palermo viejo | Wander Argentina

Bárbara Ramos
Student/Starbucks Barista
Age: 19
Palermo Viejo

Q: You said you are a student. What are you studying?

I’m studying to become a math teacher.

• How did you decide you wanted to become a math teacher?

Since I was young numbers fascinated me. I was able to solve the problems pretty easily and helped other kids with theirs.

I really became interested when one professor I had in school took the time to explain to me very in-depth about how you can use mathematics to explain so many things and I became fascinated with this whole new world.

One thing that people who like math have in common is that they are kind of crazy. People ask me why I want to learn about things like Chaos Theory if I’m never going to use it, but I find it very interesting.

• Sometimes people say men are more naturally apt at math, while women do better in subjects that deal with the right side of the brain. What do you think?

In my university class there are an equal number of men and women. From my point of view, I think perhaps women are more capable in math!

• You grew up in Palermo Viejo, what do you think about all the changes there in the last few years?

Well one thing that is better is that the plaza in front of my house is safer now, at night it’s all nice and neat. Unfortunately they have taken out a lot of the color and character as well – there used to be more trees, grass and playground areas and now the plazas are more cement and just… gray. Also they keep inventing new names – Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Soho — that is one thing that seriously drives me insane!

• You work at Starbucks coffee house. Is there a difference working for a (north) American company?

One thing that I enjoy is that they are very respectful of your time and that gives me time to study. It’s also less competitive between the employees than other jobs I’ve had; we work together. I really like it. I want to keep working here.

• How about the pay? Is it better than other places?

Well it starts at AR$8.75 an hour but after six months it goes up to AR$10.

• So the average drink costs at Starbucks costs more than an hour’s wage for you…?

Well, yes, but the product quality is high and a lot of the items we use are imported, so blame it on our president because it’s so costly to import products.

• What did you think of the Bicentenary celebrations going on?

Well I’m a bit patriotic but with the president (Cristina Kirchner) we have now I wasn’t that inspired to celebrate. I just wanted to stay home.

• Are you a Peronist?

Well from what I know about Peronism I appreciate it, but the Kichners aren’t really Peronists. They lie and say they’re going to do things for the people and just end up doing things for themselves. They received money from the United States to clean up the River Plate for example, but the river is as dirty as ever.

• What do you think of gay marriage now that it is going to be legalized?

I think they should stop prohibiting it. It doesn’t affect the world negatively. There are more important things to worry about.

Steaks & Appetizers

Sirloins, tenderloins, flanks and rib-eyes are sizzled with the standard slow-cooked care that brings out the flavor of the famed Argentine grass-fed beef. (See this post on Argentine cuts of meats to decipher the various options)

Seasonings like thyme, concasse pepper and vegetable marinade add zest and flavor — a welcome change in a country that abstains from spices the way dieters shun carbohydrates. Many entrees are available in half portions, lest the array of appetizers, including olives stuffed with almonds and Basque black sausage, be too tempting to skip. Guests in need of a ‘steak break’ can choose from salad or chicken entrees, although skipping the beef at La Cabrera is akin to shunning cake on one’s birthday.

Perhaps even better than the carnivore-worthy mains are La Cabrera’s trademark variety of side dishes, included gratis with every entrée; miniature creations such as quail-egg potato salad, pureed squash, and tomato-marinated pinto beans. Better yet, all the foods— appetizers, entrees and sides— are presented on communal dining trays, encouraging all guests to share the wealth, if they are willing.

Best Times to Go to Avoid the Crowds

La Cabrera opens its doors at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Before 10, English is the primary language overheard as tourists and early-bird expats usurp the limited seating. Word of the restaurant has spread to many a travel book, but the servers remain friendly and conscientious. The steady influx of porteños hours later proves that this restaurant has somewhat avoided one of the pitfalls that beleaguer tourist hotspots: sightseers swarm in, scare away locals and subsequently cause food quality to drop. Prices are high compared to typical Buenos Aires parilla carts though; there’s a ‘cubierto,’ or service charge for every diner and most entrees fall around the US$12-15 mark, with some of the finer custs, such as the Kobe beef Wagyu, costing quite a bit more.

On temperate evenings al fresco dining at the corner of Thames and Cabrera is the perfect spot for people watching. Tourists toting guidebooks and sharply dressed locals pass by; some join the growing queue of diners, others may wander up the street to dine at La Cabrera’s equally sought-after sister restaurant, La Cabrera Norte.

Note that La Cabrera practically begs diners to make reservations on their website, but as a general rule of thumb, waiting times are shorter earlier in the evening. Diners also get a nice discount if they dine at midday, with an all-inclusive executive menu costing about US$16 per person. It’s recommended try to get there before 6 p.m. to get a table and take advantage of the 6:30 p.m. happy hour.

—by Nicole Duncan