Workers' Paradise in Buenos Aires

04.27.07

I gasped as I walked into El Obrero, a 53-year-old restaurant in a run-down part of town whose name ("the worker") was a hint to its blue-collar appeal. It was the kind of place I've been trying to track down all my life. The smoky smell of the Argentine grill floated in the air as I took my seat in a room papered with soccer posters and stuffed with sports memorabilia. Tiger Woods was putting on TV.

el obrero
I wanted what everyone in the room was having, so I started with a creamy mix of butter, cognac and Roquefort to spread on little white rolls. I dressed an arugula salad at the table and split a chard-and-tomato tortilla (a frittata-like dish that also included eggs, potato, and cheese). But best of all was blood sausage with sweetbreads. A mellow Malbec from Mendoza was just the wine for the occasion, and I couldn't resist the Flan Casero for dessert, which came with a dollop of dulce de leche ice cream and a mountain of whipped cream.

Comments

Post a Comment

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Recipes, tips, reviews, and more from Ruth Reichl and Co.

Preview new selections, get author insights, and more.

Subscribe to Gourmet

Conde Nast Store
Give a gift
Explore Gourmet

Gourmet Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO GOURMET

and save 69% off the newsstand price!

12 issues for $12 + $3 shipping & handling
*plus applicable sales taxNon-USA - Click Here