Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
272
Tips
The Real Scoop
Mendocinos love ice cream, and they have some of the best in a c ountry pas-
sionate for the stuff. There are
heladerías
on most every street. The best in town
is
Helados Ferruccio Soppelsa
(
&
261/422-9000
), run b y a family of immi-
grants from the Italian Dolomites. The classics are
dulce de leche,
tiramisu, and
strawberry and cr eam. And check out the
vino
-inspired flavors such as pine -
apple with Voignier, vanilla with Malbec, and peach with Syrah. They have more
than a dozen locations in the Mendoza area, but it's fun to join the local families
who gather in the ev ening at the busy shop on the c orner of Belg rano and
Sarmiento/Civit. There's also one on the northwest corner of the Plaza Indepen-
dencia, another at the Palmares Mall, and a new one in Chacras de Coria's main
square.
sauce. Given how busy this place almost always is, the ser vice is convivial, and the wood
tables and vintage checker ed floors giv e you a sense of dining in an old farmhouse. I n
warm months, there are a few lovely tables on the sidewalk for alfresco dining.
Sarmiento 765 (at Belg rano and P erú).
&
261/429-4200.
Reser vations recommended. Main courses
$4-$7 (£2.70-£4.75). AE, MC, V. Mon-Sat 12:30-4pm and 8pm-1am.
Mi Tierra
Moments
ARGENTINE If, for some unfor tunate r eason, y ou don't hav e
time to tour any vineyar ds in M endoza, a meal at M i Tierra will come pr etty close to
replicating the
bodega
experience. Tucked inside an old do wntown house, each r oom of
this “thematic restaurant” presents the wines of a differ ent local vineyard, including two
local heavyw eights, Catena Z apata and Chandon, sho wcasing the vintages, style, and
history. You really feel like you've been whisked out to Maipú for dinner. The menu offers
rustic local specialties such as goat, y oung pork, wild boar , and rabbit. The pastas ar e
excellent. For dessert, try the chardonnay parfait. Wines are offered in a flight, another
bonus. Although it's a bit touristy and the food isn 't out of the or dinary, the intentions
are good, and the building itself is delightful.
Mitre 794 (c orner of San L orenzo), M endoza.
&
261/425-0035.
Reser vations r ecommended. M ain
courses $15-$24 (£10-£16). AE, MC, V. Daily noon-3:30pm and 8:30pm-12:30am.
10
Inexpensive
Estancia La Florencia
Value
ARGENTINE This casual family eatery pays homage
to the legendar y gaucho, and its two lev els mimic a traditional
estancia.
Ask one of the
waiters, not one of whom is under 50, for a r ecommended plate, and he will likely tell
you,
“Una comida sin car ne no es comida”
(a meal without meat isn 't a meal). S o choose
one of the many varieties of steaks, the
lomo
being the most tender; or order a half-grilled
chicken served with a lemon slice. Just remember that a plate of meat is a plate of meat,
uncorrupted by green vegetables or anything but potatoes (usually fries). Other accouter-
ments must be ordered separately. Food is served promptly and without fanfare.
Sarmiento 698 and P erú.
&
261/429-3008.
Main courses $10-$18 (£6.80-£12). AE, MC, V. Mon-Wed
noon-5pm and 8pm-2am; Thurs-Sun noon-2am.
