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Buenos Aires Café - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Latin American Restaurants Argentine Latin American, Argentine [Edit]
2414 S 1st StAustin, TX 78704
Neighborhoods: 78704 (South Austin), So-Fi (S. 1st St. District)
(512) 441-9000
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
161 reviews for Buenos Aires Café
Review Highlights
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"Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee with Mate was to murder and..." In 8 reviews -
"I started the meal with a delicious spinach salad." In 22 reviews -
"Followed by the Quatro Leches, which is to die for." In 16 reviews
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161 reviews in English
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Review from Molly c.
Updated - 11/19/2010
i have now been to the eastside location a couple times ... and it is just as exceptional as it's now-defunct southside predecessor.
truly outstanding service, divine, delicious food, great wine list.
cozy ambiance.
i very much enjoy this location better - easier parking, very close to my house, bigger dining room.Listed in: austin eateries : top ten
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/11/2010
a perfección absoluta.
oh yes.
dimly lit, intimate, casual.
shared a spinach salad with candied pecans… Read more »
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Review from Mary L.
Austin, TX
3/22/2011
The gnocchi has ruined me for all other gnnocchi. Everything we had was very good and the staff was very nice.
Too bad the same can't be said for their second location in East Austin (very snooty wait staff who will snub and talk smack about you for having a coupon...seriously?) -
Review from Jack W.
Bee Cave, TX
Updated - 8/6/2010
Buenos Aires Cafe Sur will be closing on 8/28/10. The new Hill Country Galleria location opens on 9/08/10. South Austin get it while you can, the surf and turf special is fantastic. Mike our waiter did an outstanding job.
All the best to BAC. See yall at the Galleria.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/10/2010
A lovely small restaurant in south Austin. Buenos Aires Cafe Sur delivers
the goods. The steak and… Read more »
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Review from Errol M.
1/7/2010
Let me cut to dessert first:
As a rule, I tend to avoid public displays of ecstasy--it's an exercise of self-control, and I've also discovered many people can't seem to mind their own business if I break out with Paul Robeson's "Ol' Man Leches" at sixty-seven decibels. Perhaps it is startling if you're unprepared for it, just like my first taste of the Quatro Leches here. If you must know, I did manage to tone down my instinctive reaction to concertize to a simple "Oh my," in a glorious basso profundo. Mr. Robeson would have been amused.
It may have been the moon, the impending freezing arctic frost, or even magic pixie dust in the air, but having dinner at this Buenos Aires Cafe was the most fun I've had in a long time. Yes, you can focus on every table and overhear every conversation if you want to, but that quickly becomes oblivious with your own table-mate present and the arrival of the toasted garlic bread.
We did try the picante empanada because we felt like we should, and while it was enjoyable, neither of us are aficionados of stuffed savory pastry. For what it's worth, the empanadas were the only things I found that distinctly categorizes this place as a "Latin American/Argentine" venue--everything else is cool contemporary bistro.
So we split a small mixta (just enough, great vinaigrette), and shared our dual entrees of pollo al horno and pork medallions. It was delicious. I usually try to analyze and deconstruct every component of what I order, but here, I just became entranced with the precise elegance of superb taste and simple presentation. You ever have restaurant moments that you just don't want to end? Easy to have them here. If you're an Austinite with history, this place reminded me of Castle Hill during the 10th and Lamar era.
On this particular evening I didn't see the check; my guess would be about $60 for food, water, and tip. There were two waitstaff working in tandem for the whole house of ten tables (no one sat outside), I didn't catch their names, but they were great. What was cool and oddly cult-like were the framed "Best of Yelp" certificates along the walls; did I mention I never heard of this place until I read reviews on Yelp?
They apparently have different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I know my next journey here will involve the lunchtime steak sandwich and possibly another Quatro Leches. Oh, we'll make that slightly more than a possibility. -
Review from lindsey w.
Austin, TX
11/28/2009 ROTD 3/9/2010
Buenos Aires is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole wide world.
For three specific reasons: the food. the service. the ambiance.
Food:
This reminds me of my mother's home cooking (if she was Argentinian and a good cook, that is, which she's not, so I guess it doesn't.) Okay, scratch that. This reminds me of some delicious, South American inspired, made with love, lavished with care- home cooking. It's not overdone. It's just simply... ah. Every time I go, I always start with the empanadas, which are savory and cannot be missed. But people, you have to try their gnocchi. It is always perfectly cooked, dressed to perfection and the perfect amount of goodness for my belly. My lady always goes with the Shepherd's pie. Apparently it's the shit.
