Author Archives: dawngill

Restaurant Review – La Pecora Nera

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Ayacucho 1785 | Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina

It’s not hard to find an Italian restaurant in Buenos Aires…it seems like half the population here are from Italian decent.  In fact Buenos Aires began to accept immigrants in large numbers as early as the 1860′s and an estimated 2,250,000 Italians came to Argentina between 1861 and 1914…so you can see how the city is in love with its pizza and pasta heritage.

However, its all about finding a good Italian restaurant and boy do I have a great one for you to check out.  It’s called ‘La Pecora Nera’ (or ‘The Black Sheep’ in Italian)…a quaint little romantic establishment nestled in one of Buenos Aires ritziest areas, Recoleta.  The atmosphere is very ‘closed’ door reservation only style (I know this because you can’t just walk in, you must be greeted by one of the staff at the locked door), which to some could be perceived as quite pretentious but in actual fact it creates a very intimate setting.

The food is amazing with my wife and I ordering antipasti, platos principals, dolce and cafe (entree, main, deserts and coffee just incase ;) ).  With a nice bottle of Argentinian syrah coating our palates we were ready for our gastronomic adventure to begin.  We started with beef capaccio and a fish pie strudel.  Both were very well seasoned and both came with a small side salad.  Fresh crisp pastry on the strudel and tender thin slices of capacho…yum!  Next course we both had a vegetarian pasta dish.  I had the mushroom ravioli and my wife had a french onion inspired special pasta dish which also turned out to be ravioli.  Whilst I don’t normally order much pasta in restaurants, I have to say this was exceptionally cooked and well filled…more points on the main.

You know when you feel satisfied after 2 courses but not stuffed, like you’ve been force fed too many fries at a cheap restaurant?  Well here we were just right, so dessert was a given.  Boy were we glad we had that left over room because dessert was to die for!  I had a Yin Yang chocolate mousse which was super rich and melted in my mouth!  My wife however had the standout dish of the evening…Apple strudel with homemade cinnamon ice cream…IT WAS AWESOME!!!  Super crisp pastry, freshly cooked apples and the ice cream had to be the most amazing ice cream i’ve ever had…and I’ve been to Italy many times so I know a good gelato when I taste one.  Coffee was coffee, Illy an Italian coffee brand (thank god it wasn’t Argentinian – see my coffee blog, lol) and I topped the meal off with a nice desert wine.

So this place must have cost an arm and a leg right?  Well surprisingly not.  All this for 2 people cost just $488 ARS which is around £68/$100 AUD.  Anywhere you go for that quality of food is a great buy.

Overall this place is tops!  Great atmosphere, top notch super friendly service and outstanding food…what more could you want?  We will definitely be returning soon.

**This restaurant review was written by BAIN Downtown member and blogger, Joel Devenish.  For this and other reviews on everything Buenos Aires, visit his blog: http://joeldevenish.wordpress.com/.  To contribute a review or highlight your blog, contact bain.downtown@gmail.com.  

July Monthly Meeting/Social

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BAIN DOWNTOWN FRIDAY, JULY 27!

 BAIN Downtown members are invited to join in this month’s Strictly Social Meeting.  We will enjoy food, drinks and great company at Porte Zuelo, a Lounge Bar and Music Club on calle Vicente Lopez.  The meeting’s start time is later, beginning at 5:30pm, and there is a 2 for 1 Happy Hour menu available until 9pm!

Place:  Porte Zuelo, Vicente Lopez 2160: http://www.portezueloweb.com/

Date:  Friday, July 27, 2012

Time:  5:30 p.m. – A change from the usual, hopefully some of our working members can join us after the workday!

Program:  Conversation!  Meet someone new!  Bring a friend and introduce them to BAIN!  We will provide light appetizers and finger foods while our members and their guests enjoy the Happy Hour specials of 2 for 1 beverages for purchase until 9pm!

Fees:  BAIN Downtown Members – no charge, BAIN Suburbs Members – $AR10, Guests – $AR20 *If you sign up for BAIN Downtown at the meeting, your guest fee is waved!

For more information, or to join BAIN Downtown, contact bain.downtown@gmail.com

Toddler Group Activity!

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Last time the museum was closed, so we’re trying this one again!

Looking for something to do indoors with the kiddos?

This coming Wednesday, July 18 at 4:00pm some of our members will be heading to the Museo Participativo de Ciencias (Interactive Science Museum) – come join us!

This museum is located right next door to the Recoleta Cemetery, behind the Recoleta Cultural Center. It is intended for children 4+ years old, but if they can walk there are plenty of things to keep them busy!

