Restaurants

Buenos Aires has been through a foodie revolution these past ten years. Meanwhile, the menu here hasn’t changed in years because ‘if it’s not broken, don’t mend it’, claims the Colombian owner. He accepts empanadas and chorizo are not in the typical Argentinian style, but adds that he gets enough traffic to suggest customers like them as they are. Our sirloin and rump steaks were delicious, the salads simple and fresh, the chips thick and beefy – and service was friendly. It’s all pretty faultless, but there’s not much ambition here; the menu has none of the offal or other extras you get in a real Argentinian steakhouse. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced: a bottle of Terrazas malbec costs £17.50. La Pampa shouldn’t promote itself as an Argentine restaurant: rather as a steakhouse that sells Argentinian steak.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009