'Locals Only' is a column in which we ask friends from Argentina, our featured country, where they like to eat, thrift, hideout, and hang out when visiting their homeland.
Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea is a New York City-based graphic designer and an art director for fashion brands. Through her website Under Our Sky, she also works to promote her country's designers. See what spots in her home city this Porteña recommends.
Place for a low-key dinner with friends: Guido's Bar, in front of the Buenos Aires Zoo. A very typical bodegón (or tavern) with a very comfortable atmosphere. The best part is that you don't need to order––they just bring you food until you're full. So you can spend every minute just talking with your friends!
Place for a first date: Pagano Club Social, specifically at their outdoor table on the balcony. It's a closed-door restaurant at a friend of mine's house. This place is reservation only and a la gorra, which means you pay what you want!
Gallery: Galería Fiebre
Bookstore: Libreria El Ateneo on Avenida Santa Fe & Avenida Callao. It used to be a theater and now it's a beautiful, big bookshop.
Place to shop: My favorite store is THEM––my sister just started this new brand and it rocks! Coming soon to Opening Ceremony!
Vintage store: For clothes I go to Juan Perez Vintage, whose windows never cease to amaze me. For furniture I love exploring San Telmo, you can find really nice stuff there, but you need to look hard and know what you're looking for. A friend of mine found a Jackson Pollock painting there and just donated it to the Met. (The guy selling it had no idea what he had.) If you're feeling adventurous, check a local newspaper for auctions in small towns in the countryside. You'll be surprised what you can find out there!
Place for coffee: I'm not a big coffee fan, but Florencio in the La Isla area of the Recoleta neighborhood is French, chic, and tiny (with only five little tables). For tea, I love going to Villa Ocampo, which carries Ines Breton's tea selection. This beautiful casona (or villa) in the suburbs of Buenos Aires is the great Latin American cultural figure Victoria Ocampo's home. She was once described by Jorge Luis Borges as "la mujer la más argentina" (or the quintessential Argentine woman).
Place for choripan sandwiches: Next to the Galileo Galilei Planetarium on Avenida Sarmiento, there are a few trucks that sell the best choris!
Place for steak: Los Talas del Entrerriano is little far from the city but awesome. Otherwise, Antigua Querencia is also great.
Best alfajor cookie: The Dulce de Leche alfajores by the brand Havanna are my all-time favorites. The ones at Oui Oui, with half a kilogram of Dulce de Leche, are killer as well.
Weekend getaway: My family's estancia is the best retreat. Punta del Este in Uruguay is also a stunning destination, even in the winter. There's no one there––no cars, no people, no parties...
Barrio to spend your Sunday: The Tigre (the river delta) is beautiful, and spending the day outdoors is a must after a long week in the city.
Place for babe watching: I wish I knew!
The one thing you always bring back with you fr
Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea is a New York City-based graphic designer and an art director for fashion brands. Through her website Under Our Sky, she also works to promote her country's designers. See what spots in her home city this Porteña recommends.
Place for a low-key dinner with friends: Guido's Bar, in front of the Buenos Aires Zoo. A very typical bodegón (or tavern) with a very comfortable atmosphere. The best part is that you don't need to order––they just bring you food until you're full. So you can spend every minute just talking with your friends!
Place for a first date: Pagano Club Social, specifically at their outdoor table on the balcony. It's a closed-door restaurant at a friend of mine's house. This place is reservation only and a la gorra, which means you pay what you want!
Gallery: Galería Fiebre
Bookstore: Libreria El Ateneo on Avenida Santa Fe & Avenida Callao. It used to be a theater and now it's a beautiful, big bookshop.
Place to shop: My favorite store is THEM––my sister just started this new brand and it rocks! Coming soon to Opening Ceremony!
Vintage store: For clothes I go to Juan Perez Vintage, whose windows never cease to amaze me. For furniture I love exploring San Telmo, you can find really nice stuff there, but you need to look hard and know what you're looking for. A friend of mine found a Jackson Pollock painting there and just donated it to the Met. (The guy selling it had no idea what he had.) If you're feeling adventurous, check a local newspaper for auctions in small towns in the countryside. You'll be surprised what you can find out there!
Place for coffee: I'm not a big coffee fan, but Florencio in the La Isla area of the Recoleta neighborhood is French, chic, and tiny (with only five little tables). For tea, I love going to Villa Ocampo, which carries Ines Breton's tea selection. This beautiful casona (or villa) in the suburbs of Buenos Aires is the great Latin American cultural figure Victoria Ocampo's home. She was once described by Jorge Luis Borges as "la mujer la más argentina" (or the quintessential Argentine woman).
Place for choripan sandwiches: Next to the Galileo Galilei Planetarium on Avenida Sarmiento, there are a few trucks that sell the best choris!
Place for steak: Los Talas del Entrerriano is little far from the city but awesome. Otherwise, Antigua Querencia is also great.
Best alfajor cookie: The Dulce de Leche alfajores by the brand Havanna are my all-time favorites. The ones at Oui Oui, with half a kilogram of Dulce de Leche, are killer as well.
Weekend getaway: My family's estancia is the best retreat. Punta del Este in Uruguay is also a stunning destination, even in the winter. There's no one there––no cars, no people, no parties...
Barrio to spend your Sunday: The Tigre (the river delta) is beautiful, and spending the day outdoors is a must after a long week in the city.
Place for babe watching: I wish I knew!
The one thing you always bring back with you fr