The service:
Great. Really, really good. Even though there is like 2 of them running around in a tiny little space, they make time to care for everyone. If your wine takes a bit to come out, it's okay. It's just okay. Any other place, I would be pissed. Cause I need my wine. But no.. here, you really understand that you're the guest and these people are your hosts and if you just chill, they will take good care of you. You know that you have good service when you ask about a specific bottle of wine and the waiter gives you "that look". Thank you! "Which one is good?" Now that good bottle of wine is one of my all time favs. Oh! Plus... there was a 45 minute wait, so they took my number down, told us to go drink a beer at G&S and called me when the table was ready. Holy shit.. I love you!
The ambiance:
Just so nice. Cuddley and intimate and so Austin to me. Like a little gem next to a ghetto pawn shop. I would recommend sitting inside. It's just too lovely to miss.
One Suggestion:
Don't bring boring people to talk to. Bring family. and close friends. This is not an uptight place. It's a place to fall in love with your partner over desert or a place to laugh until you cry with your best friends over a reasonably priced bottle of wine.
Highly recommended. and Highly appreciated. -
Review from Jaye B.
Austin, TX
Updated - 5/1/2009
God I love this place. Today I had a steak sandwich for lunch with a spinach salad on the side and it was divine. The dressing on the salad was so tasty. Kind of like a kicked-up balsamic vinaigrette but a little thicker and sweeter.
The steak sandwich was perfectly medium rare and tender. It had a chimichuri sauce and was served on the most perfect bread I've had in ages. Is it wrong that I want to go back for dinner tonight?Listed in: AustinLand (tm) in Waiting, My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2007
I've never had a bad experience at Buenos Aires. The first time I went, I had a roast chicken with… Read more »
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Review from Andrea R.
3/22/2009
Happy hour at Paggi House:
3 appetizers, a basket of bread, dessert, and lots of wine. Kevin N and Allison P then suggested we make our way to Buenos Aires Cfae for dinner. Um, whaaaat? I don't turn down food very often, but I was stuffed to the max...so we decided to go for drinks elsewhere.
The very next night I met up with a friend for dinner and got to see what Buenos Aires Cafe is all about. And if I had known it was this good I would have gladly eaten a 2nd dinner the night before!!
I was excited for the empanadas, but I think the empanada was ordered was the least favorite part of my meal. So skip those and go right for the entrees. My friend and I split the Canelones Caneros and the special. The special was snapper topped with crab meat fondue, shrimp, and really yummy mashed potatoes. It was lick your plate good...and I pretty much did just that. Oh, and the Canelones Caneros was pretty darn tasty too. Both my friend and I couldn't stop raving about both dishes!
After all that deliciousness we just couldn't say no to dessert. We went right for the quartro leches and it was quite heavenly. The service was just as delightful as the food and I enjoyed eating on their front patio.
I'll never say no to dinner at Buenos Aires Cafe again...can't think of a better place to enjoy a first or second dinner.Listed in: Yelping Austin Style
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Review from Kevin N.
1/27/2008 1 Check-in Here
It's easy to forget if you don't dine fine very often what, exactly, it is that makes a special dining evening genuinely amazing. Thanks to the Buenos Aires Cafe, I got a crash course in memory jolting last night, and I'm amped about it.
This wasn't a flawless dining experience, but darn near, as once we were sat things went off without a hitch. I overheard our waiter casually mention that they weren't comparatively busy (the previous night there had been a two hour wait), but word to the wise: this place is definitely worth trying, and you'll want to get there early. Also, don't park anywhere near the G&S, as charm school over there apparently regularly tows. Word to the wise.
Buenos Aires Cafe seems to succeed based on a couple of ideas: the amazing food (*amazing* - really great), and the nuanced approach to what they do. I was introduced to Cerveza Quilmes prior to dinner, and it may be my new brew of the moment: crisp, flavorful, not too heavy but full of layers. Yum. For dinner I attacked the pork tenderloin (though there were about a half-dozen dishes I wanted to try), and the dessert lover had her way with the Milenesa a la Napolitana, a beef cutlet-mozzarella-marinara dish she pronounced scrumptious.
For dessert we juggled the creme brulee, which tonight came with a spicy dark chocolate layer, and the quatro leches. Both were amazing, and we were amazed. We'll definitely be back, and I can't wait to drop in with some out of towners to watch jaws drop...other than my own.Listed in: Austin!, Beer in Austin, Austin Eating Healthy
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Review from Kyle S.
Austin, TX
1/16/2009
I usually only review a place if I've been there at least twice, to discount bad nights, etc, but a nice little Buenos Aires moment months after eating there suggested writing this.
I was wondering where we should eat tonight and as usual closed my eyes and asked my taste buds what they want. And out of nowhere they recalled with strange precision the cinnamon pumpkin gnocchi from Buenos Aires Cafe, which we ate many moons back.
It's only the most unique tastes that jump out of nowhere in my mind like that, and I recall clearly what a subtly sweet and earthy taste it was. The other gnocchi flavors were excellent too, but the pumpkin was the lovely little revelation, with a firm, silky texture that complemented the fluffy tastes.
