Bar Uriarte: Mediterranean Cuisine with a Serving of Palermo Cool

Editor’s note: Bar Uriarte is now closed. The same owners operate El Gran Bar Danzón.

Bar Uriarte typifies the modern Palermo Viejo dining experience. The restaurant is owned by the same folks who El Gran Bar Danzón and Sucre, two other hot spots popular with the fashion crowd. At night it’s a bustling trendy place to have dinner, during the day it’s relaxing place to have a light lunch. The restaurant’s modern design includes an abundance of white sofas and steel everywhere.

For those who like to watch what they eat, the kitchen is placed at the front of the restaurant facing the street. The kitchen-in-the-front is an interesting touch although odors sometimes permeate the dining area.

The simple cuisine served up by chef Julieta Oriolo is focused on Mediterranean and Italian food. Popular are the Noquis (potato gnocchi)  and pizzas cooked in the wood-fire oven. The bread is baked here daily, a treat for those tired of the hard rolls served at many restaurants. Resident expats may want to skip the old standbys and try one of the fish dishes. Those with a real sweet tooth will be tempted by the dessert menu. A good bet is the Creme Bruleé made with dulce de leche.

The table service ranges from very good to rushed and disinterested. The acoustics of the place can make it a little noisy during peak hours. A lovely garden sits in the back.

Bar Uriate is celebrated for it’s wine menu although it is on the pricey side with bottles costing $A30 and up.  The cocktails are excellent and there is a daily happy hour from 7 until 10:30 pm. Try the Bloody Mary if you’re a connoisseur.

On weekends there’s a live DJ.

Bar Uriarte—$$-$$$
Uriarte1572
Palermo Viejo
Tel: 4834-6004

• Hours: from 12:30 pm until the wee hours Mon-Sun
,•  major credit cards accepted