Not a Cesar Salad.
Last night, Martin and I headed out to the second meeting of “Start-ups Buenos Aires” event organized by Jonathan Harada and Eric Northam. It was held at the bar Carnal – which is close to home and gave me some extra added incentive to get the word out about this great project that I’m working on creating a classified real estate website. All in all, it was a nice time – meeting new and interesting people who came together to share their entrepreneurial experiences, network and understand more about growing businesses in Buenos Aires.
There were a lot of expats, and Martin and I basically found ourselves at a cozy table with a Norwegian and two women originally from Iran who currently reside in Norway and are here trying to promote their new NGO.
One of these women, Rebecca, got a little hungry and ordered some food. Now she’s been traveling back and forth to Argentina for more than a year now, so everyone at the table pretty much assumed that she knew what she was doing when she ordered the Cesar Salad, but apparently, we were wrong. See in Buenos Aires, it’s really hard to find a good Cesar Salad. Probably the best one that I’ve ever tasted here was at the American-themed restaurant, Kansas on Libertador.
This one from Bar Carnal was pretty sad, though, and even though she complained, there was really no getting around the fact that it was lettuce, cheese, processed chicken and bread with a dollop of mayonnaise and salt. All that for 30 pesos. Total rip off. Pretty disgusting – as evidenced by the horrified look on Rebeccas face.
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Gina,
That is the worst looking Cesar salad I have ever seen. And I have seen (and eaten) some bad ones in BA. Now I don’t even think of having one unless it’s in the safety of my own home.
Anyway, despite the Cesar salad, I’m happy you got to meet some new people. It was really nice to meet you and I’m looking forward to exchanging Japanese food recommendations with someone as opinionated about it as me!
Cheers!
Jonathan Harada
There’s a fantastic chopped ceasar salad at lunch time at Mine Hotel Boutique on Gorriti. Fresh lettuce, great dressing, and a big portion. The ceasar at Pregiatto – a few doors down from La Cabrera – is also pretty tasty. It’s one of Don’s favorite casual dishes so we’ve been trying them out at the good spots. You know us.
I had a decent Ceasar at Dobo Club (I think that’s the name) in Galeria Pacifica for 21 pesos. Reasonable portions and dressed perfectly, except for it not really being a Ceasar without the anchovies. But that happens in the States as well.
Heavens forbid, but there’s always TGI Fridays, he says, ducking.
There is much good food in Argentina and yet you complain about a stupid Cesar Salad that is a really bad salad compared to all the GREAT food you can find there… what closeminded people!
If you really need some full of calories creamy salad (which is obviously NOT the argentinian way of eating salad) try something good, such as the Waldorf Salad in the argentinan version.
When in Rome….
Sometimes too, people crave “tastes” that they’re familiar with.. or something that they tried, liked and perhaps even wanted to eat again. That is not closed-minded. And as you can see in the article and following comments – there are some pretty good ones out there…
Most importantly, the point is if a restaurant is going to offer something at a price that suggests higher standards, and their patrons may expect certain elements consistent with a product’s name – they should a) explain the ingredients so as not to disallusion the clientele, or b) provide quality products to meet or exceed client expectations.