Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Expensive
1884
INTERNATIONAL Some people come to Mendoza just to eat at celeb-
rity chef-philosopher-food guru Francis Mallmann's restaurant, inside the Romanesque
Bodega Escorihuela—known, among other things, for housing the biggest wine barrel in
the province. With fine Argentine meats and fresh local produce, his carefully presented
cuisine combines his P atagonian roots with his F rench culinary training. Local go-tos,
such as
lechón
(young pork) and
chivito
(baby goat), ar e classics, and the huge outdoor
wooden stove produces an incr edible salted chicken. This is simple food pr epared in a
rustic, stripped-do wn style typical for M allmann. D ishes ar e pr epared with matching
local wine selections, with M albec and Syrah topping the list. I n the summer, request a
coveted garden table. For dessert, the
chocolate fanático
will blo w your hat off . You can
easily combine in the same visit a meal here with a tour of the
bodega,
which also has an
art gallery. Tours are offered weekdays every hour fr om 9:30am to 3:30pm. As of pr ess
time, 1884 is now only open for dinner.
Belgrano 1188, Godo y Cruz (at P residente Alv ear).
&
261/424-2698.
Reser vations highly r ecom-
mended. Main courses $19-$37 (£13-£25). AE, MC, V. Daily 8:30pm-midnight.
271
Francesco Ristorante
ITALIAN Mendoza is populated by Italians, and there are
many fine Italian restaurants in town. Francesco, though, is the most elegant and classy.
In the kitchen, María Theresa oversees a menu that has impressed for decades. The meat
and homemade pasta dishes are equally excellent. The option of combining three stuffed
pastas lets you try some of the highlights. D on't miss the tiramisu for desser t. Service is
seriously professional here, including a doting sommelier. The outdoor garden is roman-
tic and lovely on a summer's evening.
Chile 1268 (at Espejo and Gutiérr ez), M endoza.
&
261/425-3912.
w ww.francescoristorante.com.ar.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $10-$18 (£6.80-£12). AE, MC, V. Daily 7:30pm-12:30am.
Grill Q
PARRILLA At last, a sophisticated and upscale
parrilla
in downtown Men-
doza that sho wcases the finest of traditional Argentine cuisine. R ecently opened inside
the Park Hyatt hotel, Grill Q has a purely regional menu, from classic cuts of beef (ten-
derloin, rib-eye, skirt, flank, or r ump steaks) to local specialties such as
locro
stew and
empanadas. Start with a matambr e beef roll, then choose a cut of beef , pick a side dish
(simple salad or grilled v egetables), and get y our knife r eady. It's a crisp , bright r oom,
with wooden ceilings and chairs, and a patio that 's in the hotel 's outdoor atrium. N ext
door is the snazzy ne w the Vines Wine Bar and Vinoteca, meaning the wine list at Q is
one of the best in the countr y.
Park Hyatt Hotel, Chile 112 (at Sarmient o and Espejo).
&
261/441-1234.
Reservations recommended.
Main courses $12-$19 (£8.20-£13). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 12:30-3:30pm and 8pm-midnight.
10
Moderate
Azafrán
Finds
INTERNATIONAL This charming restaurant, named after the
highly prized and rare saffron spice, is set behind an attractively decorated all-wood wine
store/cellar. Needless to say, wines ar e big her e, and they hav e more than 300 differ ent
labels for you to choose from. Before you peruse the menu, step into the cellar to discuss
your tastes with the friendly on-site sommelier, who'll encourage you to match your food
to y our wine (not the other way ar ound). R egardless, the food is imaginativ e, fr esh,
relaxed, and eclectic. You may start with the house specialty—a platter of smoked meats
and cheeses. For entrees, the rabbit ravioli in champagne sauce is delicate and unusual,
and the v egetables and tofu baked in a puff pastr y will please any v egetarian. Even the
steak here is served with a twist—in this case, with sw eet potato puréed in a light cream
