I came to 1884 with very high expectations. A close friend had hyped it up as one of Mendoza's…read moremust-try fine-dining experiences -- unlimited bread, incredible food, Francis Mallmann's legacy, the whole story. And yes, the restaurant is visually beautiful. But once the meal actually began, the entire experience fell apart so completely that I left wondering how this place still has a reputation at all.
THE PREPAY REQUIREMENT: A BAD SIGN I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO
Before I even sat down, I was required to prepay for the entire experience upfront. For a restaurant that positions itself as premium fine dining, this immediately felt off -- like they don't trust their own service or quality enough to let the guest pay afterward like every other serious restaurant in the world.
In hindsight, this should have been my warning.
SERVICE: INATTENTIVE, CARELESS, AND DISORGANIZED
The service throughout the night was shockingly mediocre for a restaurant charging this much.
* They removed my bread plate mid-meal without asking, despite supposedly offering unlimited bread.
* When I asked for more, they handed me a tiny leftover scrap, as if the kitchen had run out. Completely unacceptable.
* Courses were dropped without enthusiasm or explanation.
* The pacing was inconsistent, with long gaps at odd times.
* The staff felt disengaged, like they were just going through the motions.
For a restaurant with this price tag, this level of service is embarrassing.
THE FOOD: ONE DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER ANOTHER
Shrimp with Humita -- Disappointing and Poorly Executed
The highly recommended shrimp with humita arrived as two tiny shrimp sitting on what tasted like plain creamed corn. No depth, no balance, nothing resembling fine dining. I didn't finish it because it was genuinely unpleasant.
King Crab Gnocchi -- Good Pasta, Terrible Crab
The gnocchi itself was soft and well made.
The crab, however, was stringy, off-tasting, and filled with scraps from the shell. It completely ruined what could've been a decent dish.
Wagyu Steak -- The Low Point of the Night
This was supposed to be the star -- and it was easily the worst part of the meal.
The Wagyu looked unappetizing, was overly salty, lacked tenderness, and tasted nothing like Wagyu should. I've had far better steak at casual chain restaurants. The potato side was bland and forgettable.
Dessert -- The "Best" Part, But Still Not Good
Dessert was fine, but absolutely nothing special. I've had significantly better desserts at everyday cafés across Buenos Aires for a fraction of the price.
THE WINE PAIRING: LAZY, UNDERPOURED, AND MISALIGNED
The wine pairing felt like an afterthought:
* Three white wines in a row, none of which paired particularly well with the dishes.
* Half-pours that felt cheap and stingy.
* Reds and sparkling that were simply "fine" and added nothing to the experience.
Nothing about it enhanced the meal or justified the price.
FINAL VERDICT
This was supposed to be a highlight of my Mendoza trip. Instead, it was one of the most disappointing and overpriced dining experiences I've had anywhere in the world.
* Overhyped food
* Weak service
* A bizarre prepay requirement
* Poor execution
* Underwhelming wine pairing
* Very little value for the money
WOULD I EVER GO BACK?
Absolutely not.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE?
No -- not to anyone. Not for any occasion. Not at any price.
1884 may be a beautiful restaurant, but everything beyond the visuals fell dramatically short. I left frustrated, disappointed, and genuinely confused as to how this place is considered "fine dining."
