That Argentine Life

Argentina

{The husband and I right outside his grandmother’s apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina}

Hotel Alvear

{LOVE our suite at Hotel Alvear — so fancy yet not fussy, huh}

Argentina

{Shopping for Argentine table wear which is TO DIE}

Belgrano, Buenos Aires

{Obsessed with the tree-lined streets of Belgrano}

Hola! Buenos dias from Buenos Aires. I’m coming at you live from the husband’s motherland. For those of you not in the know, Sebastian grew up in a teensy town in Argentina up until the age of 13. This explains his thick accent. And hairy back. And propensity toward consuming cow carcasses.

We’re here because Sebastian was graciously asked to baptize the son of one of his childhood friends — and I for one — couldn’t be happier to visit this beautiful city which boasts so much potential yet unfortunately finds itself in both political and economical turmoil for years now. In fact, it’s this constant socioeconomic unrest which propelled his parents to leave the country in 1990. 

This is my fourth visit to Argentina and we chose to stay in the city’s most classic and luxe hotel, Hotel Alvear. The hotel’s Old World ambience (think white-gloved waiters, silver china, crystal chandeliers, layers of rich fabrics, antiques galore) is a most welcome departure from the modern and stark hotel interiors omnipresent in the States. 

On our first day, we visited Sebastian’s 92-year-old grandmother, La Nona, who resides in the tree-lined neighborhood of Belgrano. She inspires me in droves because while frail and light as a feather… she is as sharp as the knives we scored later in the day! We took her to lunch and noshed on my all-time Argentina treat: Empanadas. Stuffed with ground beef or ham & cheese, these little pillows of salty goodness are what I imagine  heaven tastes like (if that even make sense). Wait, of course it does.

After catching up with La Nona, we shopped (obvi) at the city’s most fancy mall, Patio Bullrich, where I scored a sweet cardigan and beach coverup. My favorite boutiques here are Jazmin Chebar, Akiabara, Rapsodia and Trosman. The bbq-obsessed husband, on the other hand, spent his time pricing out a new knife silver knife set. Fun fact about us: Haggling is an art form which both of us enjoy and are quite good at.

Two naps later (Yes, two! Don’t hate, congratulate!), we met up with Sebastian’s cronies in the city’s most popular steak restaurant Cabaña La Lilas in the idyllic port called Puerto Madero. I basically consumed an entire cow (sweet breads, intestine, ribs, flank) and found myself moo-ing by the third course. Said perfect evening was topped of with a dulce de leche gelato from Freddo

When in Argentina… 

 

6 Comments

  1. Sandra
    January 11, 2015 / 10:45 am

    Thick accent and hairy back killed me!

  2. January 11, 2015 / 12:09 pm

    Wish I knew about those boutiques when I went last year! Fun trip!!! xx

  3. January 13, 2015 / 8:54 pm

    Love these photos! Hope you kids are having a blast.

  4. January 15, 2015 / 8:30 am

    This just fueled my desire to go to Argentina even more. Have fun!!!

  5. January 15, 2015 / 9:12 am

    hi!! I love Buenos Aires! Are you still away? I have not seen you in a long time 🙁
    kiss!

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