By Kevin Vaughn.
If you need evidence that the food game in Buenos Aires is in the midst of a beautiful revolution look no further than the closed door scene. New spaces are opening up left and right and with every new project come fresh ideas. But although the trend is hot, the scene is still a bit of a mystery. To help you out bit, here are five menus for this week that make us drool more than we care to talk about.
Cocina Sunae
Source: Cocina Sunae
The Onda
When you’re craving some real Asian flavors look no further. Sunae grew up in the Phillipines before moving to New York where she worked in various restaurants before settling in Buenos Aires. It feels much more like a restaurant with private tables and a wait staff, great for an adventurous date or a meal between friends.
The Menu
This week’s menu is a 4 course meal with dishes from the Phillipines, Vietnam and Thailand. The meal begins with steamed pork buns with hoisin sauce and a fresh spring roll. The main dish is your choice of tamarind shrimp, beef tenderloin soup or the catch of the day with penang curry. For dessert fresh fruit and ginger tea ice cream.
The Essentials
Dinners are held Wednesday through Saturday starting at 8pm in Colegiales. 225ARS, cash only, drinks sold separately. Make a reservation via email, reservas@cocinasunae.com, or call 154 870 5506.
Beer House Experience
The Onda
More of a reservation only bar than a closed door restaurant, we are super excited about Beer House. The bar is run by beer sommeliers who have not only stocked the place with an incredible variety of imported and national craft beer but they has tailored a menu where beer is an important ingredient in every dish. The space is a renovated old house with private tables, which gives off the feeling that you are in the home of a friend that is particularly beer obsessed. It’s the perfect spot to meet up with friends on a Friday night.
The Menu
Unlike most closed doors, this is not a fixed menu. You can order off the menu from a small variety of appetizers, main dishes and desserts. Expect simple foods that go well with a pint, like hamburgers, pork chops, pizzas and steaks.
The Essentials
The bar is open Thursday – Saturday in San Telmo. You can choose to have three courses and unlimited beer for 190ARS, or just get the unlimited beer option for 120ARS. Make a reservation via email thebeerhouseexperience@gmail.com or by calling 154 169 6691.
MASA
Source: MASA
The Onda
MASA is a weekly dinner that began with the philosophy of providing an option that was both accessible and inventive by seeking new approaches to traditional homey foods. The dinner feels more like a low-key party amongst friends, with just 12 guests sharing home cooked meals over a communal table, cold beer and good music. Hosts Kevin and Evy might tell you to get your own damn beer from the fridge, don’t worry, it means they like you.
The Menu
Although the dinner club is associated with Mexican dishes, this year MASA will be incorporating American meals into the mix. This week’s menu consists of brisket sandwiches with Texas-style bbq sauce on pretzel rolls served with mashed potatoes and ginger roasted carrots. The meal also comes with a corn bread appetizer and a half liter of Antares beer.
The Essentials
The dinner is Thursday May 1st at 9PM in the Almagro neighborhood. 120ARS, cash only, additional beer sold separately. Make a reservation via email, kevin@masamakestacos.com, or call Kevin at 153 435 9093.
Adentro Dinner Club
Source: Adentro Supper Club
The Onda
Want to partake in a traditional Argentine family asado but missing an Argentine family? Gabriel and Kelly have the hook up. The Argentine-American couple has renovated an old doctor’s office in the middle of Palermo to a home that doubles as a weekly supper club for those in search of an authentic asado experience. The event feels very inviting and truly feels like a dinner amongst family with a shared table and lots of food being passed around.
The Menu
First of all, come hungry because this meal is going to make you adjust your belt. The evening is filled with appetizers, salads and of course, meat. Expect provoleta, fried empanadas and fresh salads. As for the meat, as you’d find in a traditional asado, Adentro serves up everything from the achurras (blood sausage, chorizo and instestine) to more sought after cuts (short ribs and rump steak).
The Essentials
Dinners are served Wednesday through Friday (Friday is seafood night) in Palermo. The meal costs $450. Make a reservation here.
Trientasillas
The Onda
Up and running since 2007, the food at Trientasillas is well-known within the food community for young chef Ezequiel Gallardo’s quick ascension to become one of the cities’ leading closed doors. The food is simple and inventive in a warm, unpretentious space set up with private tables for small groups of friends.
The Menu
Menus change every week depending on availability and freshness of ingredients. This week the four course fixed menu consists of an Arugula and almond salad, Roasted shrimp with green beans and saffron aioli, mushroom, bacon and brie risotto and an apple crumble.
The essentials: Dinners are held Thursday through Saturday in Colegiales. The meal costs 250ARS, drinks not included. You can make a reservation via email reservas@trientasillas.com or calling 154 492 7046.