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[title]An unforgettable dining experience goes far beyond good flavors, well-executed dishes, and impeccable service. While these are the fundamental bases for a good evening, it must also appeal to emotion to become truly memorable.
And that’s exactly what La Cabrera, repeatedly chosen among the best restaurants in the world, achieves. By appealing a bit to nostalgia, with nods to our inner child, this Argentine grill offers an experience you have to live at least once in your life. It’s not just about perfect meats and delicious desserts: at La Cabrera, every detail—from a music box to a lollipop at the end—is designed to leave an emotional mark.
La Cabrera’s Starters: The Stars of the Menu
“We like our guests to live a complete journey, from beginning to end. The starters are a playful and tasty wink to open the appetite, often with nods to the classics but always with a twist. The mains, of course, are the grill’s heart. And the desserts… are the grand finale. All the steps are connected by a common thread: La Cabrera’s generous, fun, and slightly nostalgic spirit,” explains Gastón Riveira, the soul behind this project, whom we interviewed for this piece.
“All the steps are connected by a common thread: La Cabrera’s generous, fun, and slightly nostalgic spirit”
The starters at La Cabrera are like an extended appetizer that conveys abundance, color, and a desire to share. Magic is also part of the experience: at La Cabrera, it’s democratic. Every dish, starter, or dessert can be paired with whatever makes the diner happy—wine, cocktails, mocktails, or a good Imperial beer.
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The “Sweet” Surprise Everyone Talks About at La Cabrera
One of the big bets of La Cabrera’s proposal is surprise. The guest chooses from the menu what they like best to finish their lunch or dinner, but what they receive is much more than that. For example: the dulce de leche volcano is served with a scoop of cream ice cream topped with a crunchy cone.
“The mini cone is a symbol of childhood in Argentina. We included it because we like to end the meal with a smile. It’s our ‘thank you for coming.’ It has that charm of something simple, delicious, something that transports you. Besides, who wouldn’t be happy with a mini cone after a good asado?” Riveira details.
“The mini cone has that charm of something simple, delicious, something that transports you”
Adding to this unforgettable wink is that the ice creams are homemade and follow the same philosophy as the meat: good raw materials and no shortcuts. “We use real cream, real fruits, real chocolate. Some flavors are classic (dulce de leche, strawberry), others more daring like blue cheese or pumpkin in syrup. Everything starts from what we like to eat,” the chef explains.
Magic Until the Last Moment
Like a perfectly rehearsed choreography, that extra touch found in the starters—where the idea is to nibble, try, and share—is kept even when ordering coffee. Something so simple becomes memorable when the cup arrives at the table accompanied by a music box.
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“This idea comes from something simple: why can’t coffee have its own magical moment too? We love creating surprise moments. We believe details matter as much as the food. If a chocolate comes with music and a smile, it’s enjoyed twice as much. And it stays in the diner’s memory!” he details.
“We believe details matter as much as the food”
And the surprise doesn’t end there—finally, when the diner gets ready to leave after paying, La Cabrera performs its final trick: a wooden display of colorful lollipops takes center stage on the table and wins the hearts of both kids and adults.
“The lollipop is our playful closing. We wanted the experience not to end with the bill. It’s like a pat on the back that says, ‘thanks, come back anytime.’ Kids love it and adults do too, even if they deny it,” he adds.
Food Is Emotion, and La Cabrera Understands It Perfectly
When someone sits at a table to try a dish, they want that bite to take them somewhere else: maybe to grandma’s house, maybe to dad’s grill, or to the neighborhood ice cream shop. Magic happens in that encounter between flavor and memory. When that happens, it turns a dinner or lunch into something unforgettable.
Where: Check La Cabrera’s locations here.