed in Argentina. One day he went on vacation to Bariloche and liked it so much that he ended up staying there and continued to work in the kitchen of a number of hotels and restaurants. A couple of years after moving to Bariloche he came up with the idea of opening a restaurant and he called me up to ask me to leave Colombia and go to Bariloche to open a restaurant with him. In 2008 we opened iLatina in Bariloche and we were there until just after the Puyehue Volcano erupted in 2012 when we decided it was time to move to Buenos Aires. iLatina in Buenos Aires has been open for the last 2 years and it has been extremely enjoyable. As a family business, I look after the restaurant’s dining area and I’m in charge of the wines, my brother Santiago is the chef and my sister Laura takes care of the restaurant’s design and customer service.

♦ What is the style of food from the restaurant and what is its inspiration?

The style of food in our restaurant is Latin American cuisine with a big influence from Colombian cuisine especially from the Caribbean coast. Although we lived in Colombia’s capital city of Bogota, our family is from Cartagena which lies on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast and we also spent some years living there. The food and cuisine from this area of Colombia is therefore very important for us and our family and has had a big influence on us and iLatina.

Watch the chefs hard at work in iLatina’s open kitchen

♦ What has been you best moment since you opened iLatina in Buenos Aires?

We’ve had so many amazing moments since we opened iLatina in Buenos Aires. The truth is that having the approval and acceptance of our clients as well as reading all the good press reviews and TripAdvisor comments brings us a lot of happiness. We are also enjoying the great challenge of continuing to bring happiness and great cuisine to our clients, and seeing the success and results of our hard work and dedication.

♦ What’s the restaurant industry like in Buenos Aires?

It’s good although I read the other day that a lot of restaurants are now closing in Buenos Aires. However I think it’s also the case that a lot of new restaurants are opening up and balancing out the situation. The restaurant industry in Buenos Aires continues to create a new level of the product being produced. If a restaurant is producing a quality product, respects its clients and works responsibly, then it will function very well in Buenos Aires as it would do in any other destination.

♦ What is your opinion about Colombian cuisine in Argentina and the rest of the world?

Colombian cuisine was for some time unknown to those living outside of the country however I think that little by little the popularity of its cuisine has grown. The Colombian cuisine is very diverse and varies greatly depending on the region of the country. If you’re on the Caribbean coast, the Pacific Coast, in the Andes or, exploring the Amazon, each region has a different style and cuisine which thanks to a number of great and talented Colombian chefs, is becoming more recognized outside of Colombia. There is also a number of annual food and gastronomy events, such as the recent Bogota Food and Wine Week that took place at the end of August that are helping to raise the profile of Colombia’s cuisine. The cuisine of Colombia has also gained in popularity thanks to the overall positive marketing of Colombia as a travel destination.

Typical Colombian coffee infused with cinnamon and cardamom accompanied by petit fours

♦ Will iLatina be having a special celebration this Christmas and New Year’s Eve?

Every Christmas and New Year’s Eve we do something special and this year is no different. On the evening of the 24^th December and 31^st December we will be organizing a special menu for these 2 dates. We are currently putting the finishing touches to the menu and you should be able to see these special menus on our new website at some time in October or November.

♦ What is your favorite dish at iLatina?

It’s difficult to choose one but I would have to say that I really like the Barú-style Ceviche. Barú is a peninsula which is just south of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is known for its beaches, and is a paradisiacal and incredible place that you have to visit. It was in Barú that Santiago created this recipe and dish, consisting of sole fish ceviche, coconut, lychee and mango; giving it very tropical flavors.

♦ What is your favorite memory of Christmas & New Year’s Eve at iLatina?

Since opening iLatina in Buenos Aires, our Christmas and New Year’s Eve memories have always been working. We really enjoy sharing these two special days with our customers in our restaurant, where we work hard while enjoying theses special days and celebrations.

♦ How do Colombians celebrate Christmas & New Year?

We celebrate a lot! Colombians love celebrating all types of events and there is a well-known saying by famous Colombian writer, Gabriel García Márquez who said, “Where more than 6 Colombians come together, it always ends in a party and dancing.” I completely agree with this and it means that all our memories of celebrations back in Colombia are very special.

