RESTAURANT REVIEW: Che Argentine Grill

WHERE: 303 fox street, maboneng precinct. Johannesburg.
TEL: 011 614 0264
TYPE: Argentinian fare

A beautiful saturday afternoon spent in Maboneng in the company of great friends whilst eating great food!

I have to say that they had me since the market with the stunning Chimichurri, that's where you can taste the authenticity of their flavour. But then, the restaurant came and I tried their chorizo, served with a parsley sauce, chimichurri and a tomato salsa for a perfect balance.

I had been looking forward to the opening of their restaurant and to my great pleasure I was not disappointed. Both times I have been there, I've seen the hands-on owners around and about, ensuring things are going smoothly and people are happy with their food.

The first time, we went for a friend's  birthday dinner where the food was served in wooden chopping boards  and shared by all, and while I love the idea of sharing... I did want to have a whole plate of Bife (Rib Eye) just  to myself! So we decided to come back and have our own plate each, and this was our experience.

We came in for lunch early, so we got the first order in. With the sun shining through the windows into this farm-stall-like space,  that's made to feel cozy, especially when the chimichurri first made its appearance next to a little basket of bread, to get us started. The empanadas soon followed, with the chicken and beef variants quickly making it to the favourites list... and of course the Chorizo...!  Too small a plate in my opinion, because it's just THAT good. The only thing missing for us at this stage was some good chili sauce,  because even though we don't eat a lot of chili in most places in South America, my hubby and I have certainly gotten used to a nice 'bite' whilst in South Africa.

When we ordered the mains, the pork belly came with a warning: "watch out, it is a fatty pork cut"... and our response: "...and that's why we love it!". Apparently someone did not take well to the concept of a fatty cut previously, but that's why you have to know what you're getting  into, right?

I had a lovely rib eye steak served with the same sides as the chorizo, even though the menu didn't  let on that it came with anything, which is why I also ordered a side salad, something I don't  regret as it was divine: rocket, sundried tomatoes, goats cheese and balsamic vinegar. My friend ordered a side caesar salad, which I wouldn't  recommend until they improve the dressing to carry more anchovies and less mustard.

We all liked our meals and I loved the place, our waitress and the ambiance, it was just something else.

On our previous visit I had been enticed to try the Alfajor ice cream, which I had been looking forward to since, but didn't  get to try as the owner took someone's  unfeathered criticism perhaps too harshly and it came off the menu! Either way, my petition for its return is in and I hope they will reconsider...

Go for curiosity or whatever the case, open up your tastebuds and enjoy!

Love,

iSabel