We also enjoyed the empanadas, very flaky, small enough to be an amuse bouche, but bailed on the semi-fabled quatro leches due to the major drawback here: the claustrophobia and lack of privacy. The tables are packed in and lots of people waiting made it all too tight and turned what might have been a very fine meal into a suddenly fervent wish to flee, lest we hear more from the table one foot away about its occupants' sexual difficulties.
Clearly they didn't order the pumpklin gnocchi. -
Review from Holly A.
1/11/2008
OMG.
OMFG.
WOW.
This is F-A-B. Where do I start? Perhaps with the end? If a place has an ambience that sends you off into the night to show your first born whip, for the very first time, to your girl - that's perfection!
This place is truly delightful. The food is incredible, with wonderful just-right portions, beautiful presentation, and the prices are pretty damn good for the 5 star yumminess you get. My favorite part about this place is the oh so tiny size of the Cafe and the welcoming vibes in the air. Even though the tables are extremely close, it really doesn't matter much as everyone here seems to be having the time of their lives. It does get loud, but again, it just doesn't matter much ..... this place pulls off the mix of everything perfectly - casual but elegant and lovely but hot.
P.S. If you are ever in Portland, check out The Alameda Cafe - I would parallel it to BAC. http://www.yelp.com/bi...Listed in: ZZZZzzzzzzz
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Review from Carla S.
11/23/2008
Great, tiny, iddy-biddy, restaurant. If you are claustrophobic (I am) you might be wise to get there very early before it fills up. Fortunately that is what we did and all was well. VERY WELL!!!
I had the special which was filet topped with a couple of jumbo shrimp and served with garlic mash potatoes. Delicious.
The best thing here though by far the double chocolate creme brulee. Wow. I cannot stop thinking about it. It was heavenly.
I'd like to go back and try all the desserts because they sound incredible.
I am certain I'll come back here often.Listed in: Don't Mind If I Do
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Review from Jessica S.
Austin, TX
3/21/2008
I sat and looked around Beunos Aires Cafe, I thought to myself, "THIS is why I love Austin."
It's a small little place. It's crowded. It's wonderful. The ambiance is so cute. Black and white tablecloths. Couples, singles, large tables.
I always appreciate other wine-fans. Asked the server for a suggestion on the wine--he emphatically told us which of the two was better. It was tasty.
He told us of the specials, and my mouth watered. I had salmon with a crab fondue on top, served with a shrimp and crab crepe, topped with a parmesan jumbo shrimp. Perfectly-done asparagus on the side. It was fabulous. All of the specials sounded great.
Funky plates--another thing I like. My plate was a big rectangle. And proportions are very healthy-sized. I had no problem eating my entire meal.
Oh. And the dessert?! A chocolate-pasilla pepper creme brulee. Awwweesome! For real.
Although it was crowded (the entire time we were there), we were seated right away. BAC is now a new gem for me in the treasure that is South 1st/Oltorlf. -
Review from Ryan S.
4/4/2008
Cozy. Can seem a bit loud if it's packed and there's a noisy table nearby. But there are outside seats if you're so inclined.
I think I'll bring any date I think I'm going to have a good time with here, because let's face it, they've got some foreign sounding stuff on the menu, wine, and it's good food to boot. That, plus whatever bumbling lines from the 1970's i manage to spout, will have aphrodesiacal powers upon her that can not be stopped.
Now to find that date...Listed in: Whines about wines
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Review from Allison P.
Fort Worth, TX
5/18/2008
I just adore the Buenos Aires Cafe. The BF took me there again last night for 'date night'. We got our regular table (table#1), by the front windows. The first time I went, I had the Milanesa a la Napolitana, breaded beef cutlets with ham, mozzarella and marinara sauce. Followed by the Quatro Leches, which is to die for!
However last night, trying to be more health conscious, I started with the organic spinach salad, complete with feta cheese, Fuji apples and roasted pecans. And for my entree, I had the Canelones Caseros, herb crepes filled with Portabello mushrooms and eggplant.
The service is top notch, and they offer a pretty decent wine menu. The Malbec I paired with my entree last night was the cherry on top of a perfect meal.Listed in: The Date List
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Review from Paige M.
Houston, TX
12/6/2006 ROTD 1/26/2007
You could go for the gorgeous pastries, the intimate atmosphere, the unspeakably precious crustless sandwiches that my Argentinian friend raved over, saying they made her feel like she was back home, but me? I keep returning for the soup.
They make one a day, and it might be carrot ginger or curried sweet potato, you don't really have a variety but what you do have is the best soup you could possibly wish for and a lot of it.
Paired with an empanada (made in the traditional style with ground meat and raisins) it's a delectable, affordable treat in an otherwise moderately pricey cafe.