Braised pork in Colombian coffee and sugarcane reduction

♦ What is a typical Christmas or New Year dish in Colombia?

The 9 days before Christmas in Colombia we get together with friends and family for the ‘Novenas’ and there is always food involved. Traditionally you will have Natilla which resembles a flan or pudding and has cinnamon or coconut sprinkled on top. Another traditional Christmas dish is Buñuelos which are small fried cheese balls. Both Natilla and Buñuelos are very representative of Colombian food at Christmas.

♦ When you go out with your siblings to eat in Buenos Aires (aside from iLatina) where do you like to go to?

It very much depends on what we want to eat. For a good parilla (Argentine barbeque) we enjoy going to Don Julio (Guatemala 4691, Palermo Viejo) and for pasta we like Il Ballo del Mattone (Gorriti 5737, Palermo). The restaurant Aramaburu does a delicious tasting menu which we like going to and when we want something to get a bite to eat and some great drinks we go to Floreria Atlántico (Arroyo 872, Retiro) and 878 (Thames 878, Villa Crespo). In the neighborhood of Abasto there are some very good Peruvian restaurants that we enjoy eating at. Overall, Buenos Aires has a very good and diverse range of restaurants to enjoy.

♦ Does Colombia have any interesting Christmas or New Year customs?

A Colombian custom on New Year’s Eve takes place just before midnight where people go out of their houses with a suitcase and walk around the block of their neighborhood. It is supposed to signify and assure lots of travel in the incoming year and the name we give these types of New Year traditions are ‘agüeros’ in Spanish.

Enjoy the flavors of the seven course tasting menu at iLatina

♦ If you could invite anyone, dead or alive to your Christmas dinner, who would it be?

I would invite Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra to Christmas dinner – this would be a party for some days!

♦ What are you going to be asking from Santa Claus this year for Christmas?

I will be asking for lots of presents for my daughter who is just 2 months old.

iLatina Restaurant
We would like to say thank you to Camilo and the iLatina team for taking time to speak with us. Don’t forget to make your iLatina reservation or to ask your Class Adventure Travel specialist to reserve a table for you. Keep an eye out for their Christmas & New Year special menu and see their current, delicious tasting menu for an unforgettable dining experience during your vacation in Buenos Aires!

Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your unique Buenos Aires Christmas & New Year’s Eve itinerary.

The Best Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Last week Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurant list was published and while restaurants from Lima, the capital of Latin American food took 3 of the top 10 places, restaurants in Buenos Aires have become a regular feature on this list.

To be exact, no other city or country in the 2014 Top 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America list had more award winning restaurants than Buenos Aires and Argentina.

In total, 11 restaurants out of the 50 are located in Buenos Aires, beating Lima which only had 8 restaurants featured on the list. Why not spend celebrating Christmas this year in Buenos Aires for a culinary and festive dream like no other? To get your travel taste buds tickling, here’s a closer look at the top 5 of the 11 award winning restaurants in Buenos Aires that made it into the 2014 list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Tegui’s unique entrance / Source

♦ Tegui (No. 9), Costa Rica 5852, Palermo – Best restaurant in Argentina award

With a secret graffiti-surrounded door, when arriving at Tegui you might begin to wonder if you’re at the right place. Often the case in Buenos Aires, you’ll pass by a nondescript door which hides the magic that can only be found in this special city. Tegui has a small but luxurious dining room complete with a gleaming open kitchen allowing you to see the chefs hard at work. The food and carefully matched wines will define your experience because the menu changes with an unusual frequency from continent to continent, style to style and complexity to simplicity. Chef-restaurateur, Germán Martitegui has developed an adoring group of followers with this unusual gastronomic experience that has made him into Argentina’s number 1 chef and Tegui into the best restaurant in Buenos Aires and Argentina.

