Well... I just returned from Argentina from a 10 day expedition to experience the country that everyone seems to be talking about. The wines, the people, the club scenes, the restaurants... it's all true!!! Buenos Aires is truly an amazing place, with a countless things to see and do. After returning back home, I got together with a group of friends to share with them my experiences and the Malbecs I was daring enough to smuggle out of the country. One of my friends mentioned that there was an Argentine restaurant in town that he always loved to go to. I thought he went one of the Gaucho chains, and immedietly discarded his comment, but then he mentioned that the restaurant was named after a tango singer, and I realized we weren't talking about the same place. I was intruiged and decided that on my next night out I would check the place out. It turned out to be Carlitos Gardel restaurant on Melrose Ave! The ambiance was just like that of Buenos Aires, which was a wonderful surprise. I expected to run into the usual ""LA"" vibe. But the part that delighted my friends and I most was the food. From our appetizers to the steaks that arrived at our table, the dinner was outstanding and impressive. The steaks most of all had nothing to envy the best ones I had in Buenos Aires, and the wines that were paired with our dinner were more than impressive, some of which I do remember drinking in Argentina. For dessert we were offered some unique cakes and tarts created by the owner herself. They also were delicious and with enough dulce de leche to satisfy just about any Argentinian I'm sure. Overall I highly recommend this place for anyone interested in Argentina and it's food.
Pros: Ambiance, Steaks, Winelist
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