La Esquiva, Traditional parrilla restaurant in Quilmes, Argentina
La Esquiva is a grilling restaurant in Quilmes, in the greater Buenos Aires area, that cooks meat exclusively over an open wood fire. The menu centers on classic Argentine cuts served straight from the grill.
The technique of cooking over a wood fire traces back to the 19th century, when gauchos on the pampas cooked meat directly over embers. That practice was carried into the towns and suburbs of Buenos Aires over generations and remains unchanged in its basics.
La Esquiva embodies the Argentine tradition of asado, where the act of grilling is itself a communal event and not just a cooking method. Guests often linger at the table while the meat cooks slowly over the fire and conversation unfolds at its own pace.
The restaurant is open in the evening, in line with the local habit of eating dinner late. Booking ahead is a good idea, especially on weekends when tables fill up quickly.
The name La Esquiva translates roughly as "the elusive one" or "the evasive one" in Spanish, giving the place a playful identity that has nothing to do with what is on the grill. Regular customers often use the name as a conversation starter when recommending the spot to newcomers.
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