A Very Special Valentine's Day

Posted by R. Ann Siracusa

For me, February 14, 2015, is going to be a very special Valentine's Day. I'll be celebrating this day dedicated to the ones we love in Buenos Aires, Argentina, home of the most romantic dance, the Tango.

The evening will begin as we arrive at a white villa on Murillo Street in the Villa Crespo District  and enter the iLatina Restaurant. The interior may be dark and quiet or it may be bright and cheery—it can be both—but that doesn't matter. It's the experience that counts.

I think I'll order the seven course tasting special they're famous for. This is the menu.

▼Bread Basket – Banana bread, Chipá, Coconut bread, focaccia with olives and mixed seeds bread, with lime and pepper-flavored butter.

▼Appetizer – White corn aniseed arepas with spicy avocado mousse and chicharron. Patacon with hogao and goat cheese.

◄First Course- Toasted corn tortilla with beef cheek, Oaxacan Mole, and Mezcal marinated red onions.T.

 

Second Course – Caramelized prawns with spicy pineapple and fenne.

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◄Third Course – Barú ceviche with fish,mango, coconut and lychee. 

 Fourth Course – Peruvian seafood casserole with grilled octopus.              ►     

▼Fifth Course – Braised pork in Colombian coffee and sugarcane reduction.

 

Sixth Course – Equadorian cacao truffle with sea salt and olive oil.

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Seventh Course – Avocado and Aguardiente ice cream.

▼Final Course

Typical Colombian coffee infused with cinnamon and cardamom, and Petit-Fours.

Whew!

Even with reasonable portions, that's quite a meal. Afterward we'll have to take a long stroll before we go to a night club, see a tango show, and  dance the tango all night. 

But, alas, we will look more like an old version of Fernando Botero's painting than the dancers in the show. 

                                        

I can't believe I'm really going. I leave tomorrow for Argentina and Antarctica. I'll be back March second.. May you have the best, most romantic Valentine's Day ever.