If you go during peak hours, expect the tiny place to be overwhelmed as its business has already burst past its seating capacity. The waiters aren't the quickest but they really do have lovely accents, which makes up for a lot. Order an espresso or a bottle of wine, sit on the veranda and imagine that the universe really has combined Argentina and Austin, Tx, just for you. -
Review from Quani C.
4/14/2007
After driving around and perusing several lunch options, my lunch buddy and I finally decided to check this place out. Again, I didn't get much of a chance to inspect the inside seating area, it was a gorgeous day and we chose to sit outside on the patio. The patio is somewhat enclosed (you know, with those clear tarp thingies), but it allows for the breeze to blow through a little bit anyway...in a good way. It's also really well shaded.
We were attended to promptly, the waitress was very knowledgable about the menu and friendly. The food options are amazing. I'm really curious about the empanadas, which are stuffed with all sorts of meats and veggies. I'm so used to the fruit filled kind!
After looking at the menu for a few minutes, I decided on a pretty basic ham sandwich with a (don't remember what the exact name is) mayonaise side salad. They were out of the salad, so I opted for a spinach salad instead. My friend got a portabello sandwich (the special of the day). My sandwich was fabulous...my favorite part was the bread, though. I guess I'm just a carb whore that way. As I'm discovering the more I eat sandwiches, I seem to consistently have a bread-to-insides ratio problem. Although the bread was really, really tasty, the ham, cheese, and veggies overflowed the edges. I had to nibble around the sides. My salad was really fabulous, too. The dressing was a perfect flavor, complementing the spinach, walnuts, and cheese crumbles.
I'd like to visit again and try that other salad. -
Review from Rick G.
Austin, TX
2/25/2009
I ate at Buenos Aires tonight with a friend from Dallas on the recommendation of a manager at the pub. What a treat! Last night I ate mostly cheese while drinking wine, and during the day I just had 2 breakfast tacos, so I was really hungry. I ordered a Chef's special, which was a beef tenderloin (medium rare) with mashed Yukon gold potatoes, 2 large shrimp, and green beans with almonds. It was the perfect amount of food, and every bite was wonderful. My dinner companion had Canelones Caseros, and she said they were wonderful. I drank a glass of 2002 Malbec that was great, and my companion had a glass of a different Malbec.
For dessert we shared a dark chocolate creme brulee that was too good for words. The waitress came over and said I looked really familiar to her and we worked out who we knew in common. I really like it when I know someone working in a bar or restaurant; the food and atmosphere were great there, and knowing one of the people only made it better.
This is definitely a place I'll be frequenting more often.
Advice: don't sit with your line-of-site directed at the glass-front cooler holding the desserts or you'll be distracted during your entree thinking about which dessert to order. -
Review from Tee D.
Updated - 1/16/2009
Our main entrees last night were good; the bf got the nightly special - a seafood plate with salmon, shrimp, mussels, and some capellini pasta. His dish was superb. The salmon was buttery, soft, and literally melted in my mouth. I ordered the chicken, again, because well, nothing else seemed very appealing to me. It was nothing special. The meat was slightly dry, but the sauce served with the chicken was flavorful and well balanced.
The biggest disappointment last night was the flan. I may be crossing the line here, but it was the worst flan I've ever had in my life. The. Worst. Ever. EVER. It was dry, rubbery, and bland. My spoon bounced back when I tried to scoop out a chunk of flan. That flan didn't want to be eaten - and maybe it shouldn't have been.
The service here is definitely sketchy. The server was a bit absent minded, and he managed to grace us with his presence a couple of times. Thanks dude!Listed in: Where I go to get my yum yum…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/24/2008
when i think back to the night we ate at buenos aires cafe, a "yummy yummy" chant instantly pops… Read more »
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Review from Nick M.
Austin, TX
1/17/2008
So, people drink Yerba Mate... and enjoy it? Ew.
Weird tobacco/coffee/tea/herb concoctions aside, the food is delicious.
The cozy interior fits in well on our not-yet-trendified-into-oblivion stretch of south first street.
Entrees are cheap and wonderful, lunch is a steal.Listed in: South First Street
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Review from Tatjana V.
Galway, NY
7/18/2008
South American cuisine is a rare treat in Austin. Until this evening, all of the alleged Argentine cuisine (not much to choose from) has been mediocre at best. Buenos Aires, located at the busy intersection of South First St. and Oltorf, is an uncomplicated, little restaurant with maybe 10 tables inside. Make sure to car pool because there isn't much parking. Most of what they normally have is being resurfaced at the moment.
The menu is also uncomplicated: Salads, Empanadas, Entrees, Chef Specials and Desserts. The wine menu is uncomplicated. The prices are mainly uncomplicated. The staff is professional and will tell you if the wine is "Meh". Today we both had specials: shrimp and mussels with asparagus and roma tomatoes over capellini as well as beef tenderloin accented with Chimichurri, chive mashed potato and green beans. To start we had the verdura and tuna empanadas. The verdura is spinach, ricotta, parmesan and onions and was a predictably wonderful texture. The tuna, with red peppers, olives and onions was interesting but not my favourite. The salads looked ample, but I didn't think I would have room.
