I've revisited Bio on probably every visit to BsAs since 2009. The food is definitely tasty, healthy, and creative, and really a necessary change of pace from all of the meat/carne.
This last visit, I ordered the Bahiana Mushroom (Honogos a la bahiana), which has fresh and dried perfectly sauteed mushrooms in a delicious yet light coconut milk brown sauce with brown rice and large leaves of salad on the side. I skipped the chiles this time. I'd give this dish 4 stars, but note that the price is very expensive at $198 AR pesos (roughly US $20). The first try the rice was very dry, but upon request, the kitchen quickly replaced the rice and did it right. Kudos to the kitchen for correcting a problem, which is sadly, usually a difficult feat in Buenos Aires. The whole wheat bread with live sunflower seed spread was also good. The portion was large enough for me to eat about 2/3 and bring home the rest, but I'd prefer a smaller portion at a lower price if given the option.
Now the service. I think the young woman waitress was among the worst I have had in awhile, even in Buenos Aires, which although I love the people (and am married to an Argentine and fluent in Argentine spanish), I think has tremendous room for improvement on every level of service. I came in for a really early dinner, so the place was basically empty until the end of my meal. I was on vacation and in no rush, so I enjoyed being able to take my time, but this turned into a 2 hour meal because she just had no interest in attending the table. She was on her phone at least half the time, texting, etc. When I walked in she kept telling me she'd be right there, then went to her station, shoved a few handfuls of food in her mouth, and then came over after cleaning the one table that just left. She then later cut the bread, and I don't know if she washed her hands after eating or using her phone. But more than that it's the attitude - be forewarned this is not your california-hippie-sunshine kind of vibe from the waitress. For example, the only time she attempted to be nice or engage was a fake smile only when bringing the check. The eye rolling when I ask for change for the $50 AR peso (so I can give HER A TIP). I think she knew I was American and was baiting me to leave the $50 AR for a 20% tip instead of giving me change for a 10% Argentine tip. No thank you at any point for the cash, tip, or when leaving. I've had better service at a pancake house in the middle of nowhere. To try to end with a positive, she did at least take the initiative to tell me that I was right that the rice was very dry when she came to check it out, didn't give me a problem to get new rice, and checked that it was better the second time around. I was encouraged when an older woman waitress/manager came in later in the shift, you could tell instantly that she had more of the Argentine motherly charm that warmed the place right up.
The cost: I put a premium on being able to eat healthy organic food, but this is very expensive even by NY standards. Here's my bill: $15 AR peso cover charge (about US $1.50) which I guess covers the bread, a $30 AR peso tea kettle (about US $3), and the whopping $198 AR pesos for the mushroom plate = $243 AR pesos. Plus 10% service tip = $25 AR pesos = $268 AR pesos. Really up there if you ask me.
Air quality: For a supposedly health-conscious place, do they not get that commercial bathroom sprays are not only horrible smelling but like cancer in a bottle? After the waitress used the bathroom and the very harsh chemical spray in the bathroom, I decided to move tables to avoid being bombarded by the horrible chemical smell. Plus if you sit near a window and anyone is smoking at the outdoor tables, it comes right into to the whole restaurant.
Alternatives: check out Buenos Aires Verde a few blocks down on Gorriti between Bonpland and Fitz Roy. read more