[image]
[title]Some restaurants go beyond food. They’re places where time seems to stand still, where every corner holds a story and every dish feels like a warm embrace. In Fisherton, one of Rosario’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Gimme Shelter is one of those refuges — a space where the neighborhood’s memory mingles with the aromas of great cooking. Inside its century-old mansion, flavors become memories and history is part of the dining experience.
A restaurant with history in the heart of Fisherton
The house where the restaurant operates is not just any house. It’s a historic mansion that once belonged to the family of Dr. Charles Lake Parr, an English doctor who came to Rosario to work for the railways. The large gardens filled with exotic species, a swimming pool, and even a squash court — one of the few in South America at the time — caught everyone’s attention in the neighborhood. In 1994, the property suffered a fire (not the first one) caused by frequent acts of vandalism. The last resident, Julian David Parr, one of the family’s heirs, lived there in neglect, deeply affected by the trauma of World War II.
“Our premise as a restaurant is to make our clients and friends feel as if time had never passed in the heart of the neighborhood. We’re joined by a great team that motivates us every day to keep believing in this city,” explains Jorge Thoroughgood, the soul behind Gimme Shelter, who has worked in gastronomy for over 27 years.
From Pueblo Fisherton to Gimme Shelter: Jorge Thoroughgood’s dream
Before embarking on the challenge of restoring a 19th-century mansion, Jorge had several other ventures. The most significant, in terms of longevity, was Pueblo Fisherton, a restaurant he ran for 21 years on Avenida Eva Perón.
“Due to a decision by the owners, I had to leave that place, and I found myself in need of reinventing myself. My passion for food and my neighborhood pushed me to imagine something bigger,” he recalls.
How the project turned a house into a culinary refuge
The famous house at Boulevard Argentino 8013 had fascinated Jorge since childhood. Like many kids of his time, the streets were his playground, where he’d walk or ride his bike with friends. As an adult, he decided to knock on the door and talk to the Araujo family, the current owners of the property. He shared his vision, his background, and his love for Fisherton and the house.
“They welcomed the idea with open arms, as they were looking for a project to bring life back to the mansion. The next step was to invite Fernando Rodríguez Nielsen, a longtime customer of Pueblo Fisherton, to join me. Today we’ve built a strong partnership, where each of us contributes what we can and love most to the project. These were the connections I had to make to bring this dream to life — a project that truly makes me feel alive every single day,” he says.
Where to eat in Rosario: an experience that feels like home
The concept behind Gimme Shelter is to make everyone feel like they’re at home, even if just for a moment. The restaurant features several spaces, including a lush garden where tables and chairs sit under the trees. The menu caters to all tastes — from platters perfect for sharing on a summer afternoon with an ice-cold beer to pastas, risottos, and main dishes like flank steak in Malbec butter with cinnamon and anise, served with smoked paprika crushed potatoes.
“Our spring/summer menu includes revamped versions of dishes that our customers have loved throughout our six years here. With every new idea, we keep finding ways to improve and refine the details — always striving to be a little better each day. At Gimme Shelter, good sounds and good flavors always come together in harmony,” Jorge says.
Flavors, music, and events: the complete Gimme Shelter experience
Beyond food, the restaurant often hosts special events — live music nights, themed dinners with traditional recipes like bagna cauda, wine tastings, and sunset gatherings that promise to become the highlights of the coming summer.
“We’re heading into a season full of great expectations. We want to continue making our humble but dedicated contribution to this craft, which blends hard work, attention to detail, and a touch of glamour. We love feeling equally at home in the simple and the sophisticated. That’s how we understand gastronomy. Our clients show us what they want, and we’re here to satisfy them in the best way possible,” he concludes.
Gimme Shelter has achieved what few have: turning a house marked by time into a symbol of belonging. The mansion that once witnessed the splendor and silence of another era now vibrates with the energy of a restaurant that celebrates flavor, memory, and hospitality.