My meal was unbelievable: a dozen mussels and 3 large, perfectly cooked shrimp. The asparagus was crispy and the capellini were al dente. It was an amazing combination. I ate every bite. I then was forced to ask for a little bread to sop up the precious sauce at the bottom. No kidding. My husband ate his tenderloin. It was, evidently excellent, but he was too busy chewing blissfully to give me any description. I think you might have to try it for yourself. I can tell you that the chive mashers were surprising in their herby glory. Vegetarians and "pescatarians" generally won't have trouble being satisfied.
I had to skip dessert because I was so full. We will have to return for that treat.
I recommend getting there around six if you don't want to wait. There is limited room for groups, but if you can brave the Texas heat in the summer, sit outside. -
Review from Nick S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/15/2009
I've come to write about the beef tenderloin sandwich. More specifically, the price of the beef tenderloin sandwich. Sure, it's a really great sandwich. Hell, if I could eat it every day without taking out a second mortgage, I would. But THIRTEEN DOLLARS? FOR A STEAK SANDWICH ON A LUNCH MENU???
As Seth Myers and Amy Poehler would say: REALLY? You're going to charge twelve dollars for a steak sandwich, really? The sandwich consists of bread and beef. We all know how much bread costs, so you really want us to believe that a 6 oz. (yes folks, 6 ounce) cut of tenderloin would be worth 13 dollars on its own? Really?!? And hey, do you want tomato on that? That'll be an extra 50 cents.
I understand that running a restaurant requires a ton of overhead, but there is absolutely no justifying charging thirteen dollars for this sandwich.Comment from Reina M. of Buenos Aires Café 9/16/2009
Our lomito beef sandwich is the most expensive item on the… More » -
Review from julie p.
8/7/2009
Holy christ on rubber crutches.. this place puts my mom's Argentinian cooking to shame on so many levels.
A last minute decision for my beau's b-day I chose to come here. Thank my lucky stars I did cause this place was full of win. Immediate service as soon as we walked in and no waiting even with a semi full house. I like that the restaurant dining space is on a small scale cause it gives a more intimate and charming feel. Food was out in no time.
I teared up as I ate their gnnochi's and empanadas since I felt like I was making such a betrayal.. but it tasted so bittersweet. Forgive me mommy, but now that I'm far from home this is where I will go get my 'fix'. Not only did they have 5 different types of empanadas but they also had sweet potato gnnochi all reasonable priced. &@#$!
P.S. Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee with Mate was to murder and maim for. ;)Listed in: Why I luv Austin ^_^
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Review from thomas d.
Austin, TX
7/21/2008
This place is one of the best restaurants in Austin, not because it's "Austin-y"....but because it's everything a restaurant should be.
The atmosphere inside is perfect....very dim and cozy....not a lot of seating, but a handful of tables filled with people that are really happy to be eating there.
The food selection is interesting, but not too exotic. That's not a bad thing though, because all the dishes still have a very unique taste. It's very, very hard to compare the flavors you get at BA to other restaurants. Other places just don't quite match the level of flavor you get at BA Cafe.
And don't skip the pastries! -
Review from Erika S.
Austin, TX
5/16/2008
I love having guests because then I get to go to all the places I've been lusting after on yelp.
We were super impressed by how the lone waitress handled the whole room. Definitely makes it a little bit of a slower lunch spot, but we thought it was worth it. The tostada (thin ham & cheese sandwich) and dessert (black and white berry tart) were kinda disappointing. But, the portobella and choripan sandwiches were amazing, as well as the spinach salad and fries that can come as sides. I also really enjoyed the empanadas. The part that really made it for my lunch dates was the espresso. Having lunch dates that share while listening to the Amelie soundtrack made the experience for me. -
Review from Anna F.
Austin, TX
1/21/2008
Buenos Aires is a fantastic, cozy spot for consistently great dishes that reminds me of your favorite neighborhood spot to take a date in a place like Seattle or Brooklyn...in a good way. Food, wine and service are all a solid 4, but I'll upgrade them to a 4.5 for being in walking distance from my house.
The first time I ever tried this place it was under such unassuming circumstances, it's laughable. I was at a going-away happy hour at the (great in its own right) dive bar next door, G&S Lounge. After a couple of whiskeys and no dinner I was kinda starved/tipsy, so a girl friend and I snuck out to get some food. I was super impressed by what I discovered and have been back half a dozen times since.
