September’s Monthly Lunch

Posted on September 21, 2012 by dawngill

Il Vero Arturito

San Luis 2999, Abasto , CABA

Tel: 4961-4280

The good news is that the owner of one of my favorite restaurants has agreed to let us dine at her restaurant this Thursday September 27th. This is no small concession as the venue is packed to overflowing every day and she does not want to disappoint her regular customers by not having a table available.

The bad news is that we will be limited to two tables of 10 each – so act quickly if you want to attend.

Il Vero Arturito’s is “… in the pantheon of great restaurants in town, one of those endangered places that we like …”. “Arturito … has no competition and things are simple … nothing new-wave… here you eat well and traditional!” The dining is “family” style with platters of food being delivered to share. Although the guides list the restaurant as Italian the specialty of the house is Kid (baby goat) and this is the dish that will be featured for our September luncheon – the Chivito Provenzal with papas espanol.

However, the pasta (all homemade) is not to be overlooked and, in fact, I can say without hesitation that their Vermichellis Carbonara is the best that I have ever had – and you know that I am pretty picky! – this dish will also be on our table. The third dish on the table will be a red sauce pasta – the Fusilli Fileto.

This traditional neighborhood restaurant is a slice of history, linen napkins and tablecloths, a staff of professional attentive waiters and a great menu.

The following quote sums up my feelings: “Excellent, I go quite often and love it. The service is perfect and the food is plentiful and tasty. “

The full menu for our luncheon is:

A welcoming empanada, chivito and pasta dishes to share, water, wine and a champagne toast to finish off.

The cost including tip is 100 pesos.

RSVP is mandatory to: mweldon213@yahoo.com

The restaurant is on the corner of San Luis and Jean Juares. If you are taking the bus it is a 3 block walk from Puerrrydon and San Luis or a 1 block walk from Cordoba and Jean Juares.

ADEA – World of Chocolate Annual Benefit

Posted on September 19, 2012 by dawngill

Calling all chocolate lovers!

Combine your love of chocolate with a great night out!

Starting at 7:30pm on Thursday 27^th September, ADEA (Association of Diplomatic Spouses in Argentina) will hold their annual charity dinner dance at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center (San Martin 1225) in the Salon Retiro.

This evening promises to be a unique event bringing together several recognized chefs and chocolatiers both from within Argentina and also from around the world.

Tickets are $450 pesos per person, the ticket price includes dinner, wine and dancing. Contact info@adeaargentina.com.ar for more information or to purchase tickets. Payment is available in cash or via bank transfer.

Kick off the weekend early!

To see our video on youtube, click here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV3_LNYHulY.

This Week with BAIN Downtown

Posted on September 17, 2012 by dawngill

There are so many exciting events this week with BAIN Downtown, it’s hard to choose which ones to attend! Luckily, you don’t have to choose – you can attend them all! Become a member today and your calendar will fill up quickly with lots of diverse and interesting events that are sure to catch your fancy. Start the process by filling out our New Membership Sign-Up Form and one of our Board Members will contact you within the day!

You can always see an updated list of events on our Calendar, but here is a quick view of this week’s events:

Wednesday, September 19

10:00am – 12:00pm: Baby/Toddler Group Play Date – bring your little one and join our play date in Recoleta. This week there will be an extra treat, a sampling of baked goods from the new bakery Lucho’s Homemade Treats. Contact Niccole de Campos niccoledecampos@mac.com to RSVP.

8:45pm: Monthly Dinner at Parilla Donca – Join in our dinner group this month as guest host Jim Isaacs organizes this tasty event. The restaurant is located at Charcas 4799 (on the corner of Godoy Cruz, in Palermo) and for a price of 125 pesos per person you get a three course meal, a glass of wine, one gaseosa or water, service/table charge and tip – not too shabby! For a full menu, visit our Newsreel. Contact Jim Isaacs jisaacs61@hotmail.com to RSVP.

Thursday, September 20

11:00am – 1:00pm: Book Club – This month’s title is Rumors of Rain by Andre Brink, a story of corruption and redemption in South Africa. We will meet at a member’s home in Recoleta, email Sheridan Pidcock sheridanpidcock@gmail.com to RSVP. This group always involves a great discussion and insight into reflections of the book, whether it’s your first time or you are a seasoned reader – come and see what the book club has to offer!

6:00pm – 9:00pm: Ladies Night Happy Hour – Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather as Ann and Margaret have organized this month’s Happy Hour at Primafila in the Recoleta Design Center terraces. If the weather is bad we’ll be inside, but with a nice evening, this location has a great outdoor seating area! Leave the fellas at home and join in this fun, social event. RSVP to Ann Sager: annsager@me.com or Margaret Sauvé: msauve3@yahoo.com.

