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A Serious Eater's Guide to Buenos Aires and Beyond

Adios Resaca, Hello Maple Syrup: Magdalena’s Party Brunch

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What do classic soul jams, Bloody Marys and massive breakfast crepes have in common? Resto bar Magdalena’s Party weekend brunch offerings.  I remember back in the day when it was nearly impossible to find anything reminiscent of a good ole’ USA styled brunch – times have changed and bruncheando is a new local pastime (ranked right below waiting in lines).  This bar located on the corner of Thames y Costa Rica in Palermo Soho brings delicious breakfast favorites on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 4pm.

The menu is very reduced, only offering about 5 brunch dishes: two sweet, two savory and a healthy granola-fruit-blahblah-Iordersaladsondates-boring option (actually, just go home if you are ordering granola for brunch). On top of that they offer Bloody Marys, mimosas, organic coffee and the oh-so difficult to find chai tea.

It was that kind of morning where a Bloody Mary sounded like a spicy glass of heaven and this cure to the common resaca did not disappoint. Packed with liquid gold – real tomatoes, real spice and extremely fresh goodness, this version will be a strong contender in the Bloody Mary category of the Best of BA Awards, a fictitious awards ceremony that I just made up.

Onto the Belgian waffle (AR$30).  In good Argentine fashion this comes with butter, dulce de leche and whipped cream.  There is also the option to add blueberries, seasonal fruit compote ANNNND PURE Canadian maple syrup (adding an extra $5-$10 per topping).  I really wanted it with blueberries, but they didn’t have any fresh in stock (#TIA), so instead I had it with an apple compote and maple syrup.  I haven’t had maple syrup in months, so I was happy.

The waffle was light and delicious, reminded me of what I’d get in my favorite diner at home.  Cooked just right – soft and fluffy inside, slightly crunchy and chewy outside, all around tasty. I wish it had the option of an assortment of fresh fruit on top, or fruit of the day that could be substituted without an extra charge for the DDL and whipped cream – that way it won’t disappoint if there isn’t one ingredient in stock (arándanos), brings some more color to the plate, and a lighter option. OBVIO in a dream world there would be a maple syrup dispenser on the table with endless supplies of the sweet nectar, where I could hold the spout to my lips and drink. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Magdalena’s Cali Coast Omelette (AR$45), a thick crepe filled with eggs, ham, black beans and cheese – topped with pico de gallo, avocado and sour cream and served with a side of breakfast potatoes.  I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting the omelette to consist of a crepe and the thought scared me a bit, reminding me of the SNL “Taco Town” commercial.  But this one of a kind dish was quite good – unique, hearty and satisfying – the kind of food you want to shovel into your face after a long night out.  Insides all worked well together, especially with the pico de gallo and avocado… the black beans definitely made that a winning dish – the ham was a surprise since it wasn’t listed as one of the ingredients, but I enjoy being a bad Jew once in a while.

Despite the delish-ness, with my Great Depression Argentina Style mentality, no matter how tasty, it’s hard for me to fork over $45 pesos on one brunch dish.

Probably the least exciting out of the mix, the American Diner Special (AR$40): 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and toast.  One good thing is that you can change the toast for a pancake, a pretty large, fluffy, I-want-more-pancakes-right-now with a side of that crispy bacon. The bacon was BOMB, some of the best I’ve had so far in the panceta loving city.  The portions were a bit off – huge pancake, generous potatoes, about 1 or 2 small strips of bacon and 2 scrambled eggs.  Also, a bit pricey since a similar dish (but not as good) at Gringa or Oui Oui would cost around $25 – $30 and include coffee.

It doesn’t go unnoticed the small details that really make it extra special – bottles of Heinz ketchup on the table, imported chile habanero sauce, great funky music – all aiding to an overall pleasant brunch experience.  I’ll be back soon to try some more pancakes. If they add a few more things to the menu, dishes that don’t already exist in the city – like a delicious breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito (at accessible prices) – it could become THE hotspot brunch destination.

Author: ForkYou

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Comments

  1. Man, I was really psyched to try out Magdalena’s Party, especially after I heard good things about it (one person even claimed it was the BEST brunch in Buenos Aires), but I was sorely disappointed. The food was just super greasy and rather sloppily put together. The ambiance really isn’t very “brunch-y” feeling either…that horrid turquoise color and it’s so dark inside. And the service left much to be desired (ex-waitress talking here) I wouldn’t say it was the WORST I’ve had…(ever tried Muu? Ughhhhh, gross), but for me it wasn’t all it’s chalked up to be.

  4. Really good Bloody Mary?? As someone who doesn’t really eat much for breakfast other than a bagel with a schmear. . .a really good Bloody does indeed entice me!! Looking forward to checking it out.

    • Hi Ujima, Congratulations on your 4th Bday, hope you keep transmitting for aneohtr 40yrs.I’d just like to say a BIG THANK YOU for my brand new indesit washing machine, it works like a dream & it was just what I needed, so thank you very much.Keep up the good work and good music.Bev Green

  6. What a fantasy brunch!………..and to think I made 2 lousy pieces of French toast for my Sunday breakfast……

  7. Shit the bed, but that Bloody Mary looks great.

    Would they deliver it to my office?

  9. I tried this brunch and was awesome, the food was great and delicious. In my opinion everybody could have breakfast in lunch time and more if I’m talking about this place.
    In Magdalena’s party the plates are huge and they have an awesome bloody Mary and Maple Syrup
    It is so difficult to find a place in Argentina that knows how to do an American brunch like this place. I love it!!

  10. Breakfast? Noon to 4 pm? In my world, that’s lunch. Breakfast is what I eat when I wake up … to break the night’s fast. Of course, if one sleeps until Noon … . You probably mean brunch, that odd notion of mixing breakfast and lunch, then serving it at lunch time. It does look good, but by Noon, I am not looking for breakfast, which I will have already eaten a few hours before then, but for lunch. Is there anybody out there serving a breakfast like this at breakfast time?

    • Breakfast food is great all day long – breakfast for lunch, breakfast for dinner, who eats breakfast in the morning??
      What time do you eat breakfast? Randall’s recently opened on Malabia and serves American style breakfast starting at 6am, but in my opinion Magdalena’s Party is MUUUCH better.

      • I eat breakfast within a half hour or so of when I wake up, around 6 – 6:30. I try to be at work by 8:30. I eat a bowl of muesli with chopped fruit, a glass of orange juice, and coffee. Six hours later, I’m pretty hungry again. That seems to be the cycle of hunger my stomach works on – every 6 or 7 hours when awake. Which puts dinner at around 7 to 8 pm.

        The breakfast foods you picture here would indeed be fine any time of day, but if I could eat that at 6 or 7 a.m., I might not want to end again by lunch time.

        Obviously I am not living on a Buenos Aires schedule. I miss a lot, but it can’t be helped. I do the best I can with what’s available when I’m available.

        Randall’s has had such terrible reviews, I haven’t bothered to check it out.

  11. awesome post, putting it on my brunch list. I don’t understand why this country have over extended celery sticks that limps down onto the table. I just don’t get it (maybe they want us to be healthier..) :)

  12. i would kill for a breakfast sandwich! eggs-cheese-tomato-avocado on a biscuit or english muffin, GOOD MORNING ARGENTINA!

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