From the outside, Buenos Aires Cafe looks similar to many of the shabby, cozy spots up and down S 1st/Oltorf. That's where the similarities end. The food and carefully edited wine list are on par with some much schmancier, more expensive digs on SoCo and downtown. Try a Malbec, empanadas, and the gnocchi (it's an almost spiritual experience). My ex swears by the pork tenderloin as well. Oooh, and they put hearts of palm and a sparing amount of dressing on the salad. Points!
The space squeezes in as many tables as possible, so weather permitting I recommend the patio. I've only been for dinner, but with the exception of sometimes having to wait a bit for a table/slightly slow service (they're busy), have always walked out totally satisfied. A bottle of nice vino plus a fantastic dinner for two runs ~$75. -
Review from Monica O.
9/9/2007
This would be 3 stars if it weren't for the odd-almost-undetectable sense of 'humor' the guy running the place had the day a friend and I went in for lunch. She had just come back from a few months in Spain, so as you can expect we had loads to catch up on. 'Hurry up!' 'I'll have to hit you' and 'thats to guarantee my tip' after tossing us a chocolate dessert biscuit were comments we had to decipher all through lunch. I speak sarcasm, but even that can't be played the entirety of a conversation without utter confusion - something you don't want when taking an order, confirming questions about our food, etc.
Erin, I agree with your Sean Penn's Ridgemont High comparison; this guy seemed to not give a flying rat's ass. Disappointing for a place that imports their wine from Argentina and creates delicious desserts. Their empanadas were tasty, sandwiches were good. I'm on the fence about returning to give that guy a second chance... be straightforward with him. Any of your jokes may spur a wrath you may not be prepared to handle. -
Review from Natalie D.
Austin, TX
7/16/2007
I had been sooooo excited to try this place. I had only heard about it here on Yelp and was really looking forward to it. However...
First, I went to try it a few weeks ago on a Monday. Both the info on the Yelp page here above and the info on the Buenos Aires Cafe webpage say that is is open on Mondays. We get there (this is like 6 or 7pm) and it is most definitely not open. In fact, the hours on the door make it seem like it is only open for lunch on Monday. Or maybe it was just a weird day for them. Either way, I was bummed.
Second try: my uncle was in town and for dinner asked "what restaurant have you been wanting to try?" I thought of this one. We showed up around 6pm and they were open! Yay!
First of all, this place is SMALL. Like 10 tables inside. There are tables outside but I wasn't sure if that was for waiting or for actually eating (no one was using them).
We started with empanadas. Delicious!! I should have just made a meal of them. Instead, I ordered the shepard's pie like entree. Bleh. Not so good. I pushed back my mashed potatoes to see the innards and was met with meat and veggies soaking in grease. Or meat juice. Or something liquidy. Ew. Then I find a hardboiled egg under my mashed potatoes. What? Is that typically in shepard's pie? I didn't remember seeing it mentioned on the menu and as it happens to be, hardboiled eggs are one thing that I REALLY don't like. I try to eat around it and the food is so hot (better than luke warm, I suppose) that I burn my mouth. I know it happens, but it wasn't making this any better for me.
My uncle, on the flip side, LOVED his pork. (I was debating between ordering that and the shepards pie -- obviously I chose poorly.) I didn't try it but it looked good.
There was also a weird misunderstanding with ordering wine that I thought would have been easy to fix but was basically glazed over so that kind of annoyed me (bringing out glasses of wine when a bottle was ordered).
All in all though, I did like the place, just not what I ordered (except the empanadas -- they are stellar). I'll go back sometime and try something else. Maybe the pork. Or maybe just a plate full of empanadas. -
Review from Dean K.
Austin, TX
1/11/2009
It's rare that I am in the dark about a hot new Austin restaurant, but that was exactly the case when it came to Buenos Aires Cafe. I first got a tip about 2 weeks ago from a colleague to try it out. We decided to make our maiden visit there with some neighbors who we wanted to get to know better. What better way to try out a new restaurant than with new friends right?
Our worries about the small size of the restaurant and lack of reservations, were well warranted. We showed up on a whim at 7:30 and were told there was going to be a healthy wait so we left our mobile number with the hostess (she wrote it on her hand) and proceeded to the Green Muse around the corner, for what we hoped was a single pre-dinner drink and some good convo. Well, 1.5 hours of lively conversation later, we got the call and headed back over to the cafe with appetites raging.
In our ravenous state, minutes after being seated, we ordered some salad and the spectrum of empanadas to hold us over til the entrees arrived. They were all delicious! For the entree, I ordered the pork tenderloin. It was wonderful- very tender and flavorful. Just the right portion of meat, mashed potatoes and haricots. The Argentinian wine that the waiter suggested was also spot on. Others in our party ordered the lamb chops (special) and the milanesa- everyone loved their choices. For dessert, we tried a couple of decadent choices for the table (to make up for the fact that the famed quatro leches was sold out): panqueques con dulce de leche, dark chocolate creme brulee. They were both the perfect finisher.
