Alejandra Rodriguez from Buenos Aires, Argentina...
In Buenos Aires there's a lot of neighborhood restaurants which
are really interesting for women. During daylight all these places
are located in what are considered safe areas of the city. In
my own neighborhood of Las Cañitas, I recommend Las
Cholas (Arce 306. Tel: 054 11 4899-0094), a bustling place
that gathers young people and also families -- where you can appreciate
"criollas" specialties and grilled meats at fair prices. There
are also good sandwiches, also sausage (choripán), regional stews
and empanadas on offer. Open noon-close (usually very late) Mon-Sun.
Not far from there, in Palermo neighborhood, Hermann
is a nice spot just in front of Botanical Garden (Av. Santa Fe
3902. Tel: 054 11 4832-1929). It only keeps a few specialties
from its German origins and serves traditional Porteña food in
abundant portions at reasonable prices.
La Escondida, in Nuñez neighborhood
(Campos Salles 2109. Tel: 054 11 4701-1648) is also located off-downtown.
This rural-style restaurant is very popular and usually crowded
on weekends, and its specialty is grilled meat (open noon-3.30pm
& 8pm-3am, Mon-Sun).
In the downtown business core, I recommend El
Claustro, a low-priced restaurant chosen by office workers
for lunch. Located in an old convent in the middle of the financial
district (Reconquista 269), it serves traditional porteños’ and
during spring and summer there are tables around the garden to
have lunch "al fresco." Not open for dinner. On Sundays, the Convent
hosts an Antique Fair.
And finally, in Buenos Aires you shouldn't miss a typical "bodegon,"
as humble barrio eateries are known in our city. Visit Miramar
(Av. San Juan 1999, San Cristóbal neighborhood, Tel: 054 11 4304-4261),
a bar and restaurant, at an out-of-the way location with a menu
mostly based on Spanish and Italian immigrants' cooking. The place
preserves another Argentine peculiarity: a wine and take-out food
store at the front and, on Sundays, at 10 pm, bandoneon player
Julio Pane offers a show (open 11am-11pm Wed-Mon). P.S. Miramar
is probably not so well located for solo women travellers, but
calling a radio taxi is enough precaution at night.
