Buenos Aires

by

Beautiful Church

Last week Venetia and I went to a district that specializes in furniture shops, as I want to buy some new dining room chairs. It was an extremely hot day, and when we saw this church we knew it would be cool inside, so in we went! Like quite a number of churches in Buenos Aires, it doesn’t stand back on its own, but instead is just another number on the street — although the front and doorway itself is beautiful.

Many churches here, although beautiful, are sadly neglected through lack of funds, but that’s not the case with Santa Rosa de Lima. The marble was an unusual grey colour and very highly polished. Some of the statues I liked better than others, but none of them suffered from chipped paint and the colours were quite vibrant. Ironically, although I was impressed by it, for me this church didn’t have the sense of the sacred that I’ve felt in other less beautiful ones.

Here are some of  Venetia’s photographs, which certainly do justice to this lovely church. (And I finally took the time to learn how to place photographs in a gallery, which looks much better.)

by

Couldn’t Resist!

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since Cecilia’s fiesta! Pure laziness, but I couldn’t resist posting this one.

Yesterday I went out for brunch with Sally and Venetia, and we ended up on the terrace at La Biela. On the weekends there’s usually a couple dancing tango, and they were there yesterday. When the woman came round with the hat, on impulse I asked if I could dance with the guy, and she said yes!

I wasn’t dressed for it at all. My long skirt made it hard to move my legs and I had on my ugly walking sandals, but given all that and the fact that I haven’t danced for months, I think I did all right. I told the guy I was out of practice, but he didn’t make any allowances!

When I came back to my table, the waiter said I danced tango like an Argentine!

Here’s the video Venetia shot — thanks Venetia! I hope you enjoy it.

by

Forgotten Anniversary

Yesterday was an anniversary I hadn’t even thought of. It was Felix’s birthday (no, I didn’t forget that one) and I suddenly remembered that the first time I came to Argentina on holiday was on his birthday in 2014. So, yesterday was the 7th anniversary of that pivotal moment in my life.

By the time I remembered, it was too late to get anyone to meet me for dinner, so I went myself. I went to a rather special (and expensive!) Italian restaurant quite near me, called La Parolaccia, and the meal was fabulous. Here are some photos of it.

La Parolaccia

Fusilli Don Corleone — well named, as I certainly couldn’t refuse it!

For me, the magic word is Tiramisu and I can never resist when I see it on a menu. I’m not kidding when I say this might have been the best I’ve EVER tasted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I was alone, I must have looked as if I was celebrating something, as they presented me with a complimentary glass of champagne as soon as I arrived.

I’m glad I remembered this anniversary, a big day in my life. I came for a two-week vacation and never for a moment thought it would change my life and that I’d be making beautiful Buenos Aires my home!

 

by

American Food!

We had a different kind of culinary experience today. Our friend Lola, who is American, found an American-style diner called Jay’s and recommended we try it. When she described all the cholesterol-laden goodies on tap, four of us jumped on board right away! Sadly, Lola has hurt her back, and wasn’t able to join us — we’ll have to go again another day!

Anyway, it didn’t disappoint. The other three had bacon and eggs. Now you might not think that’s anything very exciting, but the truth is it’s very difficult to find good bacon here, so this was a treat. They all raved about it — especially the fried bread!

I, on the other hand, didn’t have bacon. Ever since I knew we were going there, my taste buds have been hankering for pancakes, so that’s what I had. In this picture you can clearly see that the stack did justice to American sized portions!

It’s amazing how excited you get about food you remember from home — even though you might not have bothered eating it much when you were there!

by

Vivi Sings Again!

As cafes and other eating places gradually open up to live entertainment again, our friend Viviana Falabella is once again performing. Last night she played in a cool little place in San Telmo called Pista Urbana.

Of course the place has to abide by the protocol, and there were probably half the number of tables they would usually have. We were quite a large group, spread out among several tables, but we came together for this photo. Vivi is the one standing up in the middle. By the way, we are allowed to unmask to eat and drink!

I think you’ll agree that Gillian takes first prize for her creative mask!

Although she does sing other types of music, last night Vivi sang only Latin songs. That being the case, I put in a request in advance for Besame Mucho. When my late husband, Felix, was a professional singer and musician, this was one of my favourites of his songs, and he always sang it to me from the stage. So Vivi’s rendition brought back happy memories as well as present enjoyment. I hope you enjoy it too.

by

Happy New Year from Buenos Aires!

Welcome 2021 — we’re glad you’re finally here!

