Go-To Barrio Favorite: Bâraka

Homemade food, large portions, family recipes,  good prices, high quality products, inventive non-typical argentine menu, natural health conscious items – some of the many reasons why I love Baraka (Gurruchaga 1450, Palermo Soho). A perfect spot for lunch or merienda, just a few blocks away from Plaza Serrano, Baraka lies on a quite street art filled corner away from all the annoying craziness, with a rooftop terrace to intake some sun.

The restaurant / café serves not only extensive lunch menu, but also offers homemade freshly baked goodies like whole wheat breads, cakes, muffins, large tea selection and even organic coffee.  After searching far and wide, these one stop restaurant / cafés are incredibly hard to find.  The good restaurant serves shitty coffee flavored coffee and rock hard medialunas, and vice versa.

I am always skeptical to order a meaty dish at a café that specializes in sandwiches, salads and baked goods.  I urged my lunch date not to go there… man did he prove me wrong!  The bife de chorizo tastes just as good as any other parrilla, if not better because the dish actually includes a sauce, accompanied by a sort of grilled corn and pepper relish/salsa, with a hint of spice.  Move on to the twice baked potato, incredible… could be because I had low expectations… but the potatoes were spot on, mixed with melted cheese and perfectly cooked, slightly brown and crispy on the top.

I have tried many things here, and never have been disappointed. Above is the vegetarian sandwich – grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, red peppers) served with cheese (some special kind, I don’t remember what!), tomatoes, and fresh basil. All served on freshly baked rosemary and olive foccacia bread and a side of rosemary potatoes. Grilled veggie sandwich is a go-to order for me, believe it or not, it can be messed up.  I can’t complain about this one, the bread really made the sandwich.  The rosemary potatoes were just alright, nothing special.

Close up.The entire meals, with drinks and coffee, cost about AR$65 – not bad for Palermo standards.

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