And last but certainly not least, if you haven’t RSVPed for this month’s Spring at the Sivori event, do so now! Email bain.downtown@gmail.com or leave a comment on the event post. BAIN Downtown members are free and guests are $60 (unless you RSVP and join at the event, you can start your membership benefits immediately!). Join us for sweet treats and a champagne toast to welcome the arrival of spring!

Restaurant Review: Dada Bistrot

Posted on September 16, 2012 by dawngill

Dada (San Martin 941: 4314-4787, Retiro) is old school in more ways than one. This little “bistro” has only a dozen tables, a handful of bar stools, no host and instead of reservations they give you a window of time – which they may or may not adhere to. Despite, or rather because of this, the super-casual atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for when we visited for dinner a few weeks ago. Once again, Time Out was instrumental in guiding us to this restaurant, because even though Dada has been recommended to us by multiple people, we never seem to remember it when we’re thinking of a new place to go. We certainly weren’t the only ones that relied on the magazine for a Dada recommendation, here the bartender is actually posing with a copy of Time Out for another patron’s photo.

This is one of the first real bars we’ve been to since moving here. The bartenders are quick, ready to refill your drink and actually interact with the people sitting at their bar. Our “reservation” was at 11:00pm, and though we waited for awhile after that time came and went, we were well tended to and were even asked if we wanted to order at the bar instead of waiting for a table. This is second nature to most places in the US, but rarely, if ever happens at restaurants in BsAs. I ordered a caipiroska (which was delicious) and Jon had a beer, which was served to him in a wine glass – we are still missing out on draft beer. The only draft they offered was Quilmes, which is like asking for an agua con gas.

Since we had some time to get hungry while we waited, it was nice that menu features and specials were written out on chalkboards around the restaurant. The bar features Ruca Malen wines, which is a great quality choice, though somehow not what I was expecting for this more rustic-style place. Dada continued to surprise me with the best hummus and pita chips appetizer I’ve had in Argentina (I should note that I’ve only had this dish a handful of times, not a popular offering in local restaurants) – such a strange collection of items, but somehow it works.

I ordered a steak salad as my main dish, while my husband had the lomo. Both dishes were delicious, and we had devoured them before I had a chance to take any photos. The food was far more elegant than you would originally expect when looking at the bar, but it’s one of the many surprises we had at Dada.

I will say that as the night went on, service got more and more scarce. We asked for our check two or three times before finally receiving it at 1:30am (!!). Considering the food, wine, drinks and bar service were all great, something had to give.

All in all, a great spot that we will return to for future casual nights out.

***This restaurant review was written by BAIN Downtown member and blogger, Dawn Gill. For this and other reviews on expat life, visit her blog: http://www.dawnandjon.blogspot.com.ar/. To contribute a review or highlight your blog, contact bain.downtown@gmail.com.

Voting Day Party at the US Embassy

Posted on September 15, 2012 by dawngill

On Thursday, October 4, US citizens living in Argentina are invited to the US Embassy to cast their absentee ballot with Ambassador Vilma Martinez.

Come from 9am – 12:00pm with your US Passport in hand to either case your absentee ballot or request an absentee ballot (if you haven’t done so already by mail – to request an absentee ballot, email VoteBuenosAires@state.gov).

Read more on the US Embassy website, and mark your calendars to come and rock the vote!

Embassy Event | Embassy of the United States.

September Monthly Dinner

Posted on September 12, 2012 by dawngill

This month’s BAIN dinner is being organized by Jim Isaacs, who also ran our May dinner. It will be held at “Parilla Donca.”

Donca is a parilla with a full restaurant menu. It has been well received, and has an on-site attentive owner who speaks decent English and has managed hotels and restaurants in Spain, Italy and Argentina.

Here are the details:

Time: Wednesday September 19, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.

Place: “Donca,” Charcas 4799 (on the corner of Godoy Cruz, in Palermo).

Cost: 125 pesos per person, inclusive of everything (a three course meal, a glass of wine, one gaseosa or water, service/table charge and tip).

