Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires restaurants > Empire Thai
Empire Thai
Tres Sargentos 427 (@ Reconquista); Tel. +(0011.54.11) 4312.5706
Hours: M-F 12pm-1am, Sa 7pm-1am
Price range: $$-$$$
Uniquely charming, fancy and welcoming, Empire Thai is here to satisfy. Photo by Greg Roden
This gay-friendly eatery is located on the cusp of Retiro, Centro, and Puerto Madero and attracts a surprising variety of clientele for lunch, happy hour and dinner. The space itself is worth a trip. Owner Kevin Rodriguez has taken great pride and care creating a fancy but welcoming environment, which is part of the reason he is going so strong after 5 years. The glowing paint colors and impressive light fixtures paired with the modern wicker chairs, dark wood tables, and pulsing trance music create an upscale and entertaining dinner scene.
The kitchen is cleverly hidden downstairs but if you sneak down to the equally hip bathrooms you can take a peak at the hard work behind the flavor and, while the menu can't be called authentic, there are enough options to keep things interesting. Appetizers include homemade coconut milk soups and fusion dishes like the attractive watercress salad with rose petals and range in price from $12-$18AR. The entrees include Pad Thai, pineapple fried rice, and stir fried meat and fish and range from $20-$40AR. Empire's red curry might just be the spiciest dish you sample in Buenos Aires.
The bilingual staff might not let you practice your Spanish even if you want to but if you don't you'll feel right at home with the English speaking tourists and ex-pats that find their way here.
—Empire Thai review by Clare Nisbet
