I am making my first trip to BA in 2 weeks and am wondering if anyone can tell me about licensed dealers in BA. I will be staying in the Marriott which I believe is in the Microcentro district on the Calle Florida. Also, any insight into proces given the exchange rate in our favor of 3-1. First post here so sorry if I have inadvertently not followed any protocols.

There is a LCDH near where you are staying on Calle Reconquista # 677. Not the greatest selection in the world, but they have the usual must smoke Cubans. They also distribute cigars to most of the finer restaurants in the city. One such restaurant that I highly recommend is Cabana Las Lilas--an excellent steak restaurant in Puerto Madero. There are some who do not like this place because they can find steaks elsewhere at a cheaper price and because Puerto Madero is a newer, homogenized area of town...nevertheless, the steaks at Cabana Las Lilas are outstanding (order the ojo de bife, ribeye) along with a nice bottle of Malbec, at an outdoor table overlooking the water and then head inside to the bar where you can select a nice Cuban from their humidor and wash it down with a glass of Havana Club 7 year old rum. Other restaurants I highly recommend include Sucre, Bar Danzon, Piegari, and Casa Cruz.

I would also highly encourage you to check out the Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood areas. Very funky part of town (think along the lines of Soho in NYC). Lots of tree lined streets with hip restaurants and boutique shops.

Thanks for the tips. Las Lilas was definitely on my list. At most of the nice places what am I looking at per person for a nice steak and some Argentinian wine?
Also, what might I expect to pay per stick on a nice smoke there? Just not sure how much of a benefit I will get from the exchange rate.

Cabana Las Lilas will be one of your more expensive meals...I believe you should be out of there for +/- $40 - 50 USD for a steak, salad, and 2 glasses of wine--for perspective, about 1/2 the price you would pay for a comparable meal at a NYC steakhouse. Word of caution: they will put down an appetizer plate at your table when you first arrive (called "couvert") and wil charge you for it, it is not complimentary. If you like what you see and decide to keep it, I belive it runs around $ 8-9. In fact, the "couvert" plate is quite common at many other restaurants as well. Other than that, most places you should be looking at $25, on average, for an outstanding meal...maybe $30-35 tops. I happened to like the food very much in Buenos Aires...the other places I recommended are outstanding as well and vary in cuisine (i.e. not just steak.....Piegari is outstanding Italian and is located near the Four Seasons Hotel...another good Italian option closer to your hotel--though not as good as Piegari--is Filo).

Figure on $ 12 - 15/stick (not including Cohiba or a Double Corona).

Your best values will be in hotels and dining. A couple of real nice boutique hotels you should definitely check out (perhaps if you like the city and intend a return trip) are in the Palermo area--Bobo Hotel and Home. In fact, Bobo Hotel has an excellent restaurant and bar.

P.S...if you are bringing a wife or girlfriend, they will really enjoy checking out the boutique/clothing shops in Palermo--just ask a taxi to drop you off in the main section of Avenida Gurruchaga in Palermo.

Thanks for the advice. Wife and I leave on the 7th and are looking forward to it. Especially looking forward to the food and wine at a great exchange rate. Seems that the sightseeing is not as important a part of the visit as it would be in Europe so I am planning on sampling alot of wine and food.

Oh no, there is plenty to see....the architecture is phenomenal (especially the national water bottling company building), you should definitely plan on taking a tour of the Opera House, museums, it is a great walking city with plenty of parks and trees, and--if you can--check out San Telmo on a Sunday afternoon for outdoor tango (safe during the day, a little more caution needed in this section of town at night)--if not, you should catch tango though I prefer in one of the smaller club venues.

Most people spend most of their time in the Recoleta area--why I am not sure....tourist trap that overlooks a cemetery. Again, I would highly recommend the Palermo area--it's where the locals live and play.

Have a nice trip dude, Bueones Aires is one of my dream destinations.

I also remember some guy telling me that the exchange rate for dollars in Argentina was so high that he bought Cohibas at $7 each. I don't know if they were authentic or not, but the guy wasn't a noob.

quote:

that overlooks a cemetery

Hello Live in Bs. As. There are lot of places to visit. If you want good meat you should visit a place in San Telmo call "LA BRIGADA" small place you need to call first for booking. Palermo is very nice, full of restaurantes. Recoleta is expensive because of the Tourist. If you want to smoke a Great place is the Oak Bar of the Hyatt. Great drinks there.

check this website, is a guide of restaurantes.
www.guiaoleo.com

The cubans cigars are really cheap, because of the Exchange. 1 dollar = 3.20 Pesos.

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure = 15 dollars.

It´s difficult to found fake cigars.

Hope you enjoy Bs. As. Any doubt contact me.
Sorry for my english.

Federico

And when going home, there is a small LCDH in the duty free section of the international airport with a very comfy smoking lounge. You don't have to buy anything to use it & will be offered some free conjac. Very civilized, while the ciggie smokers are confined to a small plexiglass room that look like an aquarium!