Andrea, I did that for the little place I arranged for some of us on our last cruise in Montreal. And they wrote back that there was a prix fixe 3 course dinner for a reasonable price.

Would love to have some idea of pricing; trip advisor raised a flag. Current exchange rate is around 4.29 pesos per dollar.

edited to correct exchange rate

Prices would be nice, but not absolutely necessary. I was under the impression that food in BA isn't terribly expensive (unlike Sydney which was crazy!).

Yes, South America is usually much less expensive than say, crazy Sydney. But when I am organizing a group dinner, pricing and value really make me more careful than I would normally be. On Trip Advisor, some comments were that it was really expensive, and that is really in the eyes of the payor. Many of those critics are from BA, and to them, it may be expensive and to us it is reasonable, but I never saw prices. I'm sure you all will have a great time! This is not a group that is going to quibble about paying $10-20 more per person for a fun night.

I noticed that on Frommer's that one of the main courses was a 2 1/2 pound sirloin. The prices for mains range from $8-40 per person. So, if everyone is a piggy and orders that 2 1/2 pound sirloin, it could get pricey! Now, if we split it...it becomes NY prices. Even at $40, it is Morton's pricing.. what we expect for a US steakhouse and 2 1/2 pounds...expensive, but understandable.

$40 per person...great :)

$100 per person . . . not quite as great ;)

Count us in no matter what :D

:lct:

We ate at the El Mirasol Recova location and I remember it being very reasonable - that was five years ago so the exchange rate may be different.

The Recova location is near the Four Seasons - easily walkable for those of you staying at the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, although the Puerto Madero location is certain to be more scenic.

We are fine with where ever we go. Just had dinner at Ruth Chris. Couldn't be more expensive than that. Other side of story is that it just opened in Asheville and we got invited for a soft opening so we didn't pay. Recova location sounds good. Travel lag will have set in by than. Realize that N_S is not as bad but that many hours breathing recyled air and trying to sleep in a seat is never good for old bones.

Marc, entrees ranged from 8-40...with appetizers, drinks, desserts, (tip/tax if any), we could be talking $100 per person.

Marc, entrees ranged from 8-40...with appetizers, drinks, desserts, (tip/tax if any), we could be talking $100 per person. We will go anywhere with the crowd. Any location is fine.

Can't believe how hard it is to get a handle on the cost of this & many other restaurants!
Note to food bloggers: prices matter

Anyway, I managed to find (on line) someone who ate (dined?) at El Mirasol recently. (so many reviews are old.)
He stated that din-din for 2 w/ 3 courses & a bottle of wine was $80 CAD.

So, let's go for it! Everyone agree?
How many are we? could be a large group. Andrea? want to book the table? assuming you know how many.

Doug

Seriously - I can't believe how hard it is to find information!! I haven't even heard back from the FS concierge. I think we will have 14 people. I'll make the reservation for as early as I can. Is everyone okay going to Puerto Madera? My friend says it's about a 10 minute cab ride from the FS and PH. We can go to the Recova location too if that's easier.

Puerto Madera location is better for us.

Either one is fine.
Surely the concierge at the FS must have pricing info.

I sent an email to him this morning but haven't heard back. I will crack the whip tomorrow

Either location fine with us. Thank you, Andrea

I have the menu! I believe the exchange rate is 4.3 pesos to a dollar.

Their website is http://www.elmirasol.com.ar/en
Puerto Madero is newer and the boardwalk along the waterfront is trendy and interesting. Wine will be very inexpensive.

Andrea, thanks. Are those prices are in USD instead of Argentinian pesos?

See you in less than two weeks!

Marc,
Prices are in Argentine Pesos - they use the $ sign for their pesos.

I hope not Marc - then it is pricey!! I believe they use $ as their currency symbol too.

Then prices aren't bad at all; Rocky Mountain Oysters for around $5 US. ;)

Jim, is it safe to walk up the boardwalk at night? As far as I can tell, to get to restaurant from Hilton we just cross the bridge and then walk up boardwalk for three long blocks.

Thanks, Andrea.

Yes, the prices are in pesos. Note the 8 peso pp charge at the bottom of page one. I'm told that this is very normal in BA.

Does anyone know if taxes are included?

