I hope you remember the mention of "The Authentic Bars, Cafés, and Restaurants of Buenos Aires" here back in June... because there are two more from Ms. Kogan, this time with South American publishing rights.I just got them yesterday and I'm crazy busy but they look to be two more beauties in the vein of "The Authentics".
One, "Buenos Aires Dances Tango Milongas Guide" is one that I promise to read diligently ...but I'll rely on our Tangueros y Tangueras to provide me with their opinions. Especially in light of that so many of the joints from my "Tango Safari" in 2000 no longer exist ...or are a shadow of their former selves.
"Buenos Aires - 16 City Walks" is another matter altogether. I couldn't resist cracking the pretty guide-sized copy to my own barrio, the relatively unheralded Retiro. It's strange that 21st century expats don't know Retiro well... in the 20th and 19th centuries Retiro was a magnet for extranjeros here for extended stays.
Like her previous book, the section on my 'hood doesn't disappoint. She knows her stuff, she's obviously porteña, and she gets the mix of grandeur and grit and love and architecture that is my stomping ground.
Like she did with "The Authentics", I'm sure that she'll lead even me, a very curious immigrant, into places that I don't know ...and even the ones I already DO ...with fresh insight and soul.
I can't wait to read about my favorite barrio: Almagro!
Much more to come about these 2 new great ones from the woman that has become my favorite gurú of Buenos Aires.
http://www.sudamericanalibros.com.ar/fichalibro/?isbn=9789875663985
http://www.sudamericanalibros.com.ar/fichalibro/?isbn=9789875663978
2 comments:
I picked up a copy of the cafes book...amazon doesn't yet have the Buenos Aires - 16 City Walks listed. Too bad. Retiro's great...in some ways it's the soul of "Barrio Norte", depending on how one defines that!
Two great traditional places where you can smoke and play an assortment of ball games: Los Andes on Canning and Cabrera, and 36 Billares on Avenida de Mayo and Santiago del Estero. Tell them I sent you. They're stare at you blankly and ask "Who?" They're just kidding.
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