El Mesón — Restaurant in Municipio de Purmamarca

A Culinary Oasis: Where Flavors, Music, and Ambiance Enchant

In the heart of Pumamarca, lies an extraordinary establishment that transcends the boundaries of traditional dining. As we entered, we were instantly captivated by the enchanting ambiance that embraced us. The air was filled with the melodic tunes of Spanish and French songs, intermingled with exotic tribal music, creating a mesmerizing symphony that accentuated the beauty of the space.

Our culinary journey began with the starters, a tantalizing preview of the culinary wonders to come. The quinoa salad with goat provolone and the eggs with charqui and watercress emulsion ignited our taste buds with their delicate flavors and harmonious textures. We knew we were in for a treat.

The main courses arrived, and they were nothing short of extraordinary. The succulent cabrito asado al horno de barro, lovingly cooked in a clay oven, transported us to a realm of gastronomic bliss. Each tender bite was a testament to the skill and passion of the chefs who expertly crafted this culinary masterpiece. Accompanying it was the guateado, marinated beef ribs that were grilled to perfection, infusing every morsel with a symphony of flavors that delighted our palates.

Beyond the culinary delights, the space itself was a work of art. The ceiling and bar, adorned with planks made from the cardón cactus, honored the natural beauty of the region. The white Adobe walls exuded a rustic charm, while the exposed wood beams overhead seemed to whisper stories of the mountain village's history. The red terracotta tile floor and simple wooden accents, including the adorable woodstove, added warmth and a sense of authenticity. Potted plants lined the three-paneled wooden-framed windows, bringing a touch of nature indoors.

As we savored our meals, we couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the soul of the place. It was clear that every detail, from the perfectly executed dishes to the meticulously designed space, was crafted with love and devotion. This was more than a restaurant; it was a sanctuary where flavors, music, and ambiance intertwined to create an unforgettable experience.

Our culinary journey reached its crescendo with the desserts, tantalizing our senses with their exquisite flavors. The torrija, adorned with chamomile flowers, danced on our tongues, while the warm pear tart, infused with white chocolate ganache and the essence of airampo, took us on a sweet and satisfying adventure.

In conclusion, our visit to this culinary oasis was a true sensory delight. The divine flavors, the enchanting music, and the meticulously designed space wove together a tale of culinary excellence and heartfelt artistry. We traveled 11 000km to visit Argentina, this meal alone made the...

Oh My God! What a disappointment!! The food was not bad, unfortunately the service really ruins the experience! They charge U$50 for a 2 people dinner. Yes, it's a fixed price so everybody is paying U$25 per meal. This doesn't include drinks. And they don't offer wine by the glass. So if one of you doesn't drink you are stuck with having to buy a whole bottle for only one person, RIDICULOUS! They only have about 8 tables in the place and 3 wait staff, neither of whom were able available or checking on our table. They took our order as if they were clerks at a bodega. Absolutely no personality, no warmth, no customer service what so ever! She even had the nerve to point out that the sad 3 little pieces of bread they gave us were "Complementary". I mean, seriously? Isn't that the case in every restaurant? Geezzzz! The whole demeanor of the wait staff was very off putting. The service was slow and the dishes didn't come together. I mean why? They only had 6 tables occupied. Why couldn't they bring the meat along with the garnish? Well, they didn't. And the waitress didn't even bother to let us know that the potatoes were coming soon. By the time they arrived we were already half way through our meat and with the unpleasant feeling that "meat" was all we were getting. The food is not bad. I can tell that they have a good chef, talented. But I would never recommend this place based on the hostility and coldness of the staff. When you go out to eat, you go for the "Experience" not just the food. We had a much better time at a different place around the corner where the owner would greet us at the door with a big smile and welcoming disposition. They did a really nice job making us feel at home. But NOT at the...

We're big foodies so when we saw the reviews for this place we were blown away but unfortunately we weren't blown away by the place at all.

Let's start with the good; the ambience was great. It was the quaint little place with details of their landscapes around (like dead cactus for a bar or lamps).

Now let's face the bad. We were greeted by Noelia and told we needed to read the menu before sitting down...and then she double checked once again that we knew it was $5000 pesos for a fixed course. Once we said yes, twice, we were allowed to sit. Servers (Noelia & one other woman) were kind but when we requested a traditional gin and tonic, not one with hibiscus, they said they have their own way of making the drink... Yes, but can't you also do a traditional one with lemon? It's actually easier.

With my dairy intolerance I look for dishes without it and I think all but one had dairy. Let's top it off with the fact that when I wanted the one thing that didn't have dairy packed for take away they returned it in a plastic and paper bag...why would you not have containers for individuals to take something home?

$14,000 pesos total or $46.50 USD total so overall, for Samm it's cheap but definitely...