Buenos Aires – Day 2

Picture of the day... Melissa and Danny doing the tango...







We gathered on the rooftop breakfast spot at the Five. For me it was a slice of bread, extra thick caramel and coffee. Something told me that my mantra of “eat less, eat less, eat less” was not going to work much today.

First was a frantic cab ride from our hotel to the La Boca district of BA. The main street was 6-7 lanes wide and there was very little attempt to mind the given lanes. The La Boca District has one of the main soccer stadiums and is know for its randomly painted buildings that were created from scrap lumber and found paint. It was one of the touristiest things we have done yet. We arrived to lots of people asking for money, trying to woo us into their shop, barking in broken English that their restaurant was the best.

A few highlights from this area were:

All of the recreated business signs. Random Tango on the street. Street vendors selling paintings and sculpture.



















We did a little shopping and trekked closer to the soccer stadium to take a couple of photos. (it is the yellow and blue building of this photo).







Megan, Dave and I had pumpkin, cheese and pumpkin seed empanada from the chef pulling the basket of warm bread.











We taxied out to the San Telmo District. This district is known for its plentiful antique shops and quaint cobblestone streets lined with shops. Very nice neighborhood. We hung out in the square looking over the weekend sidewalk vendor’s offerings and then started wondering off to find lunch. We avoided the locations on the square due to the high tourist traffic and opted for something a couple blocks away.










Our lunch included a Mozzarella and Watercress salad simply dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the table. Our entrée selections included:
Spinach Gnocchi with Leek and Cream Sauce
Traditional Gnocchi with Sauce Bolognese
Pasta with sautéed vegetables
Ravioli with Jamon and Gruyere Cheese
Chicken with Vegetables

We could not pass up the homemade Apple Tart with ice cream and lemon crepes. Before finishing dessert, one of the fellow patrons started playing the piano in the restaurant. His playing was better than the food. Also during lunch, we gave each other “A” names; Abu, Autumn, Atlas, Aladdin, Angel, Akai and Asiago.


After lunch we did a little more shopping. Melissa could not pass up a nice little cape, an olive green purse… Liz just “needed” a large red purse ….. it was a fun shop.

We then went to see the pink house – the argentine version of the white house and then went to the Obelisco – over 20 lanes come together in a large roundabout. We then took the subway back to our neighborhood and shopped our way back to the hotel.







We met for dinner …. It was 10 p.m. reservation at Cluney –

Cluney was a very nice dinner. We started with a white wine and a couple of appetizers for the table –
Avocado Mouse with warm shrimp and bamboo shoots
Mushrooms stuffed with spider crabs

We then switched to a red wine – the wine ordering was left up to Dave and Bill. Diego, our waiter, came back to the table and politely told Bill “you do not want that wine….we have much better wines here”. We selected an Argentine Syrah. It was GOOOD. Spicy with some black fruit. Great selection.

Dinner was a little repetitive. The most popular with 3 of us ordering Duck Marguerite, 2 beef tenderloin, 1 lamb rack and 1 salad…..

Dessert included a nice white dessert wine.
I had the mini sampler; a small coffee flan, small cheesecake and small quenelle of chocolate mousse.
Others included a warm chocolate cake with passion fruit foam

After dinner, Megan, Melissa, Liz, Rolando and I went in search of a Karaoke Bar…. We did not find one, but settled for nightcap.

Sunday – it is raining this morning….. we are altering our plans a bit… more on day 3 soon. What will our letter of the day be? New adventures…..