Cabańa las Lilas is open for dinner at 8:00 in the evening, if I recall correctly, and I enjoyed dining at an outside table by the dique.

I have never had a problem with crowds or a choice of seating when I made my reservation for 8:00 in the evening, and the restaurant has never disappointed me. I enjoyed Cabańa las Lilas so much that I went three times!

Yes, I have experienced other parillas as well, recommended by Gaucho100K, and I enjoyed them also.

Even if it is cold outside, the powerful heaters will still keep you reasonably warm enough to enjoy dinner.

Service at Cabana Las Lilas has not been consistent -- nor great -- since 1999 (or even before) and I have always noted that to non-Argentine friends and family with whom I have gone there. However, the food has been generally consistent -- at least the lomo and the brochettes thereof, and the breads -- when I have been there or people very close to me. Have you been hearing things about the food slipping?

I still enjoy lunch there -- even more than dinner.

I must have encountered an anomaly at Cabańa las Lilas last year, as the food and the service that I received there all three times was absolutely and consistently excellent.

I wanted to try even more parillas than what I have already sampled in Buenos Aires, but the outstanding food and service — and convenience to the Hilton — kept me coming back to Cabańa las Lilas for more.

Again, perhaps I encountered an exception?...

What you say is not an exception, for the service is often good, even routinely. Perhaps, it is that I expect too much, as it's just that I have experienced it to be somewhat less consistent -- i.e., not always perfectly timely and attentive -- than its most consistently good food (which is far more consistent than any steakhouse I have frequented anywhere close to the same number of times that I've eaten at Cabana Las Lilas). [A couple of hundred meals there as I used to have lunch or dinner there daily on most every day of my numerous stays there.]

Those few occasions where there was a lack of timely and attentive service is one of my only two reservations about Cabana Las Lilas. [The other reservation is that they are not always great in hosting those who are waiting for a table -- when without a reservation or on the very rare chance that a party with a confirmed reservation is made to wait.]

Wow - she was excellent with us but I can see how she could be flaky. When we used her, she was right there waiting for us. However, during the ride, she received a couple of calls from some relative (brother in law, maybe?), who she had enlisted to pick up another party at the airport. We both speak spanish and were able to figure out that the relative had been running late and could not find the party he was supposed to pick up. So then she was trying to find the phone number for the party so that she could try to call them. All while driving us to the airport.

Hi to Gaucho ! and thanks for taking your time and effort to well inform
Argentina´s visitors . Have found in your posts very good info. for travelers.
Also found in this thread some visitors that post in Trip Advisor forum where I was one of the Locals experts. Not any more.

Will follow the forum from time to time to add my two cents.

Gaucho : I am not a wine expert, but enjoy a lot expensive Rutinis or Luigi Boscas Malbec´s ( for a splurge) , why are they (sometimes) available cheaper in USA than in Argentina ?...
What is you recommendation on a price range AR$ 10 / 15 for Malbecs ?

Santiagov

Does anyone have a recomendation for an apartment rental for Sept 06 for 9 nights? Thanks.

Any reviews for this resaurant?

Haven´t been to 1880, guia Oleo may provide some info. I wouldn´t rely only on their opinion but its a good start....
http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/detail.php?ID=1059
The area, nowadays tends to be packed with tourists (although some comments in guia Olea, by posters, say not), same happens to great La Brigada Parrilla in San Telmo, so I prefer and recommend La Brigada ( a branch....just 2) in Peńa St. And Pueyrredon. Same quality in a not SO touristy parrilla. José is a excellent waiter.
Meet is cut with fark and spoon ! Ask for "Tira de Asado".

Visitors may choose a top "Bife de chorizo"(best choice for real meet taste, especially when tender), "Ojo de bife" ( another great choice, sometimes marinated and tastin heavenly, always tender), or "Bife de Lomo", the most well known, not tasty but always tender meet cut, IF wisely smoked with dif. woods maybe very good, especially next day, eaten as a cold cut.

I second the suggestion by Santiago to use Guia Oleo as a tool for restaurants. Remember though, its only one of the tools in your arsenal.

Santiago,

It is true that some wines are available for less in export markets, but the devil is in the details. One must be sure to compare apples to apples as
most of the time the local market labels and the export wines are not the same.

I would rather give out wine recommendations over PM, so as to not take this thread too OT.

cheers
Gaucho100K

We've eaten at both restaurants when we were in BA in November 2004. Both were excellent. We did lunch at both and didn't find them touristy at all. We are going back in about 5 weeks and will go to at least one of them, but haven't figured out with one yet.

The annual Tango Festival occurs in February and March in Buenos Aires. It is something to check out either at Teatro Colon or even the outdoor showcases. It is from the 24th of February until the 5th of March or something like that.

Details are here: www.festivaldetango.com.ar

I insist that "La Brigada" in San Telmo is usually PACKED with tourists. Been there lately " suffered it " regarding getting a table with no reservation ( being a client from the other branch helped me getting a table inmedialtely while talking with the owner).
If you prefer a more quiet and more a neighbourhood Porteńo styled restaurant, go to La Brigada in Peńa Street ( and Av. Pueyrredon) and ask for my waiter Jose ( He is Tucumano, borned in the province of Tucuman, ask him how " fresh" Tucumán is in summertime )) , thou his English is = 0 ! ( He gets help from his fellow waiters).
Top Tira de Asado Especial with salad n fries, with Luigi Bosca Doc 2000 to wash out and a Creme Brule for desserts are my usual choices....

Someone mentioned finding Luigi Bosca in the US at good prices. Where? Thanks