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From the Pampas to the RockiesThe Buenos Aires Grill brings Argentine food culture to DenverJoshua Wolpe, DDN Staff WriterFriday, October 10, 2008 |  | | GET A TASTE OF ARGENTINA — Rick and Mary Pat Heath enjoy a meal on the patio at Buenos Aires Grill. |
By JOSHUA WOLPE
Denver Daily News Staff Writer
A typical mixed grill meat platter in Argentina can include chorizo, sweetbreads, blood sausage, chitterlings, beef ribs, flank steak and skirt steak.
As you can see, Argentina is not the country best suited to vegetarian cuisine.
Thanks to Francis and Ana Heath, you can indulge your meat fantasy right here in Denver and save yourself the airfare (though this newspaper highly recommends a trip to the wondrous city of Buenos Aires if you ever get the chance).
Francis Heath is from Argentina and Ana spent 21 years there. They are high school sweethearts who came to Denver in 1990 after visiting her brother here and falling in love with the city. Denver offered them the pace and quality of life they were looking for.
Over the course of the last five years, they have established three Argentine food establishments in Colorado. Denver is home to both the Buenos Aires Grill and Buenos Aires Pizzeria, while Aspen is the home of Buenos Aires Fusion, which opened in July of this year.
More than just food
Restaurant culture in Argentina is very different than the U.S. People tend to go out to eat much later in the evening, usually around 10 or 11 p.m. Meals in Argentina tend to be lingered over for hours, allowing the company, food and wine to be leisurely enjoyed.
Once you are finally ready to leave, you practically have to get out of your seat and head to the exit for the server to bring the check. This is not out of lack of attention, but rather a more laissez-faire approach to the dining experience that allows you to not feel crowded. The Buenos Aires Grill has incorporated some of this approach.
“We are not just about the food,” says Ana. “We are about the whole experience, we follow Argentine culture and we encourage a more relaxed approach. Turning tables is not our goal. We are happy if you enjoy your experience and want to come back.”
Argentina is also known for fabulous wine and the Buenos Aires Grill offers an extensive wine list. Malbec is probably Argentina’s most famous grape, grown in the high-altitude region of Mendoza. It is nearly impossible to go wrong with an Argentine Malbec, and Buenos Aires Grill has more than enough choices.
A taste of Argentina, Italy, Spain
While the atmosphere is a welcome change from many fast-paced U.S. restaurants, the Buenos Aires Grill understands that a juicy steak is the reason many people want to come. All of their beef is grass-fed and from both Uruguay and the U.S. It is currently illegal to import meat from Argentina.
There is a huge European influence in the city of Buenos Aires, mainly from Spain and Italy. The Buenos Aires Grill menu has some wonderful pasta selections as well as seafood, including sea bass, cod, salmon and mussels.
Argentina is one of the treasures of South America, a melting pot of people who take time to cultivate their rich culture. Meals are meant to be enjoyed and savored, and Buenos Aires Grill has brought that to Denver.
Buenos Aires Grill
WHAT: An Argentine steakhouse with Spanish and Italian cuisine
WHERE: 2191 Arapahoe St.
HOURS: Tuesday through Friday; Happy Hour 4 – 6 p.m. ($2 beer, $3 wine, $5 cocktails and buy 1, get 1 appetizers) Dinner 4 – 10 p.m., Saturdays, Dinner 4 – 11 p.m., Sundays, Dinner 4 – 9 p.m.
INFO: www.denverargentinerestaurants.com / 303-296-6709
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