Frog legs, parsley and fried egg yolk / Source

♦ Aramburu (No. 14), Salta 1050, San Telmo

Behind an unmarked door in Buenos Aires’ artistic neighborhood of San Telmo, is Aramburu which offers a unique tasting menu with optional wine pairings. Chef, Gonzalo Aramburu puts a creative twist on Argentinean cuisine with a 12-course tasting menu that includes standout dishes such as suckling pig with squash puree and mandarin sorbet. With Argentina being recognized worldwide for its quality of meat, Aramburu shows off his skills cooking with meat. However, Aramburu is also an interactive experience with guests encouraged to sear their own shrimp on a hot stone or garnish their plates. Electing the optional wine tasting is also highly recommended with the award-winning sommelier Agustina de Alba selecting the wines.

Aramburu’s interactive dishes / Source

♦ Tarquino (No. 16), Rodríguez Peña 1967, Recoleta – Highest new entry award

Winning the highest new entry award, Tarquino typifies the forward-thinking gastronomic ambitions of Argentineans today. The 40-seat restaurant located in the Hub Porteno Hotel in the French-style Buenos Aires neighborhood of Recoleta has set about deconstructing and then reimagining Argentina’s classic dishes. Head chef Dante Liporace takes you on a journey where like in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory your imagination and taste buds run wild. Pizza at Tarquino comes in foam form served in a Martini glass and beef cheek is served with dehydrated potatoes and curried onion rings. As well as these imaginative dishes, Liporace also pays homage to Argentina’s culinary roots. With a strong accompanying list of wines and beautifully designed tasting menu, this will not be the last time that you hear about Tarquino.

http://www.tarquinorestaurante.com.ar/index_eng.php

The exciting & inventive dishes of Tarquino

♦ El Baqueano (No. 18), Chile 495, Esquina Bolivar, San Telmo – Highest climber award

Opening a meat restaurant in beef-obsessed Argentina is only for the brave. Fernando Rivarola’s El Baqueano restaurant located in San Telmo took the risk and it has more than paid off having been awarded the highest climber award. It is the restaurant’s sustainable and indigenous meats that take center stage with the restaurant offering llama, alligator, rhea (ostrich-like bird) and wild boar. Its weekly changing tasting menu has adventurous flavors and textures in dishes such as wild boar with cabbage and apple. Argentina as well as being one of the meat capitals of the world is also known for its delicate New World wines and the wine list at El Baqueano explores the country’s diverse wine regions. The chef, Fernando Rivarola continues to build alliances with his ‘cooking without borders’ project which brings the world’s best chefs to this restaurant to collaborate and create something even more spectacular.

Try different meats from around Argentina at El Baqueano / Source

♦ Chila (No. 21), Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160, Puerto Madero

Located in the modern, upmarket neighborhood of Puerto Madero’s docklands in Buenos Aires, Maria Soledad Nardelli’s restaurant, Chila, stands out for its modern approach when compared to the surrounding traditional steak restaurants. There is a 3-course à la carte menu as well as a 7-course tasting menu that focus on the best of regional ingredients. From the Parana River’s boga fish and prawns from the Patagonian city of Puerto Madryn, Nardelli has become an ambassador for her Argentina’s cuisine. Celebrating the regional ingredients can also be seen in Nardelli’s deserts which include the standout dish of Dulce de Leche soufflé.

Chila’s regional ingredients & beautiful dishes / Source

♦ Other restaurants in Buenos Aires on the 2014 Latin America’s Best 50 list:

– La Cabrera (No. 22), José Antonio Cabrera 5127, Palermo
– Tomo 1 (No. 23), Panamericano Buenos Aires Hotel & Resort, Carlos Pellegrini 521, Downtown
– Oviedo (No. 29), Antonio Beruti 2602, Recoleta
– Sucre (No. 47), Sucre 676, Belgrano
– Elena (No. 48), Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Posadas 1086/88, Recoleta
– Pura Tierra (No. 50), 3 de Febrero 1167, Belgrano

The Best Kept Secrets in Buenos Aires Dining

“You mean strangers come into your house to eat?” I get this kind of a reaction, eyebrows furled, voice balanced between confusion and curiosity at least once a week when I tell people that I run a restaurant out of my home. Although the closed door scene is a popular Buenos Aires dining trend with some 40 active puerta cerradas and a few websites that open up the opportunity for home chefs to host dinner parties for strangers, the community is still a bit of an anomaly. And maybe that is because, just as the porteño culinary scene is in a state of amazing evolution, every month it seems like a new closed door is popping up with something different to offer. No one thing defines the closed door restaurant concept. With that in mind, we’ve chosen some of our favorite closed doors, one for every occasion.

