A Taste of Buenos Aires

Tucked into a tiny corner of East 6th Street is one of my favorite spots in Austin, Buenos Aires Cafe. With fairly minimal decor and a meat-lover's dream menu, the offerings are right on par with the food I had during my trip to Argentina last year. From steaks and sausages to 4 kinds of homemade gnocchi, the preparation is fantastic.

While I don't have a photo because I was too busy eating them as fast as I could, the empañadas can't be beat. They have an extensive wine and cocktail menu as well, including some great white and red wine from the Torrontes region of Argentina that produces some of the best malbecs out there. The lunch menu has some fantastic parilla (on the grill) options and quickly prepared sandwiches, so don't feel like you need to wait for date night to try them out.

For those who live south, Buenos Aires also has a Galleria location, but I think the original spot is well worth the drive. This quaint restaurant also offers a set menu during some holidays, so if you'd rather not cook or are looking for New Year's Eve plans, their set menu can be pretty fantastic.