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Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires restaurants > La Barrica La BarricaMagallanes 845 (Caminito); Tel. +(011.54.11) 4301.9197
 One of the more popular and authentic eatery/show hangouts for tourists and locals with live music most every day is La Barrica in Boca at Caminito. Photo by Greg Roden La Barrica works the French bistro concept with Argentine enthusiasm. Nestled among the many dining options along this Caminito main street, it proudly proclaims an ethos to, “Prepare typical dishes, keeping to their essence and pouring into this preparation our love for the chosen job – good cooking”. Dedicated chef ‘Che Carlos’ ensures La Barrica sets itself apart from the competition, conjuring up mouth-watering specials amongst other mainstream dishes in this bodega come art gallery location. Sultry tango rhythms from the street mix with stomach-rumbling aromas from the kitchen as La Barrica lures its meal-time trade. Customers sit outside under large white cotton umbrellas watching tango in the street, or at simple inside tables in the small but airy restaurant. The building itself is over 100 years old and retains all the charm and character of its heritage. Painted corrugated iron adorned with jovial oversized figurines maintains the typical La Boca style and walls covered with local artwork add to the laid back, friendly atmosphere. Up a narrow, crooked staircase at the back customers can visit a small, ram-shackle gallery and see the artist at work. A small, jumbled bodega offers a few more seating options to the side. Tables nestle it amongst a delightful assortment of wine bottles and old Argentine maps in this charming tumbledown room. The menu offers a surprisingly up market selection with Patagonian smoked deer $24AR and Lomo Paillard $25AR amonst its starters. Tapas, tortillas and parilla offer a slightly more standard selection (bife de lomo $35AR, bife de chorizo $25AR as a price guide). It is with the separately presented, and rather more pricy, specials menu though that La Barrita shows its true culinary worth. Marinated veal steak with red peppers $45AR, fresh fettucini in squids ink $28AR, and Salmon steak in oyster sauce $55AR are amongst some of ‘Che Carlos’s’ more exotic suggestions. While his selection of home-made mousses – chocolate, lemon or dulce de leche – are recommended for desert. For a cut above the average among the many Caminito offerings La Barrica fits the bill. Have a peek at the visitors book for a further recommendation and read up happy comments from international clientele. —La Barrica review by Tessa Pettman
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