Aramburu

We had a second fine dining experience on our last day in Buenos Aires, at Aramburu restaurant. This was named the 26th best restaurant in Latin America in 2016 and we were certainly impressed. Our taxi deposited us outside a very ominous looking building. All very dark on the outside, no glimmer of light. We wondered whether we had the right day and time. Our taxi driver waited until he saw the door open and us ushered into a small space, but brightly lit inside. about ten tables. We had a choice and chose one down in a small alcove in front of a wall of wine bottles.

As usual we chose to have our food paired with recommended wines. Our first course consisted of very thin crackers; four each, all from different ingredients and therefore different attributes: a paper thin one, a grainy one plus two others. Presented sticking up from grooves in a stone. I didn’t take a picture. But I remembered to do so for each of the following courses. These four taste sensations came next. The red tubes on the left were filled with a beetroot mousse, the folded pancakes on the right contained blue cheese, the round shapes were chicken flavoured and there was the famous Argentinian cured jamon. All delicious. Next came a spectacular chicken skin sandwhich filled with a squid ink confection. Melt in your mouth, taste sensation. House made bread and spread was as delicious at it looks. The next course looked amazing, almost too good to eat, but I felt was less successful taste wise. An egg white confection containing crab meat and red onion, with the latter a bit too dominant. As was this very pretty heirloom tomato salad (which description does not do this dish jsutice). The next course was completely different, very rustic looking served in its cooking pot. It took me a while to work out what it was, and then only after assistance from the waiter. A Thai inspired prawn wrapped in some sort of noodle casing. Served on top of a hot rock! Complicated. Our fish course was very pretty with salty salicornias and silky cauliflower puree a perfect match for the fish. Then the next dish was also Asioan inspired. Very plain looking, but quite delicious. A goat dumpling. This meal, along with our other fine dining experience at iLatina certainly showed us that there is much more to Argentinian food culture than their famous steaks. My favourite course was the slow cooked (24 hours) pork. Served with a raspberry sorbet! The meat just melted in your mouth and was full of flavour. However by this stage I was fading in terms of appetite. I had to hand the beef dish over to Joe to finish, notwithstanding how perfectly cooked it was. I managed some of the palate cleanser that preceded dessert, another cold sorbet with interesting berries. But Joe had to eat both of my desserts, including the coffee based concoction that I forgot to photograph (it was getting late) which he clearly enjoyed. And everyone enjoyed the chocolate one. Finally, a green tea for Eleanor and me, filtered coffee served in a glass for Joe and Patrick and sweet little macaroons to finish an exquisite meal. And here is the rest of the restaurant. Tiny, but beautifully appointed. And despite how it looks, not overly dark. I would strongly recommend a visit next time you are in Buenos Aires!