After a few days in Buenos Aries, here are some great recommendations of where to stay, where to eat and what to do, and what to buy.

The Alvear Palace Hotel

Before and after our adventure to Antarctica, we had a couple of nights at the Alvear Palace Hotel, in Buenos Aries. It’s in the stylish neighbourhood of La Recoleta. The extensive green spaces, wide avenues, restaurants and boutiques made it a delightful place to call home, while we were there.

Originally, the hotel was built to accommodate the increasing numbers of European visitors coming to Buenos Aires. Then, in 1932, The Alvear Palace Hotel was renovated to a level of refinement, not often seen these days. The majestic rooms and suites, as well as the lobby and public areas, are reminiscent of the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. The furniture, crystal chandeliers, wall decorations and gold leaf are all part of the lavish detail that makes this hotel an absolute delight to stay in.

Not surprisingly, the Alvear Palace Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, an organization that recognizes only the best.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Fogon Asado

Our best meal in Buenos Aries was at the Fogon Asado. Here the professional staff showcased the elegance of a real Argentine BBQ. The best Argentinian ingredients were presented during a unique, fireside dining experience. It was a celebration of their heritage and the tradition of the Asado, with their magnificent Argentine grass fed beef.

We had a booking for 7:40 pm, so duly turned up on time. Little did we know there was just one seating, so we all began the gastronomic journey together. Sitting around the fire, the four sides of the table seated 20 guests. On high stools we got a good view of the kitchen, fire and preparation areas. We were bought nine delicious courses, with my favourites including the ember roasted eggplant, their outstanding grass fed ribeye and a mouth watering pancake for desert. Paired with wines from some of Argentinas’ oldest wineries the meal was sensational. As the food came the wine flowed. Placing an empty glass on the table return, indicated a refill was needed quickly!

This was one of our best dining experiences ever. Fogon is proud to be included in the Michelin Guide 2024.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Criolla Cooking and Wine

I’m a foodie and happiest when I’m in the kitchen creating. So I took the opportunity to attend the Criolla Cooking and Wine school, whilst in Buenos Aries.

Ringing the doorbell, I was warmly welcomed into the smaller of two cooking rooms. I was joined by a lovely, young woman from California, who claimed to have very few culinary skills. So there was just the two of us, our host Rocio, and Jhonnatan, our chef.

Criolla is made up of a wonderful group of foodies, chefs and entrepreneurs. Their aim is to create great memories and unforgettable food experiences for travellers in Argentina. Opened in just 2023, I found out it is owned by the same crew as Fogon Asado. In fact, our chef, had worked there for a number of years so it was no surprise the experience was excellent.

While we prepared the meal alongside Jhonnatan, we drank red Vermouth with ice and soda. It’s a very refreshing, low alcohol aperitif.

I learnt to cook two varieties of empanadas, mushroom and beef. Having eaten many during our time in Argentina, I had not realized the way the pastry is pinched on the top determines the ingredients inside. We also made a delicious beef dish and a desert they called a flan, but it was more like our creme brûlée. In addition to creating great food, Jhonnatan was constantly giving us tips: how to cut an onion without crying, how to chop herbs and retain the flavour and much more.

We ate the delicious meal, paired with Argentinian wines and I waddled out the door, recipes in hand. I met Tim down the road at a knife shop.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Knife Shop – Casafilo

Tim got it into his head he wanted to purchase some steak knives while in Buenos Aries. To date we had not found what we were looking for, but loved the steak knives at Fogon Asado, so asked for the contact.

Casafilo is a small shop, owned by the delightful, Gustavo. While he sold knives, his core business was knife maintenance and sharpening. He had the perfect plain steak knives we had been looking for (as many of the handles can be embellished with bone the metal), as well as a beautiful carving set. We bought a box of 12 knives and a carving set, for our Queenstown home. He was as delighted with the sale, as we were with the purchase, and will think of him often and reflect on our wonderful days in Buenos Aries, every times we use them.