Doug

I believe taxes are included. The 8 Peso pp is standard and is for place setup. Marc, the boardwalk is entirely safe to walk at night. It's a former shipping warehouse area on the river that's been converted to a trendy area with lots of restaurants, nite clubs and shops. It's clean and well lit and an enjoyable walk after dinner. If you get there around 7 to 8 pm you can get right in because locals don't go out to eat until 10pm or later.
Jim

Yes, I saw that. Like the cover charge in Europe. I believe standard tipping is 10%, a little more for outstanding service, although from my friend who is from BA, we may not see that at all!

Over 2 1/2 pounds of tenderloin for under $50 is not bad at all ;)
I think we will eat very well. Thanks for getting the info Andrea.

It is funny how restaurant norms differ around the world.
I remember seeing a small charge on a bill in Spain many years ago only to be told that it was for the bread and knives & forks!
It seems that in BA, a charge for the silverware is the norm. Of course, 8 pesos is less than $2US.
I believe that the tax (VAT) is included in the menu price.
Andrea is correct. Everything I read seems to indicate the tips are about 10%. But I have also read that tips are expected to be in cash. So a trip to the ATM seems to be part of everyone's day!

Tips for Taxis appear to be just rounding up. BUT, everyone warns of taxi rip-offs. Longer than needed trips seem to be the most common. So, know where you are going.
Also, try to have exact change AND count it out to the driver. Seems a common scam is to 'drop' a large note, retrieve a smaller note & tell you you shorted them. This actually happened to me in Hong Kong!

Remember to advise your Credit Card company that you will be traveling. Don't want to have your card shut down because you charge something in BA & they think it is fraud.

Can't wait! Doug

Don't look for Polar Bears in Antarctica...

Love the hand bag!

I finally read cruise docs today. They mention that there is a free email address but they don't say what it would be. I would like to leave an email address with the office; does anyone know the format of the included email address?

thanks

Marc:

Contact Silversea. I'm sure that they can give you the details. Just make sure that it isn't like Regent's email where you get charged by the page or Mg.
& ask what the out-going msg might cost.
I figure that our ship board credit will go for internet access anyway! So, you might just want to go that way with your own email address.

see you soon!

Doug

Everyone knows about the reciprocity fee they have to pay when entering Argentina, right?

Marc you will not need that Silversea email address - Regent has that too but none of us use that. They have a full computer room set up and your family can email you as they would normally. You will have email in Ushuaia and the Falklands for SURE so you can email them the email address if you think you are going to need it.

WE have had email on ALL our Antarctica sailings I think there is a satelite right over the peninsula because of all the Antartica stations. Not always speedy but usually available.

If there is any major emergency you can contact my office too and they would help your family get word to you on the ship.

Ngaire, thanks.

Thanks for the reminder, Andrea. That $140 will be our welcome charge to our credit cards. Since it's good for 5 years, that would give us reason to return soon!

Ok, I hope I'm not just being dense but is the one carry-on 11 lb. limit for the charter flight just that one bag or is it like here in the US where you get one carry-on and one personal item? In other words, can I bring my roll aboard and a small backpack or just one of those?
I'm trying to get my packing figured out and between having some things in Houston and some in Dallas, I'm going a little crazy.

Lauri, You are not being dense...I have the same question.

It would depend on how they enforce the policy but the written message from SilverSea is fairly clear. "Each guest is limited to one (1) carry-on of not more than 5kg etc.

I am reading that we might have difficulty with more than one item. It seems that this is a Lan Argentina flight. Lan Argentina is an affiliate of LAN. I think this airline only flies within Argentina.

I think some of our jacket pockets are going to be full.

The bummer will be that we all strive to comply but when we board the plane it is clear some have more than one bag and it weighs more than the 11 lbs. I would not want to chance checking anything of value, so glad I have Brayden to off load stuff to. My experience is that a back pack usually does not look that heavy and is not weighed so we should be able to get by with say 15 lbs.

The big question of the day is "

Is Ngaire going to carry on some of Kens camera equipment.

I went over to the LAN Argentina site and it lists our charter flight as one of their regularly scheduled flights between BA and Ushuaia. The luggage allowance on a regular LAN flight is one carry-on up to 17 lbs. plus a personal item. So why on this exclusive charter are we being limited to less?
This is quite confusing and strange to me.