Buenos Aires Bits & Pieces
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I've been back in the States for several days, but a bit too exhausted and slammed with work to report for blogging duty. But, I feel like I can't truly embrace writing about my adventures in the good ol' U.S. of A. until I tackle a few more Argentine keepsakes...
*Roaming around the tree-lined streets of Buenos Aires' Palermo Soho district, checking out chic boutiques and homespun jewelry stores, as well as stylish restaurants for a chilled glass of Torrontes wine or an Helado shop for a quick ice cream fix.
*Relaxing at our hip hotel pick - The Mine - in the heart of Palermo Soho, complete with jacuzzi tub, balcony, backyard pool and friendly staffers...
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*The site of beloved dogs, dogs and more dogs -- not to mention their droppings -- creating a minefield along the city's sidewalks.
*Local crafts markets chock-a-block with handmade finger puppets, 70's hippie leather goods and silver rings and things galore.
*The wafting aroma of still-warm-from-oven breads and pastries in numerous street-side bakeries, beckoning Karen and I inside for a decadent dulce de leche-filled alfajor cookie or two...
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*Growing tired of lunches and dinners filled with meat, turning to hipster Asian cafe Green Bamboo for Curried Vegetables and Peruvian hot spot Zadvarie for a cool, mouth-puckering, fresh Ceviche Mixto and a hauntingly flavorful rendition of Langoustine Ceviche served warm...
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*The bitter poverty of the La Boca district contrasted by its 4-block tourist zone of brightly painted restaurants and shops, tango shows and makeshift galleries.
*A friendly lunch at the warm and inviting family affair called Social Paraiso.
*Winding our way through the city's famous Recoleta cemetery until we happened upon the resting place of Evita Peron.
*A glam dinner at Buenos Aires' restaurant-of-the-moment, Casa Cruz, where Karen and I swooned over a hedonistic appetizer of Foie Gras Brulee and an equally indulgent dessert of Earl Grey Souffle -- not to mention a swoon or two over the delectable sommelier.
*Making our way through Buenos Aires' smoke choked streets, when a nearby forest fire's fumes drift headlong into the city.
*With the air clear at last, a Sunday brunch at Palermo Hollywood's Olsen with new gal pals, happily met in Patagonia...
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*Realizing that this was our last hurrah in BA, as we tucked into the Scandinavian-inspired restaurant's Smorgesbord delights, Gravlax and own breed of bagels before heading to the airport...
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So, tonight I eat a bagel from Fairway in Red Hook, but it will be Olsen's bizarre (yet tasty) versions and BA's many charms that will be on mind. Frankly, I can't wait to go back!