Buenos Aires - Day 1

After a little drama with delayed flights and nearly missed connections with Melissa and Megan, we all finally met up at MIA last night. We boarded the flight to Buenos Aires. After arriving and collecting all of our bag except Megan’s luggage, we set off for Five Cool Rooms (http://www.fivebuenosaires.com). We arrived around 10 a.m., checked in and took at much needed shower. We then met up with Rolando and Liz, who had arrived a couple hours earlier.

The weather is GREAT. High 60s and a light breeze with sunshine. We took off for some lunch. We chose Bar 6, (http://www.barseis.com). The room was full of trendy people having a late lunch… we were greeted at the table with an assortment of breads and a roasted beet and olive oil spread. The roasted beets were so sweet and great on the crusty bread. The table ordered a round of a local beer, OtroMundo, a strong red ale while I opted for a Absolut Peppar Martini with a little bloody Mary mix to give the illusion it was something other than straight clear vodka. Dave and I shared Crispy Squid and Couscous salad and Medium Rare Lamb with incredible mashed potatoes. Others at the table ordered quesadillas, salads, chicken stuffed with Brie, and wok seared vegetables with shrimp. Everything was incredible. I also could not pass up a deconstructed tiramisu. After the full meal and 2 rounds of drinks and a couple of coffees, the total bill for 7 was $120…. We are amazed.











Over lunch we started planning our 3 days in Buenos Aires. Today’s activities included a 30 block walk to the Museo de Arte Moderno. It was nice and they had an incredible Frida Kahlo.



Everyone is napping now and we are gathering for dinner at 845 p.m. Everything is late here compared to home.
We wandered the 20 blocks back toward our hotel, exploring the Palermo Soho neighborhood. We split up to freshen up before dinner.


Met again and Dinner was at La Retirada. We started with an Argentine air-dried pork loin and cheese tray. We settled for a couple of bottles of 2 different Malbec blends. Both were good.
Dinner included Pastas –
Lamb Ravioli with mint sauce
Pumpkin Ravioli with butter sauce
Spinach Noodles with oven dried tomatoes
Lots of beef (Megan, Bill and Dave)
Salmon with grilled vegetables


Highlights of the meal were:
The pork loin - it was amazingly tender and flavorful.
The beef came with flavored oil that you could drizzle over the top.
The wines….



After dinner we all gathered in the “living room” of the hotel and did a slide show of pictures. Melissa took the picture of the day.

Our initial reaction for BA – WE Love the city. People are friendly; meals are incredibly inexpensive and delicious. There is a fun vibe. The group is going to be fun.

Melissa's guest blogger addition -
Hello all,

(we all gave ourselves "P" names. Thanks to Crysssie - Puddin has stuck with Danny) which is to say....hello, papi, pimp, pill, puddin, pan, principesa, and puss puss!!!

Today was a fantastic first day filled with great food, and even greater
company.
From Riccola, to megs getting caught in the museum to liss falling asleep on
the wooden bench (aka art), to steppin on doggy poop all day long to
��arhentina meat�!

Quotes of the day...
-Welcome to our little abode. please do not fart or everyone will wilt and
die.

Otro Mundo was out of this world. Meat was unbelievable and the helado later
was yummo.

more to come........

peace out,
pan


Saturday morning -
I ran this morning. My mantra for the day is “eat less…eat less … eat less” but I arrive at breakfast and they have bread with dos leches and coffee. Man…. This is good. More later.