The “Messi of Wines”, Alejandro Vigil, has opened an outpost of his Michelin Star Mendoza restaurant in Upper Buena Vista and it, too, is a winner. Also named Casa Vigil, the winery restaurant features a Mediterranean and Modern Argentinian influenced menu and a very good deal made for a celebration in its five course tasting menu with unlimited wines.
In the space formerly occupied by Vista restaurant, the 150 seats are divided into three spaces – La Cava main dining room with a wine cellar of more than 700 labels, El Patio outdoor terrace, two 12 seat bars, and, soon to come, El Cielo rooftop terrace. The service was good and friendly, and the ambiance attractive with its soft lighting and natural woods and greenery.
The menu is divided into empanadas,”by hand of god”, appetizers, meats, seafood, rice, vegetables, desserts and the highlight, the five course tasting menu with wine pairing (unlimited wine).We had the five course tasting menu which featured their signature dishes and wine pairing. The food was delicious, and the wines a perfect match, plus, you can repeat any of them if you wish. If you don’t want the tasting menu, you can order any of the dishes from the same tasting menu from the a la carte menu.
Our first dish was the buffalo burrata topped with a very tasty and elegant tomato confit paired with a Catena White Clay Semillon-Chenin Blanc 2020. Next up was our choice of empanadas, either fried with churrasco filling with chimichurri, or caramelized onion and spinach which we opted for. The empanada pastry was light and fine, and the fillings on both plentiful and flavorful. It was accompanied by a yummy tomato jam and served with Vigil’s own wine brand El Enemigo Bonarda “El Barranco” 2020. After a palate cleanser of cherry tomato gazpacho, we moved on to the entrees. I opted for the Chilean sea bass.
The sea bass was oh so fresh, complimented by a refined fennel broth with grilled red peppers. Mr. W had the 40 day dry aged braised Angus short rib served with mashed potatoes topped with guanciale. The grass fed meat was melt in your mouth tender and deeply flavorful. A friend had the ribeye and said it was tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked. Mr. W and I had the red wine selection, El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2019. We also had the fried artichokes on a pumpkin puree.
Dessert was Basque cheesecake topped with guava jam or a chocolate bombon with mango and beet powder puree. They were teamed with Rare wine Company Boston Bual Madeira. The cost per person was $140 which isn’t inexpensive, but besides enjoying the meal thoroughly, we both felt it was good value.
Other appealing menu items we’d like to try next time are the carabineros risotto ($48), grilled filet mignon chateaubriand ($72), the duck magret ($36) and the gamba roja carpaccio with salmon caviar.
Wine ,of course, is a main event. Never fear, they’re not all expensive. They offer rare wines, but also, accessible ones. A glass (6 ounces) starts at $15 and bottles at $58.
For a la carte dining, for a glass of wine each, two appetizers. two entrees and one dessert expect to pay about $175 plus service and tax.
Casa Vigil, 5020 NE 2nd avenue. They are open daily, serving lunch, dinner and brunch to come. There’s street parking, but not easy to find at dinner late in the week unless you come early, as we did, at 7 p.m. (lunch is no problem). What I do when I go to Buena Vista and have trouble finding parking, I park at one of the garages in the Design District, about a 12 minute walk.
And while you’re there in Upper Buena Vista, save time to check out the shops including a terrific vintage offering. For more, click here.
