Mendoza, Argentina

The city of Mendoza is not all that fabulous during the day. At night, Avenue Arístides comes alive and the bustle is quite pleasant.  The wine region surrounding Mendoza is gorgeous, and the wine fabulous. Our tour with Mendoza Wine Camp was fantastic!

RESTAURANTS

• Don Claudio - "Think of the lomo as Mendoza’s answer to the Philly cheesesteak — a grilled sirloin sandwich with melted cheese, fried egg and mayo. At this old-school city institution, the dish is served in a bright, canteen-like space, with large bottles of ice-cold Quilmes, the country’s favorite beer."
• Anna Bistro - "This hip lounge-restaurant, opened by two French brothers, serves small plates like salmon empanadas and local wines. It has many tables inside, but if you are dining on a summer evening, their pretty, leafy garden or under the vines on the patio is the best spot for a meal or a cocktail. Food is well-presented and flavorful including meat and fish dishes as well as big, healthy salads (which should be taken advantage of – these are rare in the land of the steak). There is a quality wine list but the cocktails are not to be missed. Stylish classic cocktails come in lots of colorful combinations, but the most popular is the Mojito."
• Ituzaingo - In South America, this is what they call a 'closed door dining experience' (dinner in someone's home).  Located in a "lofty home that doubles up as Ituzaingo Restó, the living room and green back patio are designated dining areas, where musicians gently ply their wares in summer. There’s no better welcome than that from a hanging cava, which is swiftly followed up a glass of wine and appetizers from friendly staff. Although the eight-course paired tasting menu covers the spectrum of Argentine cuisine, Ituzaingo also injects criolla, gourmet, fusion and molecular techniques to its dishes."

After your (10pm) dinner, stroll down Avenue Aristides and stop at any of the bustling cafes for a cocktail. (El Palenque, PH Bar, etc.)