Photo taken using Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Located in Puerto Madero, Cabaña Las Lilas is widely considered the best parrilla in Buenos Aires. The main reason is because of their beef which they raise themselves; it is considered the best. However, I’ll have to admit that I wasn’t impressed. Argentinian beef is amazing either way you look at it and so unless these folks at Cabaña Las Lilas are doing something different with their beef (like feeding, bathing, and massaging their cows in a combination of red wine & chimichurri or something far-fetched like that) I can’t really justify paying such a higher premium for theirs.
If you watch as much Travel Channel or Food Network as I do, then you’ll probably have seen visits made to this restaurant. In both instances the “baby beef” was the steak of choice. I decided I needed to try it too. Well, without going into any detail, I’ll just say that it was not worth the 74 pesos; remember that’s just for the steak. Also, remember, I paid $83 pesos for a dinner for two at Don Julio. In addition, where a typical empanada might cost you anywhere between 3-7 pesos, the special “empanada lilas” will set you back 22 pesos. Want another example? A chorizo typically is 7 pesos but their “chorizos bombon” is 19 pesos. Bombon meaning that you get two little, very oily, a little bigger than a cocktail weiny-type of chorizo. Once again, not worth it. Do I sound like I’m bitter after this dining experience? Maybe but that’s after spending 280 pesos for 3 people (that’s only for 2 steaks too because I shared the baby beef along with the other stuff).
One of my local friends agreed with me that the place is over-rated. This friend has never eaten there because the prices are considered expensive by locals and you can honestly get a very good piece of meat somewhere else for a third of the cost. Needless to say the next time I visit Argentina I will not be eating there again. In my opinion it has tourist trap written all over it. It’s mentioned in practically every travel guide I’ve seen in Borders but the true indicator is that Rachael Ray did a segment there. I’m one of those who believes that if Rachael Ray went there then I won’t go there. Sorry Rachael, but I would still be down to see you naked… minus a few pounds, though.
