Hidden Gem: Tegui, Buenos Aires

Located on a tree-lined residential street in Buenos Aires, Tegui is a standout restaurant in this city of impressive up-and-coming eateries. But if you didn’t know it was there, you’d probably walk right past it. Against the bright, poppy street art that is essentially this restaurant’s façade, the discreet black entrance door is nearly lost. Luckily, if you know what you’re looking for then a stellar culinary experience waits on the other side.

Behind that sly door, an outside courtyard boasts vivid banana trees, which are beautifully juxtaposed against a black and white sleek interior. A steel open kitchen allows guests – limited to 45 at a time – an intimate first-hand look at the talent and preparation behind their meals. And just who is this talent? Gérman Martitegui.

With a few restaurants in Buenos Aires already under his belt – and one in Madrid too – Chef Martitegui aimed to do something different with Tegui. Here, he takes a stunning contemporary spin on traditional Argentine eats. Take the traditional asado, for instance. Through employing modern techniques and clever flavor combinations, the chef brings classic favorites to a totally out-of-this-world place. Yet, the tastes, scents, and textures of this well-loved culinary tradition are still very present on the plate – think crispy roasted pork cooked sous-vide, or charcoal-infused mashed potatoes. So if you find yourself in Buenos Aires, then be sure to do what you can to find your way to Tegui.