Latah Lounge

Argentina cuisine is a great mixture of Italian, French and Spanish influences with a bit of German and Russian thrown in as spice. Italian restaurants are abundant and authentic. French restaurants and architecture are common and excellent. And one of the most popular food items is the Spanish influenced, asado; grilled beef over wood. Typically an asado includes a variety of meat such as tenderloin (lomo), ribs, chorizo, kidneys, sweet meats, blood sausage and even pork belly.

We tried a few different asados and they were similar to an American bbq but with much more variety and the quality of the beef was exceptional.  Enjoy the pictures and salivate if you want to.

While in Mendoza we had the chance to taste the French inspired haute cuisine from the much-acclaimed chef Jean Paul Bondoux.

In his own words, “Cooking comes from the people, from regional traditions, from a province. It is a matter of culture, not snobbishness or fashion. It is a country’s identity. Tastes and flavors must remain distinct and pure. Fusion cuisine is nothing but confusion! My cuisine is tied to the land: I like thyme, bay, sage, rosemary, garlic, onions, tomatoes… everything that is close to the earth. Bread, eggs, cheese… real things. Reality.”

We were inspired.

We are fortunate to once again host Gary Burris as our free live entertainment this Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9pm. If you haven’t heard Gary yet, you really should not miss him. He will not be around Spokane for long as he is heading out to tour. You can preview his beautiful acoustic guitar music on MySpace.

Mendoza sits to the far west of Argentina, is surrounded by arid plains or desert foothills on the
west high in the Andes Cordillera. Mendoza is closer to Santiago, the capital of Chile, than to Buenos Aires. It is the main grape producing province because the area is very sunny and dry which favors the color of the grapes and
the relative humidity is low but also relatively cool. Water is easily controlled by irrigation. Most vineyards are at altitudes above 2,800 feet. The grapes grow in very beneficial conditions with little rot and few insects or diseases and
can attain complex flavors thanks to a long growing season.

Here are a few of the favorite wineries we visited.
 

Alta Vista  The most unique wine was the 07 Bonardo, an Italian varietal, but the 05 Alto blend (75% Malbec, 25% Cab) was the highlight; figs, raspberry and chocolate with beautiful fine-grained tannins.

Carlos Pulenta  Loved the 08 Tomero malbec with grapes grown at 4,000 ft in the Uco Valley

Belasco Baquedano  The aromatic room would have stolen the show at this winery except for the outstanding lunch (corn tart pictured above) and the beautiful “Swinto” malbec and the Rosa malbec rose.
Catena Zapata   

Catena Zapata One of the biggest production wineries in Agentina - 8 million bottles per year, multiple labels and an amazing production facility. The favorite line we taste was the Angelica Zapata, not yet available in the US. The malbec was fantastic.

illustration by Chad Crow
Great article by John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods. Apparently his opinions have created a boycott of Whole Foods. Really? Has the offering of alternative opinions to ObamaCare actually come to this point? Demagogy is a dangerous political game.

Health Care

Quilmes and Andes were the two most popular beers in Argentina and they were great. When you order them at a restaurant they always come in the liter size. Oh well.

Free Entertainment!

This Wednesday night 6:30 pm Live - Kalliope (Dave, Heather and Bob) , acoustic vocal trio. No cover, free parking, great food and drink.

I just found out about a neighbor in need and want to pass along a website for anyone interested in helping. This is what communities are for.  Please check out the website to help Sean and his family. Thanks

Empanadas

Spanish in origin, these little snacks are everywhere, street vendors, cafes, restaurants and equate to the Argentinian equivalent to a fast food hamburger. The filling can vary but the most popular is beef and onion mix. These tasty morsels only cost about $1 for two. Take that Mc D’s.

photo by Buenos Aires Perception

Facturas - pastries of all shapes, sizes, fillings and glazes. Delicious, decadent and pretty. Available on every corner at the pastelerias (bakeries). Argentinians eat these like daily bread for breakfast and the afternoon tea.

Alfajores - Spanish in origin but remind me of some hostess products but much more refined and delicious. Can have a variety of fillings and coatings but my favorite was chocolate covered with dolce de lechi inside. Very popular and consumed frequently especially with coffee or yerba matte.

Medialuna - slightly sweet croissants made with lard. Again, consumed like bread everywhere. We had piles of these for breakfast.
The people in Argentina are not really overweight which is a mystery since they love beef, sausage, pizza, and tons of sweets. Indulgence without guilt may just burn calories.