Long-standing restaurant L’Atelier Bistro is celebrating two decades of refined French cuisine in the northern Buenos Aires neighborhood of Martínez, in the most elegant way: a five-steps menu, each one paired with a different, handpicked glass of wine.
Founded in 2004 by chefs Verónica Morello and Charly Forbes, L’Atelier Bistro was born as a tiny bistró in La Lucila, and moved to its current location on a quiet corner on Libertador Avenue in Martínez in 2012.
With a discreet facade, iron lanterns, and a chalkboard announcing the day’s specials, the place immediately evokes the atmosphere of a Parisian bistro. Inside, an intimate room with just thirty seats features white-clad tables, wooden floors, black and white photographs, a partially visible kitchen, and handcrafted tableware created by Verónica herself.
L’Atelier’s culinary offering blends French techniques with seasonal ingredients and a distinct signature. The soft texture of the foie gras pâté with greens and gingerbread is an evening-opener. What comes next are the chef’s original dishes, such as confit sweetbreads with apples, sweet mango chili, and spicy granola, or grilled octopus with avocado cream, matcha sauce, and crispy leeks. Fresh oysters, served three at a time, provide an elegant and minimalist alternative for seafood lovers.
The main courses include house classics that coexist with new explorations. The duck magret or confit, served with truffled purée, oyster mushrooms, and mushroom sauce, represents tradition at its finest, while the beef tenderloin with potato terrine and roasted vegetables combines rusticity and sophistication. Also noteworthy are the pancetta with fennel, hummus, and peach creole, with sweet and tangy notes, and the catch of the day with coral lentils, spinach, and smoked eggplant, where vegetables take center stage. Another must: the garlic prawns with crispy egg, an ode to Mediterranean flavors with an original twist.
L’Atelier Bistro’s crème brûlée
Desserts are a class apart. The chocolate fondant with warm sauce and caramelized walnuts is a surefire choice for cocoa lovers. There are also French classics like the crème brûlée with shortbread crisp and the profiteroles with ice cream and chocolate sauce. For those looking for more adventurous twists, there are options like roasted peaches with spiced crumble and ice cream, or quinces with caramelized Brie cheese and candied walnuts, which expand the universe of sweet treats.
Each course can be paired with a carefully curated wine list that features local production ranging from fresh sparkling wines and light whites (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Torrontés) to intense reds (Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Bonarda, Garnacha, among others). L’Atelier’s wine cellar also hosts special monthly events, featuring tastings and dinners featuring prominent Argentine wineries.
L’Atelier Bistró
Av. del Libertador 14520, Martínez
