On Thursday night we ventured out wa-a-a-ay past our normal dining hour to try a local restaurant that had been recommended in our apartment’s info packet. Dinner here starts late, around 9pm or so, and we ventured out around 10pm to Social Paraiso, a short walk away. The place was bustling at 10pm with a few tables open that were taken by others arriving at around 11pm.

Social Paraiso Restaurant (photo credit: www.socialparaiso.com.ar)

We tried our best to read the menu with our very limited Spanish skills, but were saved by our extremely gracious server. She stood at our table and patiently translated the entire menu for us, dish-by-dish, apologizing for not being better with her English. We were the ones that were sorry, making her have to do the extra work.

Our server (photo credit: www.socialparaiso.com.ar)

Ryan started with an excellent glass of Malbec wine from Argentina. Our mains were a steak and a stuffed chicken breast, both served with plenty of sides. All this for 131 pesos, or around US$33. The food was so-so. The steak was tasty, but a bit tough (it was a t-bone, with the bone removed), the chicken a bit dry. All in all, though, we enjoyed the experience.

Getting home with full stomachs, we stayed up quite late and, as a result, slept until almost 11am! By the time we got ourselves ready for breakfast, it was noon! But we trotted around the corner to the local bakery again and tried some sweet baked goods today.

Our corner bakery's pastry case, from the street looking in.

Yummy breakfast sweets

Great way to start the day ... even if the day is already well underway.

But then it was time to work off those extra calories we just ingested, so we headed out to some of the parks that we can see from our apartment’s windows. On the way, we passed several dog walkers. Dog walking seems to be a pretty good business to be here in BA. Everywhere we go, we see walkers with packs of dogs stringed to them.

This guy seems to specialize in walking big dogs.

This one takes all types, I guess.

One of the parks has a couple ponds and rose gardens and each loop around the ponds and gardens is about a mile, so we completed four loops before taking time to explore the park itself. We got a little camera happy trying to capture the essence of the parklands …

Families playing and relaxing at the pond's edge

A gaggle of paddleboaters

Scenic views abound

A stranger offered to take our photo. Gracias!

Roses galore

The park's setting blends the urban with the natural.

Requisite shots of one another, #1 ...

... and #2.

As we walked around the park we noticed lots of local flavor. And by local flavor, we might mean a lot of guys with their shirts off. Beyond that, there was also a bride and groom …

The car is dressed for the occasion, too.

… and this guy who set up some small cones and was doing some amazing rollerblading between them …

Fancy footwork

After the park it was time to relax a little bit before our big evening out!

We had read a NY Times article some time ago when planning this trip about peurta cerrada, or “closed door” restaurants. These are dining experiences held in private residences, usually for a dozen or so people a few nights a week. We researched a few and booked two for this trip: tonight at Casa Saltshaker in the Recoleta and next week at Casa Felix in in the Chacarita neighborhood.

Casa Saltshaker is in the apartment of a former NY chef and his local partner. When we arrived, most of the other guests had already arrived and were enjoying their welcome cocktail. Once dinner started, we were seated at a couple tables in the somewhat small apartment and the five-course service began.

The evening was centered around Guy Fawkes’ Night (to read more about Guy Fawkes night, click here). Basically, though, this meant that there was a “bomb” or “firecracker” theme to most of the dishes served in our five courses. Here’s a pictorial run-down of our meal …

Firecracker Deviled Eggs and Roasted Pepper Salad, paired with a Codorniu Maria Brut sparkling wine

Squash Bomb Soup with Goat Cheese Firecrackers (delicious!), paired with Saint Felicien Chardonnay

Gunpowder Linguini with Smoked Salmon and Cilantro Pesto, paired with Dona Paola Rosado rose wine

Firecracker Fried Chicken with Corn Pudding and Relish, paired with Parillos Pinot Noir (superb wine!)

Chocolate Mousse Bomb, paired with Zuccardi Malamando Tinto (port style wine)

The food was delicious, but the atmosphere of being in a local’s home experiencing a meal with travelers from around the world was very unique and special. We’re so glad we booked this and look forward to our next puerta cerrada experience, next week!