Saturday, 10 September 2011

Sholken

El Calafate is not the most vivid city in the world. Though one of the most important of Patagonian cities, it is only 20000 inhabitants, and is as far away from being a cosmopolitan town as a neon sign is from a Patagonian lamb (though, the lam tastes great!). It is mainly sought by tourists that are on its way to visit Perito Moreno Glacier – an icy beauty that is really the landmark of this region. Still, there is good food to be found – and I really challenge you to go and have a nice Patagonian lamb (see? I am already talking about it, so, it must be good) in one of the restaurants around – there are many, and, let me tell you, I didn’t feel I was in a tourist trap in any of them. Still, I will be writing about something very different – and, actually, a lot more down-to-earth than the last restaurants I have been talking about…

The place I am going to tell is… a small nice brewery. Really small! It probably doesn’t sit more than 20 people inside. It actually resembles a lot more a small bar – the way the tables are organized, the bar at the left side, the good 70’s music and the TV displaying Charles Chaplin movies help a lot on that feeling… and on my good impression. That was capped by a nice waiter, keen to talk with us but also to leave us alone when he understood we want it that way.

When I went there, the first thing I ordered was my beer – well, this was a brewery after all, so, beer should top the list. I went to the full menu – a combination of 3 glasses of homemade beer, a blond, a dark and a red one. A bit rough, as is intended of a small brewery and expected in Patagonia. And, then, food – and here, let me tell you, you should team with someone and go for the ham, sausages and cheese platter - 2 small table-wooden planks full of… well, several types of cheese, sausages and hams… And it is incredible how such a combination of simple and relaxed food, drink and ambience (and good friends will only boost it) will make it such a perfect way to wrap up a Perito Moreno day-long visit!

Where: El Calafate - Argentina

Address: Av. Libertador 1630, El Calafate 9405, Argentina

Phone: +54 29 02496096

Expensive: Under €10

Last visited: Aug 2011

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