My Facebook page certainly has not done anything for my waistline. I have the tendency to crowdsource recommendations or ideas before I travel, and they inevitably result in very fine lists of great places to eat. I consider this phenomenon as proof that my friends not only know me, but they love me. And wow, do I love them! Friends in my social media network have helped me enjoy some of the best meals of my life…their clicks turning into calories that I won’t soon forget.
This is the way I found El Establo (no website, but some reviews and mentions here). Neslted in a narrow, busy street in the district behind Buenos Aires’ Plaza San Martin,* my humble dinner at this restaurant instantly came in at the top of my “very favorite” list. Friends had recommended it because they said it was the “type of place you like – good food, not overdressed, and comfortable.” They were right.
The owner of El Establo recognized me as someone who doesn’t like to eat alone, and chatted with me during a wonderful meal of Argentine specialties: perfectly cooked steak, a simple but tasty salad, and french fries that leave you happy, not guilty. The staff wasn’t fussy, nor overly gushy, but definitely friendly. They took the time to recommend things that they said they liked. It didn’t feel like the waiter was evangelizing about the dish that the manager was pushing that night. Instead, the waiter’s words rang like an honest recommendation about what he would sit down and order with their friends if they were dining at the restaurant that night. (I love it when this happens. Too often I feel like servers aren’t allowed to give you an actual opinion of something…political correctness or careful marketing tableside seems to have taken this option away from today’s dining experience).
What I most enjoyed about my meal at El Establo was that the food was the real feature. The steak came out in a simple metal plate (no doubt in use by the restaurant since it opened 30 years ago) that seemed to have soaked in years of good flavor. The decor was modest and the restaurant was far from chic – but looked great. The entire place felt comfortable in its own skin, welcomed newcomers like me, and took care of the groups of neighborhood regulars who clearly use the place as their favorite haunt for a good, honest meal.
I knew I would love eating in Argentina, but I didn’t expect to find a place that so seamlessly falls into the category of “you can’t go wrong.” I am sure there are thousands of people who consider El Establo THEIR place in Buenos Aires. I happily add myself to that list.
*El Establo; Calle Paraguay 489, Buenos Aires, Tel 4311-1639