RSVP to Jim Isaacs at jisaacs61@hotmail.com

And the menu:

First course:

Spring salad (greens, beets, carrots, tomato, egg, ham and cheese)
or
Rustic sausage with fries
or
Homemade empanada with tomato garnish

Second course:

Ham and Mozzarella sorrentinos (pasta) with tomato/cream sauce
or
Mustard chicken with potato “virutas” (twirls)
or
Tira de asado (BBQ short ribs) with baked potato or green salad

Dessert:

Fruit salad
or
Flan with dulce de leche sauce

BA Underground Market

Posted on September 11, 2012 by dawngill

The Argentina Independent is proud to present the next BA Underground Market on Saturday, 15th September at IMPA la Fábrica.

Come and explore the flavours! From hot sauce to cake pops, goat’s cheese to spring rolls, juice and smoothies to hand crafted beer, try new things or retaste old favourites while enjoying live music.

Tickets are $5 pesos in advance / $10 at the door. Kids up to 12 years old are free.

Please book your tickets in advance by emailing events@argentinaindependent.com

This event is a cash event only.

Saturday, 15th September
12 – 5pm
IMPA la Fábrica, 3rd Floor
Querandíes 4290, Almagro

Ladies Night Happy Hour at Primafila

Posted on September 10, 2012 by dawngill

Join us as we visit a new venue for this month’s Ladies Night Happy Hour, Primafila in Recoleta.

Primafila is very well located on the terraces of the Recoleta Design Center. This restaurant/bar offers the possibility of using their terrace – weather permitting, and many of the waiters/waitresses speak English.

The event be held on Thursday the 20th of September from 1800 to 2100 at Primafila. (4804-0055,www.primafila.com.ar)

Please RSVP to Ann Sager: annsager@me.com or Margaret Sauvé: msauve3@yahoo.com

Spring at the Sivori!

Posted on September 9, 2012 by dawngill

BAIN DOWNTOWN MONTHLY MEETING

ANNUAL SPRING AT THE SIVORI EVENT

with champagne and dessert!

September 28th at 3 p.m.

For the past five years, we have held our “Welcome to Spring” meeting at the Museo de Artes Plásticas Eduardo Sívori. Join us as we return to the Sivori Museum’s beautiful garden courtyard to toast the arrival of spring!

The Spring at the Sivori event is one of our favorite meeting venues due to the lovely location and relaxed atmosphere. This is a catered event, with champagne and sweet treats to celebrate the arrival of Spring. Note that the event takes place earlier in the day than our normal monthly meetings, and this event is a perfect place to bring a friend and enjoy the outdoors! If you have been debating joining BAIN Downtown, this is a great time to start your membership! Children are welcome!

PLACE: Museo de Artes Plásticas Eduardo Sívori, Av. Infanta Isabel 555 in the Parque 3 de Febrero

(for a map click here: http://goo.gl/maps/2sU6y. For directions and information on the current art exhibits, please visit the museum’s website at www.museosivori.org.ar)

*There is a nominal admission to enter the museum (one peso for Argentines, three pesos for everyone else)

TIME: 3 to 5 p.m.

RSVP: Different than our normal monthly meetings, we need you to RSVP to this event. This is a catered event that requires a deposit, so we need to know in advance if you are coming (children under 10 are free).

Please RSVP to bain.downtown@gmail.com, by Wednesday, September 26th.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The meeting itself is FREE TO BAIN DOWNTOWN MEMBERS WHO RSVP. The cost for non-members is 60 pesos. We encourage you to bring your friends! If an RSVPed guest signs up for a BAIN Downtown membership at the event we’ll waive the guest fee!

We look forward to seeing you at this very special event.

September Book Club

Posted on September 4, 2012 by dawngill

To all our reading friends,

This month’s book choice is:

Rumors of Rain: A Novel of Corruption and Redemption

Author: Andre Brink

Date: Thursday, September 20, 11:00 – 1:00pm

Location: Recoleta

Please RSVP to sheridanpidcock@gmail.com to receive the exact address

Here is what Amazon’s Book Description has to say:

Martin Mynhardt seems invincible. Violence surrounds him, yet he remains unscathed: a woman asks him the time, then leaps in front of a train; after a mine riot, he watches hoses sweep scattered body parts off the floor.
Just before the shocking violence that brings South African apartheid to an end, Martin decides to return to the family farm for a weekend. A highly successful businessman and Afrikaans Nationalist, he hopes to sell the property to the government in a deal both highly profitable and corrupt. The moment he steps onto the farm, his plans are derailed. The repercussions of a society’s endemic violence catch up to him, and shake the relationships that frame his life.

I hope this book will also bring some insight into the political and social landscape of South Africa!

Regards,

The Book Club Organizers

*This event is restricted to current BAIN members only, if you are interested in joining BAIN Downtown, fill out our Membership Sign-Up Form to start the process!