Treat your Tastebuds in Mendoza

Here are some amazing dining options in Mendoza.



Bistro La Tupiña in the Altus Bodega – This is my favorite for lunch. It's in Tupungato so you can see that beautiful valley and the stunning Andes. The entire dining experience is unique. You´re greeted near the open oven by the chef who mingles with the guests and explains that every ingredient is from the valley. The lunch begins with tapas and white wine, then moves on to the dinning room where we had a stew (locro), then a meat course (chivito-baby goat) with vegetables, and an amazing dessert. Each course is served with a different Altus wine. There are tables inside and outside. The whole lunch took about four hours.


I can't find the page for it, but you can see pictures of it on my Flickr site under Mendocino Bodegas
There are others available here.

La Sal - Unbelievable steak, live music (but not loud), beautiful decor, yummy desserts, great wine list. There are pictures of this restaurant on my Flickr site in the Mendoza set.

1884 - I had the best chivito of my life here. The place is gorgeous and the menu is filled with local flavors done imaginatively. We also had an pears, prosciutto, and parmesan shavings dressed with olive oil and herbs that was scrumptious.

Azafran is just around the corner from La Sal. We couldn't get a seat without a reservation. The place was packed. It looked delicious. Maybe next time.

Club Tapiz - Lots of people have recommended Club Tapiz. I haven't eaten there, but it's on my list.

Trip to Mendoza at Easter? Can you find a room?

My aunt and uncle are planning to come to Argentina in March. It will be Easter and also harvest season and a few days after the festival--La Vendimia-- in Mendoza. In other words, we have to book now. I never plan that far in advance for anything.

Yet seeing as I am the "expert" with loads and loads of knowledge, I've started putting together a few lists for them. And since I haven't had time to write here, I might as well share that research with you guys.

The hotels listed below are mostly outside of the city of Mendoza. There are two main areas with wineries (bodegas) and boutique-type hotels: Chacras de Coria and Tupungato.


Chacras de Coria is a beautiful little town in the Maipu valley (sort of the Napa Valley of Mendoza). It's picturesque and there are some fantastic restaurants in town. Also, it's much closer to the city of Mendoza so driving in at night to try some of the restaurants in the city would be easier from here than from Tupungato. And there are more wineries in this area.


Tupungato is more rustic in terms of accommodations and restaurants, but more majestic in terms of beauty. It's further away (in the Valle de Uco) and less crowded. The mountains are gorgeous. It's much higher up than Chacras and the places here feel more gaucho-like. It's a different sort of experience. It's the difference between Aspen, Telluride and Crested Butte: Mendoza being Aspen, Chacras being Telluride, and Tupungato being Crested Butte.

Hotels near the City of Mendoza:

Club Tapiz - Popular place to stay and for dinner. It's highly recommended.

Finca Adalgisa - Gorgeous.

Rancho E'Cuero -Rustic sort of cowboy feeel.

Estancia Cheateau d'Ancon - Very French feeling.

Posada Salentein - This one is considered one of the most modern bodegas in Mendoza. Stunning, but not as quaint per se as the others.

Lares de Chacras - Looks very quaint and charming.

Posada Borravino - Nice rooms and warm atmosphere.

Bodega Inti Huaco - It feels very Argentine.

Postales del Plata - Looks good. Can't tell much from the page.

La Posada - Impressively elegant.

Park Suites, Executive Hotel - This is the only one in the city of Mendoza. It's not my style, but since the Hyatt is booked (and way expensive) it would be a good option in the city. The Sheraton is opening soon, but I'm not sure when.

Mendoza

As if having all that great wine wasn't enough, look at those mountains!