Old world charm meets excellent food at Gran Parrilla’s eatery
You’ve been walking all morning, taking in the sights and sounds of San Telmo, Argentina, the oldest neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The antiques market at Mercado de San Telmo, the tango dancers in Plaza Dorrego square made you hungry and longing for a merciful rest. Use the last of your strength to make your way to the corner of Chile and Perú streets and grab a table at Gran Parrilla del Plata.
Gran Parrilla del Plata occupies the ground floor of an Art Nouveau building, a characteristic architectural style of the area. Back in the 1930s, the building used to house a butcher’s shop called Grandes Carnicerías del Plata. Some of the original features, like the limestone floors, meat hooks, and the majolica tiles, remain and add to its old-world charm.
Now, to the food. When you sit down, a waiter brings a bread basket, a dip, and a small bowl with garlicky butter beans to whet your appetite. Argentineans like to eat provoleta as a starter. It consists of a thick slice of provolone cheese grilled until crispy outside and gooey inside. Even Michelle Obama couldn’t resist it!
The star of the show is the beef. After all, you’re in Argentina! Bife de chorizo–New York strip is probably the most requested kind of steak. It’s juicy, tender and packed with beefy flavor. Another popular and tasty cut is vacío, or flank steak, which can be so tender that people compare it to butter and exclaim “¡Es una manteca!”
Asado de tira is another huge favorite with locals and visitors alike. The beef ribs are cut into one or two-inch-wide strips and grilled to perfection. Some people are partial to the bondiola de cerdo, or pork shoulder. The meats are grilled on a charcoal grill, which lends a rich smoky flavor.
Add another layer of savor, by slathering the meat with any of these three sauces (or all three!) brought to the table with the main course: chimichurri, provenzal (chopped fresh garlic and parsley in oil), and salsa criolla (chopped fresh tomatoes, onion and red pepper mixed with oil and vinegar). Sides include fries and salads.
If you’d rather skip the beef, fear not. Gran Parrilla del Plata serves delicious homemade pasta, like spinach and parmesan ravioli. Whatever dish you order will be tasty and quintessentially Argentinean.
Chile 594, Buenos Aires, open every day 12 pm to 4 pm and 8 pm until the last customers leave. It stays open all day Sunday.
A little info:
Gran Parrilla del Plata is a well-known steakhouse located in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The restaurant specializes in traditional Argentine cuisine, with a particular emphasis on grilled meats. The restaurant’s name, which translates to “Great Grill of the Silver,” is a nod to the country’s history of silver mining.
The restaurant has a rustic and cozy atmosphere with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and leather chairs. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and it’s recommended to make a reservation in advance to secure a table.
Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes include the various cuts of beef, chorizo, and morcilla (Argentine-style sausages), all of which are cooked to perfection on the wood-fired grill. The restaurant also offers a variety of sides, including salads, grilled vegetables, and potatoes.
In addition to its food, Gran Parrilla del Plata is also known for its excellent selection of Argentine wines, which pair perfectly with the rich and savory flavors of the grilled meats.
Ana Astri-O’Reilly is a fully bilingual travel blogger and writer originally from Argentina. She now lives in Dallas, USA, with her husband. Besides writing on her travel blogs, Ana Travels and Apuntes Ideas Imagenes, Ana has published travel and food articles in a variety of outlets. You can follow her on Twitter.
Photo Credit: Ana Astri-O’Reilly[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]
