The Travel Chica

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Eating My Way Through BA Part 8: A Lesson in Steak and a Heart Attack Dessert

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After delving into unknown territory for a Vietnamese experience at Green Bamboo, I go back to the classic Argentine meal.

Steak and Red Wine

I have eaten a lot of steak in Buenos Aires from the cheap neighborhood restaurants to the upscale, touristy steakhouses.

So let’s look at something in the middle.

El Mirasol

El Mirasol is an upscale traditional steakhouse.  The original location in the Boedo barrio has been in business for over 40 years, and they have successfully expanded to other parts of the city.

The thing about steak in Argentina is that you shouldn’t have to put marinades or seasoning on it.  If the beef is quality, and you know how to cook it, that is all that matters.

Lomo

Lomo (tenderloin) is a good test because it is a leaner cut, so you don’t have as much fat flavoring the meat or covering up any issues with overcooking or quality.

El Mirasol passes the test. 

This may be the most perfectly-cooked steak I have had in Buenos Aires.

Mollejas

I know am I going backwards in the meal, but the way I see it, I am actually going in order of importance.

Mollejas, or sweetbreads, is something I was introduced to for the first time in Buenos Aires.  What I have learned is that the texture is very important.  You don’t want them to be too fatty, and you want a slight crispiness to the outside.

El Mirasol cooks them in thin slices, unlike most restaurants, which I think helps them achieve that perfect texture.

Wine

When you find an old-school, upscale restaurant in Argentine, you tend to find a good wine list with a lot of wines you’ve never even heard of.

I dined at El Mirasol twice, checking out two different locations, and both times I was introduced to excellent wines that I have to add to my favorites list:

Fabre Montmayour Malbec Reserva 2008 and Alfredo Roca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

The servers at El Mirasol really know wine.  Listen to their suggestions.

 

Dessert: Apple Pie versus The Heart Attack

It’s not really called The Heart Attack.

That’s just my little nickname for it.  I was feeling adventurous, so I thought I would try this traditional Italian dessert called Sabayon.

It is basically whipped egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine.  Yes, I knew this is what it was made of before they brought it out, but I figured why not try it.

I had no idea it would be this massive.  People in the restaurant were actually staring as they brought it out of the kitchen.

I took a few bites and decided it’s a bit too rich for me.  But at least I tried something new.

The second time around, I went with a classic, warm apple pie with ice cream.

This was a bold move as well because I went with an American classic, and you never know how that is going to turn out in a foreign country.

El Mirasol got it right.  

And yes, that is real vanilla, not that flavorless Crema Americana most ice cream shops try to pawn off as vanilla.)

The Verdict

El Mirasol is a great option for those who want an upscale traditional steak experience.  I have dined at both the La Recova and Boedo locations, and I noticed that the recurring theme with the staff is top-level service with a playful attitude.  They all seem to enjoy their work and chatting with customers while still offering excellent service.

Check out the Boedo location for a more casual experience, completely off the tourist trail.  La Recova is a centrally-located option that is a bit more fancy and has a nice patio.  They also have a Puerto Madero location that I have not yet visited.

Have you tried sabayon?

 

Living in or visiting Buenos Aires?

Check out my previous posts in the Eating My Way Through BA series for tips on excellent dining experiences.

 

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