Lunch and a business meeting here yesterday took just over six hours! A group of us had finished a major meeting nearby and were starving. Good thing, because the appetizers started arriving as soon as we sat down. Papas Fritas in the most interesting potato bowl nested on shoestrings got everyone's attention. Started with a beer, not usually what I do in the States, but I was in an Argentinian steakhouse, We are a large party of five so we were seated at a large round table next to an open window that looks out on Hamburgo and Bourdeis. Lots of activity, a few blocks away from Ave de Reforma. So we decided we wanted to try lots on the menu and share it with everyone. Our hosts selected several cuts of meat from the tray that was presented to us, and a lovely piece of tuna, and before you could blnk it was presented still sizzling in the middle of the table garnished with onions and serrano chiles.
The waiter placed a lovely salad with pine nuts, bacon and a vinaigrette dressing on each plate, then quickly sliced the steaks and beef ribs in to serving size pieces. We dug in, and a bottle of Argentinian wine arrived to enjoy with the meal. As the meat disappeared, we began to seriously talk business and strategy, as the restaurant filled up. We kept eating and talking as the dining room thinned out, then emptied, as we started to think about dessert. Another tray arrived, with examples of pastries that were so light and colorful that it was hard to choose. So we didn't. We ordered one of every thing on the tray, Flan, Crepes, and Phyllo with chocolate, custard and guava slices and a carrot cake that we heavenly. About this time the dining room manager showed up with a trolley of Tequilas, and our education continued. Trying a little sip of each I learned that there are as many versions of Tequila as there are types of Scotch. I selected a Herradura that was absolutely superb and it was poured into a snifter. More talk, a little water, and very good, steady service from our waiter and the manager of the room. About this time, a demonstration appeared down in the street with marchers, escorted by the police passed right in front of the window were we were sitting. Chants, and shouts and signs visible as the parade passed by, expressing the groups opinion about their cause. .and . Democracy!
We couldn't leave in the midst of the march, so this was a great time to learn about the differences between Teqilia and Mescal. Same routine, here comes the tray with three lovely bottles of Mescal, each different and a plate with orange slices and worm salt (that's right) a chile, salt and who knows what concoction that you dip the oranges into, taste them then chase them with a sip of Mescal. We understood the differences after several iterations and by that time the sun was starting to slip from the sky and the clouds were gathering. After fond handshakes and abrazos, we agreed that this was the best business meeting any of us could remember. read more
