Restaurant Spotlight: Casa Pasto
This is a perfect bare-bones modern parrilla for those looking for just the basics.
This past Sunday, looking for a place to enjoy before hanging around in Plaza Armenia in Palermo Soho, I made a reservation at Casa Pasto the same day for 2 pm. This relatively new spot makes for an excellent addition to this area. Most restaurants around the plaza are mediocre, and there is always a significant turnover due to the high rents this area commands.
Casa Pasto stands out with its unique focus on the essentials: grass-fed beef and organic vegetables. This approach results in a parrilla that is refreshingly simple. Appetizers include chorizo, morcilla, and mollejas (Sweetbreads). The menu features a selection of five cuts of meat and an equally enticing variety of vegetable dishes, including french fries. For dessert, you can indulge in the two Argentine favorites: Flan with dulce de leche and panqueque con dulce de leche. For drinks, complement your meal with a carefully curated wine list and a delightful array of signature cocktails.
Our family of four was pleasantly surprised when presented with four generously sized fried beef empanadas to start off our meal, a delightful welcome gift not listed on the menu. At the parrillas that partake in this custom, gifted empanadas are usually small and not served one per person. And the ones of this size on the menu at other parrillas cost around 2-3 dollars each. These A+ deep-fried meat empanadas were a delicious start to our meal.
After enjoying the empanadas, we ordered a chorizo, two meat cuts: Asado (Short Ribs) & Bife de Chorizo (NY strip), french fries, and a salad (Kale, arugula, and radish). After the empanadas, this was the perfect amount of food. If you are all adults, one meat cut per person wouldn't be too much. It would depend on how much chorizo, morcilla, or molleja you have beforehand.
The meat was fantastic and was some of the best Asado (short ribs) I have tried. I usually prefer grain-finished beef, but their grass-fed cuts impressed me. The french fries were a standout, perfectly fried to the classic thicker parrilla style.
To finish, we ordered both desserts. I did not like the panqueque de dulce de leche, as it had a burnt taste, but this was the exact reason my wife loved it. So it was definitely a case of "different strokes for different folks."
The inside space has a modern, spacious feel, with a nice amount of natural light coming in. It is not a big spot, with maybe 5 to 6 tables. The service was fantastic.
Interestingly, it is open only on Saturday & Sunday (according to Google Maps). I asked why, and it turns out that during the week, the restaurant turns into two separate and distinct "restaurants." On Wednesday and Friday nights, it turns into an Argentine/Japanese/Peruvian fusion restaurant called Nakuri Urinaki that serves a tasting menu of meat-based sushi. On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night, it turns into Asado Workshop, an interactive experience where you learn the secrets of how to make the Argentine Asado. I am particularly interested in going back for the Nakuri Urinaki sushi night. The Asado Workshop could be a cool experience, as it seems to be geared towards Argentines and not tourists.
Our bill came out to 86 USD equivalent. This included various waters and a bottle of wine in addition to the above-mentioned items. Not bad when comparing internationally.
Bottom Line: This is a perfect bare-bones modern parrilla for those looking for just the basics. It's a nice place to spend before or after enjoying Plaza Armenia on a Saturday or Sunday.
Casa Pasto
Open 12pm to 12am Saturday & Sunday.
Nakuri Urinaki on Wedensday & Friday nights
Asado Workshop on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights
Reservations here for both Casa Pasto and Nakuri Urinaki.
For Asado Workshop, it appears you send a message on whatsapp to the number on their Instagram.