Description: Chiquilin (pronounced “chee-kee-leen'”) is a wonderful tango-themed restaurant. Entering, you are greeted by a photo of a happy, smiling tango crooner Carlos Gardel, the most famous picture taken of him. Art and sculpture of tango notables and scenes cover the walls.
The buzz is very much Buenos Aires with a mixture of porteños (citizens of BA) and tourists. The food is local of all varieties: beef, pork, poultry, and fish. Chiquilin is upscale from Cervantes II (but certainly not top-scale).
Still, the prices are quite reasonable. Three of us shared a large salad, and each had a main course, added an extra side of mashed potatoes, a bottle of local wine, two desserts shared (meal portions are large in BA, often there is little room for desserts), and several bottles of mineral water, all for the equivalent of about US$53, tip included.
I had bife de lomo, a tenderloin steak that lived up to its name. My wife decided to step up from her customary fish of merluza (hake) to try parana. Although quite tasty, it had more bones than expected. Probably wouldn’t order that again.
For dessert, my wife shared a Don Pedro with our friend. This is an ice cream and liquor combination that is sneakily potent. Sharing is suggested. I had my favorite chocolate mousse.
As usual with this type of restaurant, the service is excellent. At Chiquilin, as at other, nicer BA restaurants, if you remove your jacket and place it over the back of an empty chair, the waiter will cover it with a tablecloth so it won't be soiled.
For a combination of very good local food, good service, and a very nice atmosphere, all at very reasonable prices, Chiquilin is highly recommended.
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