El Gato Negro |

These are the spices that create the wonderful aroma

We had a fun research lunch at El Gato Negro on Thursday. We were five: Lina, Joanna, Gayle, Venetia and me.

El Gato Negro is one of the old, classic Bares Notables, and it’s typical of old Buenos Aires. It looks small when you go in the front door, but if you keep walking past the bar you find it opens up into another seating space at the back. Apparently there is more upstairs, but I haven’t ventured there yet.

We pushed two very small tables together to accommodate us, and it was definitely cozy. But the place was packed, so that’s the best we could do.

Venetia’s fish fortunately tasted better than it looked!

Not quite sure what to call this beef dish in English but it was yummy.

Joanna and I had lomo salteado (kind of a stir

You can tell Lina was happy with her choice of salad.

fry/stew of filet) which was delicious. Lina was very noble and had a salad. Venetia’s fish left something to be desired in terms of presentation, but she said it was very good. Gayle asked for a croque madame, but they brought a croque monsieur and she sent it back to have the eggs removed! Everyone was happy with the food.

El Gato Negro is also famous for fresh spices, not only in the food but available for purchase, as well as a huge variety of teas. As a result, when you open the door you are enveloped in a delicious aroma. I’ve bought tea there before, and I’m always tempted by the spices, but as I’m not an ambitious cook I think the effort would be wasted. But Lina bought a special Moroccan spice which she was dying to try.

I have the email address of the manager, and I’m going to set up an interview sometime soon. Lovely little place, and everyone would be happy to go back.

Today I had lunch with Venetia at El Gato Negro, another of the cafes notables I am researching for my book, with the help of some cafe loving friends!

This is a lovely old place, with traditional flooring, lots of wood panelling, waiters with red vests — and a wonderful smell composed of coffee and the many spices they use in cooking and also sell. Venetia had cafe con leche flavoured with cardamom!

We had tacos for lunch, but they were like no tacos I’ve ever had. Quite small and not folded over. The mixture was piled on top of them, and consisted of chicken pieces in a curry flavoured yogurt sauce. Yummy!

Here’s my quick sketch of the wall behind the counter, with the signature black cat overlooking all the bottles and jars and cans of spices, coffees and teas.

When we left and were walking along Corrientes, we passed this great little sweet shop and I couldn’t resist the white and bitter chocolate flakes! Good thing I walk so much, or this research would be making me fat!