It's worth mentioning that our waiter was superb. I wish I asked his name because it's not often that you encounter a server in Austin that is both skilled and personable and takes the job seriously. He was just awesome and was extremely helpful in making this a memorable dining experience. I hope he appreciated the great tip as much as we appreciated his great work.
So overall, this restaurant was a hit and we will be returning for sure. The food was interesting, flavorful and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere was warm, stylish and friendly and the service was top-notch. We also really enjoyed the company of our neighbors and some great conversation. IMO, a great dining experience should always include great conversation to make it complete. I look forward to many more memorable nights out with them.
Enjoy!
http://www.nineten.net -
Review from Carmen J.
Austin, TX
6/25/2007
I've been to Buenos Aires with a range of fellow diners. No one has been disappointed. Service is friendly, unobtrusive, and helpful regarding wines, specials and desserts. I've had the gnocchi a couple of times and it's delicious. Wine is poured generously if you order by the glass and food portions are perfect if you're the type that always has to deal with a take home box.
If you haven't already, check out the art on the walls while you wait to be seated. Last time I ate there I forgot my favorite souvenir scarf from Spain... went back a couple of days later and the server pulled it right out from under the bar. Definitely a great place if you're looking to avoid Austin's sometimes overcrowded 'boutique' diners. -
Review from Tom S.
Austin, TX
5/2/2007
This small south side restaurant is really wonderful.
The Pollo al horno is marinated over night & has the most awesome flavor. The pork tenderloin is also wonderful; here's how it is described on the menu "Roasted pork tenderloin served with chimichurri sauce, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and fresh haricots vert."
BTW - they seem to always have a couple of specials that tend to be delicious.
It looks like the menu has really been expanded so I really am looking forward to going back. I think that I am going to have to try the mushroom crepes on the next visit.
Prices are reasonable for a great meal. There are different menus for lunch and dinner. The dinner menu has a lot more choices so I definitely would recommend visiting dinner. They are in the process of updating their website - the times currently listed are slightly inaccurate; they are closed monday evenings and they also close down between lunch and dinner during the week.
Another option would be to just stop by and have one of their delicious deserts with some coffee. They have a case full of their desserts that I like to study before picking my dessert.Listed in: My Favorite places to eat
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Review from Jim L.
9/26/2009
Lovely lovely lovely! A real South Austin Gem, Buenos Aires plates up some scrumptious fare that will challenge and inspire. We started with a slit spinach salad, which was a perfect blend of tangy dressing and sour blue cheese. The waitress was happy to let us share a special entree - broiled red snapper, shrimp tamale, and two gulf shrimp and asparagus - all delish! We also tried a couple of the empanadas - one with spinach and cheese, the other with beef. The spicy sauce that accompanied the beef one proved quite the yum fest on the veggie panada as well.
Carb loaders that we are, we went to two desserts - quatros leches cake with a milky caramel sauce. I almost wept, it was so good. The other was a quince tart -- reminiscent of fall in New England, with tropical scents of coconut and a perfect lattice topping. Awesome.
We chose the wrong wine - a rather grapefruity summer savingnon that felt a little "July" for us, but that was our own damn fault.
Add parking right in front and a table in five minutes, and you have yourself a perfect al fresco dinner experience. -
Review from Linda V.
Austin, TX
5/26/2008
Meh. I've been to Buenos Aires (the city) three times, each visit for a week or longer, and although I would say the food at Buenos Aires Cafe is pretty authentic (although the menu needs a lot more meat on it for it to be truly authentic), I'm not blown away by this place.
First off, it's SO overpriced. I was craving alfajores one night, so I came here and damn! One solitary alfajor should really never ever cost that much. Another time I came for dinner with my husband and parents. I don't remember what my dad got, but both my mom and husband got the milanesa dish, and they both said it wasn't very flavorful. Plus it came with the tiniest little ice cream scoop of dry mashed potatoes. I had the gnocchi, and yes, it was really quite good. However, the place is just overpriced for what it's dishing out.
The restaurant is quaint and cozy and the service is always impeccable. And don't get me wrong, I do appreciate that the Austin restaurant scene is diversifying somewhat, but this place is, in my humble opinion, pretty average and pretty overpriced. -
Review from Tiffany L.
Austin, TX
2/26/2010
This place first came to me as a recommendation from a client....and let me say, I too recommend this place now to my friends! I've been here on several occasions and this place has yet to disappoint me. I always seem to get the same waiter, and he is awesome too. He is quick, alert, and respectful.
I love going to places where it's cozy and intimate. Not all the items on the menu have won my heart, but they are definitely worth trying. -
Review from jennifer m.
Austin, TX
9/20/2009
This is my go to place for a good meal. Their empanadas (the picante is a fav!) with chimichurri are fantastic. I generally get a couple to take home for the next day. I prefer their dinner menu to lunch. I was not super impressed by the first lunch I had there but once I tried dinner...I was hooked.