Adults and Children 4+ cost AR$25 to enter, the little ones are free.

http://www.mpc.org.ar/

Contact bain.downtown@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.

July Book Club Meeting

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Join us for the next book club meeting on Wednesday 25 July 1:00pm!

We are reading The Story of the Night by Colm Toibin, our second book that takes place in Buenos Aires.

Norman Thomas di Giovanni from The Times writes, “Richard Garay lives alone with his mother, hiding his sexuality from her and from those around him. Stifled by a job he despises, he finds himself willing to take considerable risks. Set in Argentina in a time of great change, The Story of the Night is a powerful and moving novel about a man who, as the Falklands War is fought and lost, finds his own way to emerge into the world. The Story of the Night is, in the end, a love story of the most serious and difficult kind. Toibin has told it with profound artistry and truth’ Tobias Wolff Nobody before Toibin has made such honesty stand so clearly for political and personal integrity …In each of his first three novels he has invented a strong central character but Garay is by far his most memorable’ Edmund White, Sunday Times A remarkable achievement …The ease, the fluidity, the economy, the precision of Toibin’s masterly prose make this novel sheer pleasure to read.”

Address: Recoleta (specific details to be sent to you on RSVP)

Please RSVP directly to dawn.e.gill@gmail.com

Looking forward to an interesting discussion!

El Dia del Padre

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Even though the weather is not exactly ideal for grilling, Father’s Day, June 17, 2012, is quickly approaching us here in Buenos Aires.  Need ideas of what to do for the special Padre in your life?  Here are a few ideas we’ve found around the city:

  • The Man Tour from the LandingPadBA.  Described as “A one of a kind, unique 1/2 day city tour of Buenos Aires. One of our bilingual concierges show you around some of the off the beaten track neighborhoods to give you a real feel of Buenos Aires outside of the usual tourist areas. Tour-goers get hands-on experiences at:

1. Traditional local barber shop with a hot lather/towel straight razor shave
2. Get properly fitted for a custom made hat (purchase optional). All techniques and equipment date to 1920 and before
3. Cigar Lounge for a nice Cuban cigar, complimenting quality spirit and coffee

We are proud to bring you the first of its kind in the world, The Man Tour. Ranging from US$145 – US$190, depending on the size of the group.

  • Contact My Buenos Aires Travel Guide for help buying Futbol/Soccer tickets.  There is a Boca vs Arsenal match on Sunday, June 17, or other matches later on in the year.
  • Enjoy a luxurious brunch at the Alvear Palace Hotel.  Reservations begin at 12:30pm and guests can enjoy all of the picture-perfect food and drinks that their hearts desire – for a price.  Brunch prices range around US$100 per person – though for special events they offer complimentary baby sitting services in the hotel- so the price may be worth its weight in gold! Reservations required.  Hotel staff speak English.
  • Is the Dad in your life a golf fan?  BA Golf Outings will assist you with everything from tee times to transportation to club rentals.  Don’t have time for golf right now?  They offer private lessons with English speaking professions either at the driving range or during a day on the course.
  • Stay in and order a meal from Buenos Aires Delivery.  Allow someone else to deal with the ordering chaos that some restaurants provide.  Enter your address and their website will tell you which restaurants are currently open for delivery – enter your order online and the staff at Buenos Aires Delivery will take care of the rest.  They will call or email to confirm your order and give you a delivery time estimate.
  • If your pesos are burning a hole in your pocket – give the gift of Argentina!  Discover Buenos Aires has posted a business deal where you can purchase a luxury condominium-hotel in Valle du Uco, Mendoza.  The developer is the same person that brought Buenos Aires the Palermo Place and Palermo Tower condo-hotel properties.
  • If you are looking for something a little more affordable, give the gift of a social life within Buenos Aires!  A year long membership to BAIN Downtown is only $150 pesos – and new activities are being offered all the time.  Let the lucky Father in your life know that you care about their social well-being – you can fill out our Membership Sign-Up Form in a matter of minutes, and we would love to have you!

Whatever your Father’s Day entails, we hope you have a good one!  Do you have additional suggestions for making Father’s Day a success?  We would love to hear from you – leave a comment below!

Resources

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Do you own a business in Buenos Aires? Find out more about how to advertise to fellow BAIN members on the How To Add Your Business page.
BAIN members: Check out the BAIN business owners on the Resources page and help support your fellow expats in Buenos Aires! From cookies, cakes, and other culinary delights to leather goods and travel agents in Buenos Aires, these business owners have a lot to offer. Please keep an eye on your email and the newsletter for any current discounts being offered by these businesses.