A group of us did our usual picnic down at the riverside area known as Puerto Madero. There weren’t as many people there as usual, but enough to make it feel like the fiesta we all desperately needed.

At the beginning we were just four people – Cecilia, Liana, Venetia and me. A friendly Italian stopped to chat, wish us Happy New Year and give us extravagant compliments. So while he was there, Cecilia asked him to take our photograph. He took quite a lot and most of them were out of focus! But this one survived the cut.

Later on, after midnight, Vivi turned up with some family members who were visiting her, which completed our party.

And finally, here is Venetia’s video of the fireworks that traditionally welcome in the New Year.

In Argentina instead of the full expression Feliz Año Nuevo, most people say Feliz Año. I don’t know if this is on purpose, but I always like that because it seems to offer good wishes for the whole year and not just when it’s new. So in that spirit, I wish you Feliz Año, and my best wishes for a wonderful 2021!

by

Last Buenos Aires Outing before Christmas

Yes, this is yet another eating and drinking event! Yesterday a group of eight of us went to a lovely bistro called Casa Cavia for lunch. I think it was originally a house (I think someone said that), but now it’s this lovely eating place, with a centrepiece of a tree in the middle of an infinity pool. Here are some shots of the “Ladies Who Lunch” — Venetia took most of them, but I took one so that she could be in it!

Apparently there is some lovely indoor eating in what they call the Library, so we’ll have to put it on our list to go again in winter!

I say this is the last Buenos Aires event for me, because Venetia and I leave tomorrow morning for six days at the seaside! Cecilia’s son Joaquin has rented a house near the beach at Costa Esmeralda, and has invited us with Cecilia to spend Christmas with them. To say I’m excited would be to understate it! I promise to do some blog posts while I’m away.

Meanwhile, I have a video update on the birds on my bedroom window sill — I’ll post that next.

by

Las Pizzaras

Last night I went out with Lina, Venetia and Lola to great little restaurant in Palermo called Las Pizzaras. We knew about it because the waitress is a tango friend of Lola’s. Coincidentally, she is French Canadian from Montreal! She took this photo of the group, which allowed Venetia to be in the photo rather than taking it.

Anyway, we all trotted off there last night and had a lovely meal and lots of good conversation and laughter as usual.

 

This is a photo of my steak, which was delicious. The fresh kale salad and some kind of tomato thing were also great, but I didn’t like the sweet potato stuff.

Instead of dessert I opted for a Negroni. You can’t see it very well, but it came in a lovely copper mug and was delicious. However, I think my cocktail days are over, at least during the same meal as wine, because I have been falling asleep all day!

One more group meal before I leave for my Christmas vacation, and that will be brunch on Sunday. It feels so good to be doing normal things again!

 

by

More food!

Seems it’s all about food these days with me! Yesterday I went to lunch with Venetia at a great Spanish restaurant called El Burladero. Lina was supposed to join us, but she got stuck in a taxi in the middle of a manifestacion (protest) at the Congreso and never made it. Oh well, we’ll just have to go again, right?

Here are some shots of the lovely food we enjoyed.

My meal started with mushroom croquettes — four of them, and I actually managed to eat three! My main course was pork in a lovely Spanish sauce with tomatoes and onions, and what they call here papas españoles (Spanish potatoes). They brought these spices separately so that we could add them to taste, which we did and it made the food even better! My dessert was what I’d call a Spanish version of pots de creme, topped with fresh blackberry sauce. Mmmmm.

 

 

 

 

Venetia had a salad with big plump prawns, followed by a white fish which seems to be a cross between cod and sole, with a lovely Spanish style vegetable sauce. I seem to have lost the photo of her dessert, which was apple pie and she said it was lovely.

And here are two happy chicas, full of yummy Spanish food and Argentine wine!

Where shall we eat next??

by

Wow, this was yummy!

Last night I couldn’t interest anybody in coming to dinner with me, so I went on my own to a place just five minutes from me, called Quotidiano. It’s known as a pasta place, but a friend told me they have marvellous burrata, so I decided to check it out. Mmmmmmmm!

I first tried burrata in Chicago. I was there for a speaking engagement and had one night to dine out. I ate in an Italian place and couldn’t decide what to eat. It was a warm summer night  and I was eating outside (just like last night), and the waitress recommended burrata with salad. I was hooked!

If you’ve never tried burrata, it is a large ball of mozarella mixed with cream and there’s nothing else quite the same. Try it — you’ll like it!