Page 287 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  285

Softly lit outdoor dining terrace at Anna Bistro, Mendoza
Children
North America. Lunchtime country, so most restaurants
dining is cheaper, as most Argentinians, as a rule, adore will have fresh squash, salad,
restaurants offer a midday fixed- children and, much to the potatoes, and other roots.
price menu encompassing three chagrin of couples and peace- Fruit is abundant and cheap.
courses plus a beverage. By loving singles, restaurants will
comparison, à la carte dining in happily accommodate families
the evening is more expensive. with noisy infants. Big parrillas Smoking
Prices on menus do not usually and upscale restaurants will Following a nationwide ban in
show the obligatory 21 percent have high chairs, but there is 2011, smoking is prohibited in
Impuesto de Valor Agregado or rarely room for maneuvering any enclosed public space.
IVA (value-added tax or VAT). strollers. Child portions are
In addition, many restaurants usually available, or visitors can
in Buenos Aires and other tourist ask for a spare plate and dish Recommended
Restaurants
areas charge a cubierto (cover out a portion from their meal.
charge) of AR$10–25 per person. The restaurants listed in this
Service charge is almost never guide have been selected with
included in the bill, and a typical Food Hygiene budget, variety and quality of
tip would be 10 percent of the bill. In well-visited areas of Argentina, cuisine, and setting in mind, and
Some restaurants have a policy, food hygiene and health aim to provide the visitor with
usually noted on the menu, standards are generally good. the best possible choice of
of adding the 10 per cent tip Visitors should drink purified restaurants in an area. Listings
for parties of six or more. water, bottled carbonated water, have been arranged by region,
Credit cards are accepted or gaseosas (soft drinks) if they starting with Buenos Aires.
in most restaurants, with Visa are wary of the water. Bottled Within each particular region,
and MasterCard being the most water is available in kioskos, the entries are defined by
popular, but in far-flung provinces hotels, bars, and service stations. separate themes, including
or villages off the beaten track, it is Avoid salads and uncooked Traditional Argentinian
important to carry cash. Travelers’ vegetables in the smaller towns (embracing indigenous
checks may be accepted in and villages in the subtropical cuisines) and parilla, Modern
big hotels or restaurants. regions and in villages that are Argentinian, Italian, International,
less visited. Shellfish and seafood and Vegetarian. Taken together,
on the coast are generally fresh these themes form an accurate
Wheelchair Access
and properly washed, but treat reflection of the food choices
In big cities, upmarket restaurants open-air markets and roadside available today in Argentina.
will have ramps or designed vendors with caution. A DK Choice entry is
access. Elsewhere, however, few considered to be an outstanding
eateries make special provision Vegetarians restaurant. It might be a romantic
for wheelchair users. That said, place, have great views or
Argentinian waiting staff are Vegetarian restaurants are not fantastic design, be excellent
generally helpful and will do common in Argentina and it value, have a significant dish, or
everything short of knocking is important to insist “No como fabulous outside eating. Most of
down a wall to open a door and carne” (I do not eat meat). these are very popular, so make
make a diner feel welcome. Vegetables are grown across the a reservation where possible.

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