Greeted with a kiss on the cheek and a warm embrace, you feel as though you are walking into a close friends or relatives house, not a stranger’s.  So, owners and couple, Diego and Sanra Felix don’t remain strangers for long.

Casa Felix, located in Chacarita with no [...]]]> The Unpretentious Supper Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Greeted with a kiss on the cheek and a warm embrace, you feel as though you are walking into a close friends or relatives house, not a stranger’s.  So, owners and couple, Diego and Sanra Felix don’t remain strangers for long.

Casa Felix, located in Chacarita with no signage, could be easily overlooked. But once you step inside, it is everything but ordinary.  The concept is simple yet genius. Open only Thursday – Saturday, Diego and Sanra open their homes and their hearts to 12 guests per night for a 5 course, pescatarian meal/masterpiece. The evening begins by a tour of their home-cum-restaurant and casual drinks in their garden.  Guests, owners, waiters, and chefs all mingle over tasty cocktails learning a little bit more about each other and how they found out about this ‘secret’ restaurant.

I immediately gravitate towards the garden and start asking questions. Diego and Sanra maintain 2 garden beds in which they pluck tasty herbs and veggies to incorporate into their menu.  Oh and they aim to cook with as many local ingredients as possible. I love them!

The meals are seasonal and change often but here’s a peek:

1. Welcome Drink : Kumquat infused Pisco

2. Botana: Black bean and plantain empanada, huacatay guacamole

3. Salad: Arugula and spinach, hulled wheat, tomato gratin, beet and chañar dressing

Intermezzo: Apple granita

4. Main Course: Grilled surubí in mesopotamian broth with aguaribay, manioc, fresh fennel and flower salad

5. Dessert: Blue corn muffins and passion fruit cream

The presentation is stunning and the taste even better.  Diego ensures you know exactly what you are eating and why. Offering explanations for the night’s inspiration and indigenous Argentine techniques used throughout the preparation of the meal.

Diego and Sanra are far from bums.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: travel to Italy, find myself a charming vegetarian cook/farmer, start an Italian branch of Casa insert my man’s name here.