In times of rampant stress – a scourge of the times that is especially harsh on the inhabitants of large cities – the natural countryside landscape emerges as a good remedy to find serenity and recover energy.
In the midst of this restorative atmosphere, the restaurants and simple eateries scattered in rural towns provide the irresistible attraction of the Creole flavorssupported by popular wisdom and, in some cases, ancient recipes passed down from generation to generation.
This report brings together nine country restaurants to organize a getaway to the first range of the humid pampas extended in the province of Buenos Aires.
1) The Carpinteria, Abbott
It began operating in 2018, in this rural town in the San Miguel del Monte district and is known for its homemade dishes.
This restaurant with tasty dishes and very good service has its origins in a project shared between an agronomist, a lawyer and a carpenter.
In addition, they recently added a tea house, Amarte y Café, one block from La Carpintería.
- How much does it cost. Lamb with grilled vegetables, $13,000; saffron sorrentinos, $17,200; Chernia, $10,500; lasagna, $10,500; ocobuco, $12,000.
- Where to get information. (152) 3226210 / Facebook: Abbott’s Carpentry.
2) Don Pascual, The Invincible
La Invencible is a place in the Salto district that is on the way to Rojas through Acceso Oeste and routes 7 and 31.
With a bet on local gastronomy and the flavors of the countryside, Susana Cantelmi and her daughter Sandra welcome diners with cold cuts, pastas, empanadas and meats baked in a clay oven.
Don Pascual country restaurant, in La Invencible, Salto district.- How much does it cost. Entry of bondiola, cheese and meat empanada and free pasta (vegetable and chicken ravioli or sorrentinos with sauce and stewed meat), $7,500.
- Where to get information. (02474) 15674051 / (02474) 15561680 / trlainvencible@hotmail.com
3) The Owl, Navarro
La Lechuza is known in the world of country restaurants for having been one of the first to open its doors to the public in the province of Buenos Aires.
With a “fork free” system, it is more than 30 years old and continues its tradition of offering abundant and tasty dishes.
With free fork, the La Lechuza country restaurant, in Navarro.- How much does it cost. Free fork that includes minced meat, empanadas, clay oven chicken with potatoes and sweet potatoes, homemade stir-fry, dessert (flan, rice pudding or cheese and sweets and snack with dancing; also free drink tap: $18,000 per person; the boys from 5 to 11 years, $7,000.
- Where to get information. (02227) 15411397 / (02227) 15462697 / lalechuzanavarro@hotmail.com / Facebook: La Lechuza de Navarro.
4) Aromas of the Country, Villa Espil
The family atmosphere is perceived from the first moment – when visitors are received as locals by the owners – and becomes more noticeable once the guests arrive at the table. “grandma’s” homemade pasta (ham and cheese sorrentinos with soufflé dough with bolognese or pink sauce).
Fried meat empanadas, one of the specialties of the Aromas de Campo restaurant, in Villa Espil.Other strong points are the roast, the homemade cold cuts board and the fried meat empanadas.
- How much does it cost. Cold cuts, empanada, grill and free homemade pasta, non-alcoholic drink and dessert, $13,000; from 5 to 11 years, $6,000.
- Where to get information. (02325) 15410175 / (02325) 15659444 / jracosty@hotmail.com / Facebook: Aromas de Campo.
5) Chorikeen, Carlos Keen
A pleasant surprise, in the midst of the food and craft stalls and the fair of local producers installed on the platform of the former Carlos Keen stationin the Luján party.
At Chorikeen, the standouts include the cross roast, the choripán and the roast meat sandwiches (the vacuum, bondiola and chorizo are exquisite), among other specialties.
Chorikeen, in the middle of the old railway station fair.- How much does it cost. Vacuum or bondiola sandwich, $6,000 (complete, $6,500); choripan, $3,000 (complete, $3,500); French fries, $3,000; non-alcoholic drink, $3,000 large and $1,500 small.
- Where to get information. (02323) 15579188 / (02323) 15641333 / conilloga@hotmail.com
6) La Porteña, Azcuénaga
In this rural town in the San Andrés de Giles district, which is beginning to position itself as a gastronomic hub, La Porteña has several popular specialties, from empanadas to disc bondiola and pasta.
A family house open to the public, in Azcuénaga.For those who want to walk around for a while: there is a mural in front of the old train station, as well as the square and the chapel.
Worth a tour too of the historic Casa Terrén warehouse and dining room.
- How much does it cost. Empanadas, marinade, pasta or bondiola on the disc, French fries, fried egg and dessert, $11,000; the same menu plus a plate of cold cuts, $13,000.
- Where to get information. (02325) 15424334 / (02325) 491-019 / la.portena@gmail.com / Facebook: “La Porteña” Restaurant.
7) Campos de Giles, San Andrés de Giles
The most tempting thing on the Campos de Giles menu is the green bondiola with potatoes and sweet potatoes, prepared in a clay oven.
The Campos de Giles restaurant has children’s games.Other specialties to take into account are the barbecue, homemade ravioli, noodles and chicken with vegetables. The restaurant also has children’s games.
- How much does it cost. Appetizer of cold cuts, empanada, homemade pasta, barbecue, fries, salad and dessert, $12,000; from 6 to 12 years, 50%.
- Where to get information. (02325) 15457704 / (02325) 15436876 / (02325) 15563364 / Facebook: Campos de Giles.
8) El Retoño, Uribelarrea
In the famous rural town of Uribelarrea, this restaurant and tea house is distinguished by its “Brunch of the house”: roasted bondiola with chutney or confit tomato from the house’s garden, pickled eggplant, meat empanada, bruschetta with raw ham, arugula and pears and tarts with vegetables.
The brunch at El Retoño, in Uribelarrea, is not to be missed.Its dining room is located in the large living room of the rural property, where you can also taste natural juices, cold teas and snacks.
- How much does it cost. Knife-cut meat empanada, $3,300; potato omelette, $6,700; provoleta, $5,300; noodles, $6,500; braised bondiola, $7,800; cake, $3,700.
- Where to get information. (155) 3169720 / (156) 3509026 / elretono.uribelarrea@gmail.com
9) Don Cipriano, Cañuelas
It’s in the gastronomic corridor of route 205 and offers roast: suckling pig, roast, vacuum, chorizo, blood sausage.
Also country bread, pickles and empanadas cut with a knife, among other things. .
Don Cipriano country restaurant, in Cañuelas.How much does it cost. Barbecue, homemade pasta and free side dishes, country pie cut with a knife and homemade bread with pickles, $11,000; up to 10 years, $6,000; homemade dessert (flan or bread pudding), $2,100.
Where to get information. Restaurant: (153) 6579939 / barbacoa.doncipriano@gmail.com / Facebook: Parrilla Don Cipriano. Paratrike flights: (156) 0920495