Traveling through food is the theme of Aires, the new Argentine restaurant in Monte Estoril. It opened its doors on December 15th and pays homage to the culture of the South American country in various aspects: from the diverse menu to the attire of the staff, and even the tango that echoes from the speakers.
With a sophisticated atmosphere and upscale cuisine, Aires serves the renowned cuts of Argentine meat but goes beyond the obvious, offering regional specialties—especially from the northern part of the country—that are hard to find in other places. In addition, the spotlight is on Argentine wines, which the owners import, often from small producers and specialized wineries.
The menu features three signature dishes. Humita Aires (€18) is a surprising specialty from northern Argentina made in a casserole with creamy yellow corn, tender white corn, quartirolo cheese, and a layer of black sugar brûlée sprinkled with cumin. It can be served as a shareable appetizer, for example.
The Patagonian Ribs (€28) consist of a braised double-cooked back rib, marinated for six hours in Malbec wine and finished in the charcoal oven. It is accompanied by grilled vegetables and toasted beetroot bread. Finally, Milanesa Aires (€28) is an Argentine sirloin steak in breadcrumbs, semolina, and Parmesan cheese, served with french fries, celery sauce, and tomato chutney.
Starting with the appetizers, which can (and should) be ordered for sharing, is perhaps the best way to experience the cuisine. Be sure to try the empanadas (€9), traditional or with "charqui gaúcho" meat, salted, dried, and shredded; provoleta, which can be classic (€10.50) or the one from Aires (€14), served with arugula, confit tomato, and ham shavings in a reduction of Coca Cola and Fernet Branca; creole chorizo (€9.50), served with homemade bread with chimichurri sauce; or the photogenic tamale (€8.50), in candy form, hiding "charqui" meat wrapped in yellow corn dough.
The menu includes traditional Argentine cuts (ranging from €26 to €32), which can be accompanied by Malbec mashed potatoes (€5.50), fire-roasted vegetables (€4.50), Patagonian mushrooms (€5.50), or rustic french fries (€4.50), among other options.
Finally, desserts. Dulce de leche is a must in Argentina and can be enjoyed with a serving of pancakes, served with cream ice cream and Mantecol crumbs and a chunk of peanut butter (€7); a flan pudding, with honey cane cream foam, sprinkled with toasted nuts (€7); or a trilogy (€7.50), including a cone, white chocolate from the Cabsha brand, and Maicenita cookies made from cornstarch. All with plenty of dulce de leche.
If you're a chocolate fan, try the chocotorta (€6.50), a cake made with chocolate and coffee biscuits, and also not without dulce de leche; or the Aires volcano (€7.50), made of dark chocolate with a white chocolate heart and ice cream.
The restaurant is owned by a lawyer who lived in Portugal for six years and fell in love with the country. "She always had the idea of opening a restaurant or hotel based on Argentine culture here," explains her sister-in-law, Gabriela Balbi, the manager of Aires. She ended up opening the restaurant with her brother, who is a chef.
"The idea is for people to feel like they're on a journey, for it to be an immersive experience in Argentine gastronomy and culture," describes Gabriela. "And we want this to be the first of many in Europe," she continues. With a capacity for 44 people, in the summer, they will have a terrace with an additional 10 seats for those who prefer to travel without leaving the table and outdoors.
Avenida São Pedro, 8, Monte Estoril