La Cholita, Buenos Aires: The term ‘La Cholita’ is not uncontroversial. A Cholo (masculine) or Chola (feminine) is a term associated with a mixed race person, part of that mix being South American Indian/indigenous. However, the diminutive form (the addition of ‘ita’ or ‘little’) has been reclaimed as a badge of honour.
It was unclear what association this had with the name of a steak restaurant in the chichi neighbourhood of Recoleta at the heart of Buenos Aires. I did wander if it might be a fusion place, but there was no sign that this was anything other than a steakhouse.
I was staying across the road at the Apart San Diego hotel. Well, I wanted to stay there but I couldn’t check in until after the official 2pm get-in, so food it was as a way to balm the jet lagged soul.
Check out how I got on at 3 other local restaurants: Quotidiano, Burger 54 and La Pecora Nera
La Cholita, Buenos Aires: The Room
First impressions are good – it’s a long, high room and the red and yellow colour scheme is appealing, with a Spanish familiarity.
Top 5 things to do in Buenos Aires
Like many restaurants on this street (Rodriguez Peña), there are baskets full of crayons for anyone to draw on the paper table coverings. Argentinian restaurants are very child-friendly (although nothing to say you can’t express yourself as an adult!).
La Cholita, Buenos Aires: The Food
There is a cubierto or cover charge of about $40 pesos (£2 / $2.50), which includes an over-sized bread roll that was really quite heavy.
I ordered a glass of red wine and it came in a penguin pitcher, a pinguino! The pinguino is a THING in Buenos Aires. They come in various sizes (enough for a glass, carafe, bottle) and are very charming.
I was pretty much alone with my jet lag in the restaurant.
Since it’s Argentina, I ordered steak. The wooden board is consistent with other ‘asado’ or grill places and the sides were generous. The meat smelled great and had the kind of char that I love.
There is bad news. The steak was very overcooked. I like a good steak rare-medium rare (depending on the cut). This was on the other side of well done. It surprised me. I did expect a steak restaurant to have temperature to the forefront of their service approach. The seasoning on the sides, on the other hand, was really appetising.
A new waiter arrived to clear my plate and I struggled a little with my rudimentary Spanish to order a coffee. He did arrive with an espresso, so something went right in the linguistic attempt!
The Gap
La Cholita restaurant was just okay. It manages to get a consistent 4/5 on rating websites. I think that’s generous but the gap might lie in the time of day that you patronise this steakhouse. Busier evenings may have a more experienced hand on the grill.
Visit Cumaná
- Rodríguez Peña 1149, C1020 CABA, Argentina
- 4813-5360
- Website
- Reservations are advisable for later dining
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