Review: BBQ Town

I sure am not the first person to jump on the Korean BBQ in Buenos Aires bandwagon, but I also won’t be the last. As my friend Diego joked at dinner Friday night, “What’s with this trend of cheto expats hiking out to Bajo Flores for some kimchi?” He’s right, it seems like all anyone can talk about these days is heading to Koreatown. But there’s plenty of merit to this buzz, and you won’t even have to beg a cab driver to take you too out of your way. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk BBQ Town in Barrio Chino.

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Food Porn Friday

January is basically over, and thanks to the Chinese New Year I’ve eaten more pork in the past week than I have in the past 6 months. I’ve got Asia on the brain. Dreamed of some delicious, steaming Pho last night … with extra Sriracha and lots of fresh basil. Close to my parents’ house back home, there’s a whole block dedicated to all things Vietnamese known as Little Saigon. Basically it’s Pho as far as the eye can see. It’s magical. I want to eat this for breakfast. Happy Friday!

Takeover Tuesday: NOLA Chef at the Office

I was lucky enough to make it to a Takeover Tuesday several months ago and managed to stuff my face with NOLA Chef yumyums. Liza is this tiny little person who makes food with big flavors. Think po’ boys and muffalettas, jambalaya and bourbon pecan pie. How could you turn that down?

If you haven’t been to The Office in Cañitas for one of her events, tonight would be the perfect excuse to go. Also, I work until super late now and therefore cannot partake in this culinary goodness. If you can’t tell, I am bitter and envious, so go forth and stuff thy face. Get there early so you can grab a seat and get some chow guaranteed. The place fills up – sometimes it can feel a little bit like a zoo – so be patient and prep your taste buds for some NOLA goodness!

Check out the NOLA Chef website for recipes, cooking tips and more. Liza will even cater your events, big and small. She made the food for a July 4th party we went to last year and it was perfection!

For more info on the Pop-up restaurants around Buenos Aires, check out this article by Allie Lazar for the Argentina Independent.

The Office is located in Cañitas at Arévalo 3031. Things will get started from 7pm. Don’t miss it!

Photo Credit: My Amused Bouche and Lili Kocsis

For good measure:

An Argentine in Moscow

Italian/Argentine Chef Donato de Santis was in Moscow last week to receive the prestigious Grana Padano Italian Cuisine Worldwide Award. It’s usually a big party held in New York or Milan, but to shake things up, this year the festivities took place all the way in Moscow. I have this lifelong / bizarre obsession with Russia so I thought I would share this interview and video of de Santis cooking up a storm at El Asado Tango & Grill in Moscow (yes, apparently this restaurant really exists).

Check out the full interview in which he discusses the future of Argentine cuisine, what he likes to cook when he’s at home, and more.

 

Chinese New Year in Buenos Aires

It’s time to get festive, folks! Chinese New Year is upon us! If you want to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Buenos Aires, you won’t have too hard a time finding something to do. Barrio Chino will have a weekend-long rager full of food stands, random shows, and of course bazillions of people (60,000 to be exact) shoving their way down Arribeños. Woo-hoo! On both Saturday and Sunday* you’ll find more than plenty to do starting at the entrance to Chinatown, right at Arribeños & Juramento, across from the train tracks in Belgrano.

Oasis Collections asked POKE-tastic Chef/Owner Mychael about his favorite Barrio Chino spots for culinary delights. Click the link for the full article, but he mentions the requisite Asia Oriental market for crazy fresh seafood (and a great food counter) as well as the mother of all markets, Casa China, that offers something for everyone (even the wimps).

If crowds aren’t your thing (I went for the first time last year and almost had a panic attack. I’d advise to go early or just grin and bare it), you can always have a Chinese-themed dinner party in the comfort of your own home (and air conditioning). The best part? You can head to the markets in Barrio Chino today to beat the rush and get all the ingredients you need! Here are some recipe ideas from around the web:

Orange Peel Shrimp
Cantonese Beef, a tofu dish, and a chicken & bok choy stir fry
BBC’s Chinese Recipe page
The Lost Asian

Happy New Year!

*Saturday, from 3pm & Sunday from 10am

Photo Credit: Home Hotel