Vacation

Charlie and I took a much needed break from Restaurant life as we have now been open for one year. We decided to visit friends in Mendoza, Santiago, Chile, drifted down to our land in Southern Chile (Puyehue), and then headed to Bariloche, Argentina for a few days of visiting with great friends and relaxation before heading back home. As always, we drove. Now, round trip that is almost 6,000 kilometers, all in all a long way for only 10 days. Although, tired when we got home, we enjoyed our trip immensely.

We have passed through Mendoza but have never spent time there. This time, we stayed two nights and went to some great restaurants, swam in the hotel, and tasted some great wine. If anyone heads to Mendoza before or after Cafayate, I highly recommend dining at Azafrán (Av. Sarmiento 765 - Mendoza - a few blocks off of the main plaza). The popular and relatively small restaurant was completely booked the first night so we headed back the next day for lunch. Lunch was much more peaceful. After reading the menu, we thought it had some interesting items but nothing completley out of the ordinary (when we travel we always seek something out of the ordinary). I ordered a stuffed chicken and Charlie ordered ceviche and a cesar salad. To our complete delight, it was one of the best meals and pretty extrodinary! This was the first time in a long time (even with our recent trip back to Aspen) where we truly felt that the chef was an artist. Also, if you would like to experience a great wine tasting, go to Vines of Mendoza (www.vinesofmendoza.com).

Traveling to Chile is always a delight, the photo is one of the passes between Argentina and Chile in the high desert with the most pristine looking lake. Chile has one highway from top to bottom so if you really want to get somewhere, hop on Ruta 5 and put it on cruise control. Gas stations every 100k with restaurants attached. The only downside, toll booths, but a small price to pay for easy travel.

Crossing back in to Argentina is another story. I'm not sure how planning was done when building the roads in Argentina. It seems there is never a direct route and there are no signs, well except after you have turned! After hitting dirt roads, getting lost in towns since the road you were traveling on suddenly ends and picks up in some unknown location on another side of town, and enjoying the various police checks on the way, we were wanting to head back to Chile. Although, when it is all said and done, Argentina is a large country with so many landscapes! How else would we see what really is going on then by diving in and driving cross country through the smallest towns and obscure roads. If you have time to enjoy, nothing can be better than meandering through Argentina.

Beautiful Cafayate - Sunny day with clouds rolling in

It's 1p.m. and I'm sitting outside on the patio at Restaurante Colorado.  I just finished a fresh salad and am now playing on the computer watching as the afternoon clouds crawl in.  How can life be better?   It has been raining quite a bit lately, the Cafayateans say it is very strange. Being my first summer here, I have nothing to compare it to, but just as the day peaks its sunny hottnes, the clouds roll in and cool everything down with an afternoon shower and then the evening breaks the afternoon clouds and the stars shine bright for a perfect "fresca" evening.  Some say it's the best climate in the world.  I have yet to travel the entire world, so I hesitate to confirm this but I'll have to say, I have not been disappointed.  Even the amazing hail storm (again extremely rare) we had the other day was awesome in its severity.  Nature making sure we all understand who is really the boss.  Sadly, hail is a unwanted enemy of vines and vineyards and since we are in the middle of vineyard country, it is sad to see the leaves crushed and the almost harvestable grapes drooping on the vines, destroyed for this years harvest.  A small square of the town was hit hard; vineyards, flowers, and gardens alike.  With the rain though, the surrounding mountains, usually dry and more brown than green, are lush and rivers that are named seca (dry) for a reason are running high, at times almost kayakable.  Well, as time continues to eek closer to 2 p.m., it's time for me to enjoy one of the best (and at times frustrating) times in Argentina, siesta.