Puerto Madero

March 16, 2010

Puerto Madero, a waterfront neighborhood along the Rio de la Plata in downtown Buenos Aires, is known for its trendy boardwalk and swank nightlife. We made sure our first visit there was over dinner and drinks.

All of the streets in Puerto Madero are named after women who were involved in political, cultural, or other public activities. The Puente de la Mujer ("Women's Bridge") is a pedestrian, cantilever footbridge (to let boats through) that connects the eastern and western docks and provides the best views:

We made dinner reservations (long in advance, I might add) at Cabana Las Lilas, famous for its grass-fed beef sourced from the owner's estancia (ranch). We feasted on anti pasta, a Mendoza Malbec, steaks, butternut squash, creamed corn, mashed potatoes with almonds, espresso, flan, and cookies.

I went with the petite filet, but TJ opted to go large...

Afterwards, we strolled over to the Faena Hotel + Universe, the first hotel designed by renowned product designer Philip Starck in South America, and had a drink in the opulent Library Lounge (picture from their site). Amazing people watching here...from club goers dressed to the nines, to show girls who've seen better days.

We had the chance to see Puerto Madero again by daylight on our last day in Buenos Aires. They were setting up for a big bicentennial celebration and the tall ships were in town.