With only 3 nights in Buenos Aires and about a million restaurants to choose from, I did a little bit of research ahead of time to ensure we got a seat at at least one gourmet establishment. An article in the NY Times touting the booming food scene in Palermo Viejo (the chic neighborhood we stayed in) featured this write up:
Still, there are great finds in Palermo Viejo, as there are throughout the city, which showcase Argentina’s rich culinary history and its bounty, which stretches from the ocean to the Andes. A handful of these are new restaurants that pay homage to this tradition and draw a crowd less interested in who designed the room than in what’s coming out of the kitchen.
One is Jangada, where locals go for the pacú, a lumbering cousin of the piranha that can grow as large as 60 pounds. Jangada’s serving is the size of a porterhouse. Grilled until crispy, the flesh is firm but flaky, and so succulent that from the first bite you’ll understand how it earned its nickname, el lechón del rió, or suckling pig of the river. Pacú is worshiped in Argentina but a rare sight in Buenos Aires. And it’s certainly not anything you’ll find on a menu in the East Village.
You can see why I HAD to go there. Of course, we ordered the Pacu ... which to me, seemed more greasy than succulent ... but we enjoyed the mild fish flavor which was accompanied by onion rings, fried potato wedges and a tomato for color. All in all, it wasn't the most delicious piece of fish I've ever tried ... but the service was good and where else are you going to get to eat a cousin of piranha?
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