Their portions are modest but quality over quantity and still plenty of food for a good sized man (using my 6'2" husband as a model). He generally hates chicken but loves theirs. I love their spinach salad.
Now, if you order a special, be aware of a significant price difference. Those will generally run about $30. I am not a giant fan of their desserts. I have tried 3-4 of them and rate them blah to yuck. I know some people love the jalepeno/haberno chocolate creme brulee but I felt it was only so so and I have tried it on several occasions.
Kevin is a great server, like an old friend and admittedly one of the smaller restaurants in town but amazing food coming out a little tiny place! -
Review from Stephanie D.
Houston, TX
12/22/2008
This is my favorite place to eat dinner in Austin. I have got a few different meals there, my favorite is an Angus steak that they serve with chimichurri sauce and shrimp. It's a special. The waiter stated that the chef usually cooks it medium rare, which was fine with me. When I got the steak, it was rare. I don't think I've ever had a rare steak. It was wonderful.
Last time I didn't get the chocolate creme brulee, but it is my favorite. It has black pepper or some color pepper in it. I'm not big on sweets, the pepper goes great with the chocolate.
And.... last time I went they had a sign up that said it's opening a second location downtown. -
Review from Shaun K.
Austin, TX
4/11/2010
Good comfort food. Really nice atmosphere.
I've heard good things about this place, and they were right. It's really cozy, only serve about 25 people. Very compact menu; our waiter said everything on the menu is good, and he was right about empanadas, some herb filled crepes, beef cutlets, and tres leches (they call it quatro leches, but I'll call it how I want. I couldn't find the other leche anyways).
I'll definitely come back. The only reason I'm giving out 4 stars is that I'm still looking for some mind blasting place.. that'sright,mindblasting.. -
Review from Brian S.
7/24/2007
I'd never been to an Argentine restaurant before, and this place was awesome. The menu is pretty similar to that of an Italian restaurant, with some twists.
It was kind of surprising how small the restaurant was, but it wasn't a problem and we found a seat fine. The service was great, the food excellent and different, and the three Argentine (I think, based on their pronunciation of 'll') women dining next to us help create a true setting of being deep in the European-like city of South America. (Disclamier: I've never been to Buenos Aires, the city)
Buenos Aires is a bit expensive to go dine at every week for me, but if I feel like something nicer, it's definitely on the return-to list. -
Review from Tracy B.
9/6/2008
My friend who is from Argentina took me here for lunch the other day and I can't wait to return! I knew little of Argentinian food and was surprised to see such cosmopolitan influences such as French, Italian and of course Spanish.
I had empanadas too die for! The Spicy beef and roasted chicken were fantastic and seasoned to perfection. The chef/owner came to say hello and was very sweet. She is trained as a pastry chef which explains why the crust of the empanada was so fabulous. My friend had the milanese sandwich which consisted of thin cutlets of breaded and fried beef layered with lettuce and tomato on freshly baked french baguette. Served with a side of fries it was super tasty!
The atmosphere transports me to what I would expect and Argentinian cafe to be like. I cannot wait to try dinner there. -
Review from Kristi W.
Austin, TX
3/15/2007
This place is so cute. Go for dinner but be prepared to wait for a table since the dining room is very small. There is a small outside eating area as well but the inside is where you want to be. You'll be suprised by the white table cloth dressing up the table at dinnertime especially if you've ever been during lunch - different experience.
My father in law who is from Argentina turned me on to this restaurant (and he's from Dallas so you know word travels). Dinner was fantastic. Try the empanadas. There is a dish similar to milanesa that is really good. I had some sort of crepe dish that was very tastey and so different. Nice wine selection. The owner is on site and she's very friendly. Great desserts. They also have a pastry cabinet with authentic Argentine desserts.
It's next to the G&S Lounge. -
Review from M B.
Austin, TX
11/16/2008
Buenos Aires Cafe is one of those unassuming, cozy, terrific little places where small groups of regulars get together to talk, laugh, and linger over great food. It's the perfect antidote to the plethora of over-designed, noisy, Dallaseque, pointlessly expensive, trendy-menu-by-marketing-committee restaurants (think - The Domain) that have opened in Austin of late.
Salads are light and flavorful (especially the spinach salad), empanadas are authentic and carry a kick, main dishes are solidly well prepared and reasonably priced ($12-$18 range). The gnocchi quartet and the Argentinian shepherd's pie were standouts. Based on the advice of other Yelpers, we had the dark chocolate creme broulee with for dessert - wonderful.
Great meal - total bill $50 (2 entrees, split large salad, split dessert, one empanada, 2 coffees and glass of wine). Really excellent value for the money. Now... if they would just open another location north of the river....
