Why Almagro is the BEST (#378 in a series)

You need another reason why Almagro is the best barrio in a huge city of great barrios?  Well, how 'bout:

La Casa de las Aceitunas

at Guardia Vieja 3602 (esq. Billinghurst)
Phone: 4862-2080
E-mail: aceitunas@unete.com

In a neighborhood of jewels, this one is right up there near the top of the crown ...if you love black olives, it might be the front-and-center diamond.

Green olives are incredibly represented, as well ...big and meaty and briny, they'll make you think hard to remember the last time you ate an olive so good.

But the raison d'etre for the little corner joint that's been there since 1958 is the black olive.  Real black olives ...not the ones that are artificially turned black by gas.  You really can't have eastern Mediterranean cuisine without them.

And Almagro has the highest percentage of Jews of all Buenos Aires Barrios and they, with the help of the descendants of Argentina's big Syrian and Lebanese immigration, keep the demand high.  They are the stars of the show.

...unless it's the extra virgin olive oil!  It's the best in town and you can't beat the price.  They bring it in from Mendoza in bulk and sell it to you in liter or half-liter bottles.  Not too long ago, they used to let you bring-in your jug and they'd fill it for you from the barrel.  Sad to see that go.

They do a brisk trade in dried beans and fruits and lots of nuts ...best selection in town.  So if you are as crazy as I am for that stuff, you owe yourself a visit.

They also import oodles and gobs of middle-eastern yummies.  Too tired to make your own hummus, falafel, or babaganoush?  Just swing by and pick some up.

If you you happen to be there on a sunny afternoon, you can step across the street and reward yourself at one of city's truly notable café-bars, El Bandarín.

You'll be glad you did.