One of our favorite restaurants La Cabrera in Palermo Soho. It is known for its high quality steaks (of course), extensive wine list, plentiful side dishes and free champagne while you wait to be seated! 

Matt stuffing his belly! 

We ordered bife de lomo wrapped in dried red peppers and cheese! 

Success, we licked our plates clean! 

We got to leave our mark and sign a bottle of red wine at Don Julio's last night.

Its been three weeks and I am finally starting to really feel comfortable living here. There was a lot of trial and error at the start and even though I still get lost and give blank stares to people who talk too fast, I feel like a local. My first couple times walking into clothing stores I was intimidated by the employees, convincing myself that they were staring at me and judging me. I have come to the realization that people here really do just want to help and are patient with foreigners. Having lived in Barcelona for five months I really appreciate the friendliness of the Portenos compared with the colder Spaniards.

Matt and I actually laugh that we over-adpated the life style here if there is such a thing. I really enjoy staying up late and eating out late. I love the long relaxing dinners and the delicious varieties of red wine. The laid back people here are easy to get along with and the only time I have really felt like I was in any danger in the back of a taxi when my driver was driving like he was playing a video game. We were warned about the confusing bus system but its actually quite simple once you figure it out. We not only know where you can buy hangers but also things like peanut butter, plug adapters, hot sauce, antibiotics (no prescription necessary), and sake.  All in all, Buenos Aires is treating me just fine and I think Matt is getting some of the hair back he lost at his old job, in fact if you look at the pictures of him he might be rocking a pony tail in the near future!

Seeing that our kitchen is smaller than the kitchen on Matt's boat, we have eaten out a lot since our arrival. Okay so the kitchen isn't all to blame, there are just too many good restaurants less than two blocks from or house. Since food is a huge part of culture, I will share with you some of my experience thus far with dining. People here eat dinner around 9 or 10 and go out to bars around 12:30 a.m. Dinners are at time to reflect on your day and talk well after the meal is over.  It often will end with a coffee or expresso or if you have a sweet tooth like me, a large piece of chocolate lava cake. Waiters do not play the proactive servient role they do in the states. It could have something to do with the fact that people don't tip very well here, compared to other places. Waiters are not there to make your dining experience more enjoyable, the cow on the other hand is. We have learned a couple things dining out that are worth noting: The waiter will not approach you until you close your menu, so if you have a question about something do not read your menu. The men always taste the wine. If you ask for recommendations (assuming you go to a Argentine restruarant), 99 percent of the waiters will say carne or something from the parilla (grill). If you want to add a little spice to your dish they will hand you ground black pepper. I am passive about spicy food but for people like Matt who enjoy a little tongue tingle, you will be disappointed. Continuing on my list... If you want the check you have to ask for it. We have been the last two people in the restaurant and still we have to get attention of someone to get our check. Unlike in the states where they clear your plates as take your last bite and place your check on the table as you wipe the crumbs off your face (exaggeration of course- blame Kathy Fallon).  We found humor in a experience the other day. In the middle of our lunch, our waiter and the other staff sat down for a lunch in the restaurant and we didn't see him the rest of the meal.  Instead of being impatient Americans we ordered another Stella and hung out until we got the attention of another staff member. These are all just observations and good things to know when eating out in Buenos Aires!