Fried Chicken at NOLA / Source

Low Key Dinner Party
NOLA is the brain child of Liza Puglia, the New Orleans born, New York trained chef who has become one of the scene’s queen bees in an impressively short amount of time, so popular that NOLA will be opening a brick and mortar establishment in the coming months. Although we absolutely love her four course Mexican-Creole meal (which comes with fantastically chosen wine pairings) we can’t get enough of her Broeder’s Beer Night. Every Thursday night NOLA and local brewery Broeder’s collaborate on a Southern inspired meal. Her trademark: fried chicken, mash, homemade biscuits and gravy, with the entire evening paired wonderfully with three pints of Broeder’s craft beers. The atmosphere is casual and fun, with four tables large enough to host a little more than 30 guests.

Intimate setting at Jueves a la Mesa / Source

Veggie-Friendly Evening
It’s no secret that Buenos Aires is not the most vegetarian friendly of cities. We are meat obsessed and proud of it! But every once and a while you just want a fresh salad and there’s nothing wrong with that. The tagline for Jueves a la Mesa says it all, “It’s good to eat plants.” The home of chefs Sofi Madriz and Meghan Lewis is a small oasis for vegetarians and carnivores in need of a meat and pizza breather, where every Thursday about 15 strangers rub shoulders over a thoughtful three course meal. To make the night just that much more unique, the meal is paired with local organic wine and topped off with homemade dark chocolates and ginger tea.

Succulent steaks at Steaks by Luis / Source

In Search of the Perfect Steak
In a small loft space in Palermo Soho sits Steaks by Luis, a decadent five course asado with wine pairings (it wouldn’t be an Argentine meal without a proper bottle of wine) that aims to be part fine dining part family affair. Luis grew up on his grandfather Rodolfo’s asados (traditional Argentinean barbecues) and had been his family’s official grill master for some 20 years before opening his own closed door. Those two decades of experience really show. Not only can he cook a perfect medium rare, but he will convert you into a fan of unique cuts like sweet bread, or the unfortunately named blood sausage. The meal is aimed at traveler’s that want the real experience of a family barbecue, a weekly event for many locals, that don’t have the opportunity to sit in on the real deal. Our favorite part: Luis explains every cut of meat before the grilling begins and lets guest help build the fire.

Explore Japanese food at Niji / Source

A Night Out with Friends
Maybe calling this place a puerta cerrada is a bit of a stretch. Niji more so follows the Japanese tradition of great restaurants in random places, anyone seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi? It is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week, and feels more like a neighborhood restaurant with the exception that it is located in an old home and is by reservation only. It also happens to offer one of our favorite Japanese menus in the city not only for the obvious freshness of ingredients and variety of options but it gets two things very right that many BA sushi houses fail miserably at: excellently cooked rice and rolls that are not oversaturated with cream cheese. Best enjoyed with a good group of amigos (picky friends abstain) to order a bunch of different dishes off of the menu and a bottle (or a few) of sake. We love the kitsch of the picture menu and the authenticity factor of a largely Japanese clientele.

Fine wines & delicious food at Casa Coupage / Source

A Wine Lover’s Fantasy
Casa Coupage is not just about the food, it is very much about the wine. But that’s not to say the food isn’t spectacular, whether you choose their 8 course tasting menu or prefer to order a la carte. Expect new ideas for classic Argentine dishes, like slow roasted pork elbow in a mandarin reduction, or fantastic traditional fare like homemade linguini, all served with a wonderful eye for detail and top notch service. This closed door is set up more like a restaurant, with private tables perfect for a romantic date, and the two sommeliers that play hosts will make sure that each glass of vino perfectly matches your dish. Go ahead and let your fancy self go.

Kevin Vaughn is food writer for MyBeautifulAir in addition to being the founder and head chef at MASA, a weekly closed door event that features Mexican and Southern inspired dishes.

This blog article is part of a special series that we’ll be presenting to our readers together with our friends at MyBeautifulAir. Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect Argentina itinerary.

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