Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wine and Food
The boom in delis and wine
stores is relatively new, pushed
on by the increasing number
of wealthy tourists in the city
looking for good wines and
local products. Travelers not
bound for the Mendoza region
should definitely explore the
wine shops in the capital. For
personal service, which includes
wine tastings, go to
Ligier
. They
also help with organizing
overseas shipping.
Winery
is a
smart wine supermarket with a
range of stock from all regions,
while
Lo de Joaquin Alberdi
is
more focused on boutique
vintages from Mendoza.
There are
panaderías
(bakeries) throughout the
city, and most high streets
have
dietéticas
(health stores)
stocking vitamins, whole-grain
biscuits, diet products, and
snacks.
Confiterías
(large cafés)
and bars sell fresh pastries and
sandwiches; the latter delicious
at
Pain et Vin
. To try the city's
best
medialunas
(sweet
croissants), visit
Dos Escudos
.
La Casa del Queso
stocks
mild, milky cheeses and cured
meats from the provinces as
well as antipasto, breads, and
other bites.
La Fondue:
Gourmet Food Shop
also stocks
cheeses and other gourmet
treats. To try an
alfajor
, the local
cookie, visit
Havanna
, which
has outlets all across the city.
the western edge of the capital
is the Feria de Mataderos
(see
p120)
. At this bustling gaucho-
themed flea market, look out for
works by Florencio Molina
Campos, the country's best-
known cartoonist. His excellent
sketches for the calendars of the
Compañia Argentina de
Alpargatas are collector's items
all over the world.
Shopping Malls
Buenos Aires's oldest shopping
center,
Patio Bullrich
stocks
exclusive designer wear: Dior,
Versace, and Ralph Lauren, as
well as beautiful Argentinian
couture creations. The grand
Galerías Pacífico
(see p95)
was
renovated in the late 1990s, and
is now a multitiered emporium
of high-street fashion outlets,
shoe shops, and gift
kioskos
.
Alto Palermo
and the larger,
more handsome
Abasto
are
good for perfumes and health
shops. They also house popular
local chains such as
Chocolate
and
María Vázquez
.
Unicenter
is a classic US-style mall, with
huge electrical and white goods
stores.
Galerías
(small malls)
offer less expensive clothes and
orna ments, and
Galería Bond
Street
off Santa Fe stocks “goth”
and alternative fashionwear.
Recoleta is also home to the
new
Recoleta Mall
, which
overlooks the cemetery.
Stall in popular lea market, Feria de San
Pedro Telmo, San Telmo
Markets
The best handicraft markets in
Argentina are found in the
towns and cities of the interior,
especially those where indi-
genous and mestizo cultures
continue to thrive. For those
who are limited to buying in
the capital, the
Feria Artesanal
Plaza Francia
is good for bags,
mate
gear, and jewelry.
The larger
Feria de San Pedro
Telmo
, on Plaza Dorrego, stocks
tango souvenirs, old vinyl, and
low-grade antiques. The
Mercado de Pulgas is a great
place for a rummage: this huge
warehouse is full of rusty old
lamps, brass beds, books, and
scratched records. Bargains are
available for those furnishing
houses or aiming at a retro look
for a bar or restaurant. Out on
The spacious and elegant interior of the Patio Bullrich shopping mall
