Buenos Aires. Friday, February 1 — Steak dinner at La Brigada

Tonight we had dinner at a very traditional Argentine steak house, La Brigada.  Yes, it was a little touristy.  But it also had old world service and delicious beef.  We started with a bottle of Malbec from Mendoza.  In this case, we went with a more premium wine (ended up being about ½ the cost of our dinner!).  Not sure if it was worth the money until we learn taste some more Malbecs.  Good excuse!

Our appetizer course was a ham and cheese empanada and roasted red peppers over provoleta (melted provolone).    Thanks to Todd for recommending the provoleta!  We wouldn’t have thought to put the peppers on the cheese but it was delicious! 

Two cuts of steak — one was “tip of sirloin” and the other I can’t remember.  Was the steak good?  Yes.  Was it great?  Not so much.  Was it a good value?  Absolutely!

Per my usual, I forgot to take photos of the desserts until they were half eaten.  

We split chocolate mousse and a lemon & champagne frappe.  Both were delicious.

Tomorrow we’re trying a second beef place.  It will be interesting to compare.

·        MJP up at 8:30. Me at 9:30.  Out by 10:30. She’d had problems getting food. It's not served at pool until 11, which is disappointing service.  Long line at lobby restaurant.  So we had SBUX 2 blocks away at mall I’d wanted to go into the day before.  Was very American. 

·        Noticing, especially at mall, that women & men are dressed nice.  Peer pressure (e.g On Wall Street you wear wool suits, in LA expensive jeans, in PDX dye hair for personal self expression.)  What governs here in BA?  I suspect affluence.

·        On advice of concierge UBER to stop #1 of Hop on Hop off to be assured of getting a seat.

·        Was $30 each/about 2000 pesos.  Feels odd to have stacks of $.  Have to pay cash for ride.  Inflation rate?

·        It's a useful survey trip of the city that lasts till 3:30.   Walk past opera house but decide not interested -- Paris one 3 months earlier.  Hot and humid.  UBER home.

·        Starting to feel frustrated that English is so limited.  Not just UBER but most everywhere else.  We'd gotten used to being understood in French or French speaking English.

·        4pm sitting out at pool.  Have empanadas for snacks.  End up being best empanadas of trip.

·        Back at room it’s still 19.5 C so we have engineering come up. Don’t seem to have a clue.

·        Later, leaving to go out to dinner at La Brigada, we’re in the elevator heading down.  Another couple -- husband looks a bit like Vicente Fox.  Once we leave them MJP comments on how elegant the woman looks with her jewelry and scarf.  Turns out later they’re on our ship and I introduce ourselves to them first day when they’re sitting at “their” table in The Restaurant.  Rose and Bob...

·        Requested UBER had to cancel because it was so late. Having some problems with them.

·        Restaurant was nice and old world..  Waiter guided us on what to order which was fine. Across from us was table of 7 that looked mixed (locals and guests -- reminded us of Diane & Gabby in Ecuador). Ended up outside talking to one of them.  A guy from NJ who’s father worked at Nabisco Fairlawn. This was a family dinner from various US plus BA.  Told him this trip was our bucket list. His was BMW motorcycle across America

·        Another Uber cancelled.  This time by driver!  Luckily our NJ friend could read the message from Uber in Spanish!!! Took cab home.

·        Issues with HVAC continue.  2 calls to front desk manager.  Frustrated email to GM at nearly midnight, despite having been told he was in Brunei,