Reliquia Restaurante — Restaurant in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

Tonight, in the company of a close companion, we set out in search of a more intimate dining experience—something distinct from the usual vibrancy and noise of Palermo Hollywood’s bustling restaurants. After some brief research through the Michelin Guide and Google Maps, we discovered Reliquia, conveniently located near our stay in Palermo. The reviews spoke highly of its refined cuisine and quiet atmosphere, which aligned perfectly with our expectations.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a modestly sized and very private dining space. The interior embraced a minimalist aesthetic—some may interpret it as elegantly simple, others perhaps as lacking warmth or personality. Personally, I found it unintrusive and aligned with the restaurant’s discreet nature.

Service was prompt and efficient, reminiscent of a brunch spot rather than a high-end dinner setting. The staff remained clustered near the open kitchen, which allowed the space to feel organized yet not overly staffed. That said, for a venue noted by the Michelin Guide and aiming for a more curated experience, I found the service could benefit from greater attentiveness—suggesting pairings, walking us through the dishes, explaining the wine selections, or simply ensuring everything was to our liking. While the pricing was modest and not in the realm of fine dining, a touch more polish in hospitality would have elevated the experience significantly.

The menu was concise and deliberate, offering a limited selection of entrées, mains, and desserts. This clearly suggests a focus on specialization rather than variety—an approach I can respect. Vegetarian options were present, though limited, and meat offerings centered primarily around duck and ribeye. Given Argentina’s culinary reputation for meats, the selection felt somewhat underwhelming, though perhaps reflective of the kitchen's specific culinary vision.

Our meal began with a selection of vegetable-based starters which were satisfactory, though not particularly memorable. Interestingly, the standout was the bread and butter—perfectly baked, with a rich flavor profile that’s seldom achieved. For the mains, we ordered both available meat options. While I did not personally try the duck, the consensus between us was consistent: the dishes were well-executed, savory, and composed with care, but ultimately fell short of being remarkable. The flavors were pleasant but lacked a defining note to distinguish them from offerings at similarly priced or even more casual establishments.

Desserts offered a bit more promise in terms of variety, with the parfait standing out, though again the overall impression was one of adequacy rather than excellence.

Despite this, the warmth and speed of the service, combined with the restaurant’s quiet, intimate setting, delivered exactly the ambiance we were hoping for. If you're seeking a calm, private dinner in Palermo without the noise of trendy hotspots, Reliquia is a respectable choice. For the food alone, it’s an experience worth having—but perhaps not one I’d feel...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this Michelin-starred restaurant in Buenos Aires, and overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. The food was exceptional, showcasing a level of culinary expertise that truly justifies its Michelin star. The staff were attentive and welcoming, providing excellent service from the moment I made my reservation.

As for the dishes, I had the chance to try several, and while many were impressive, a few stood out. The oysters, in particular, were a highlight: fresh, delicate, and beautifully prepared. Another dish that really won me over was the fennel purée, which, although paired with the day's catch, was the true star of the plate. The purée itself was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. On the other hand, the fish didn’t have the same impact — it was good but didn’t leave a lasting impression.

The squid, unfortunately, was one of the dishes that didn’t excite me. It was one of the least memorable offerings of the meal. As for the tomatoes, they were fine — well-balanced in flavor but nothing extraordinary. The bread was also fine, though I had expected more given the rave reviews I had seen. While it complemented the meal, it didn’t stand out as exceptional.

One area where I believe the restaurant could improve is in the distribution of cutlery and tableware during the service. I noticed that the utensils weren’t changed between courses, which led to flavors mixing between the dishes. This impacted the overall experience, as each course should be enjoyed without contamination of flavors. I had to request a change of utensils, and I think it would greatly enhance the dining experience if the restaurant implemented a more consistent practice of changing cutlery between dishes. This would allow each dish to be appreciated in its full, untainted flavor.

Additionally, I was surprised that the restaurant doesn’t allow pets indoors. While I understand the challenges this may present, I think it’s an outdated policy, especially for a modern, high-end dining establishment. Many guests, like myself, travel with their well-behaved pets, and offering pet-friendly options could create a more inclusive environment, catering to a broader range of clientele. I hope the restaurant will consider revisiting this policy, as it could reflect a more progressive approach and enhance the experience for pet owners.

In conclusion, while the food and service were top-notch, I believe small adjustments in the overall experience — particularly in terms of presentation and accommodating pets — would elevate this restaurant...

Mediocre. Lazy service. When we came, no one greeted us, although the hall was almost empty. The waiters use the toilet with the guests. And this toilet was not cleaned even once during the evening. We took tartare, rillette, rib eye and duck. Only tartare can be called tasty. Everything else is quite average, as for the duck, it was frankly bad, a strong taste of old sunflower oil in it, we did not understand this. There was a lot of uncut fat in the steak. It does not seem that people cooked it with understanding. We waited for the second appetizer for about 15 minutes, there was a feeling that they simply forgot about it. Also, the waiters absolutely did not care whether you liked the dish or not, which also suggests that this is not a restaurant, but more of a snack bar, of which there are plenty here. In much more budgetary places, the staff is much more involved in the process of serving the client. The furniture is terrible - steel chairs are the height of cheapskate. Usually, when you book a table, normal place write about a 10% discount right there. Here we asked ourselves. And then when paying, when we said that we would pay in cash, they still brought us a bill without a discount. We had to ask again. Not to mention that there are clearly cases of manipulation with checks and payments here. Absolutely not worth the time...