El Almacen
557 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 218-7284
El Almacen is a lovely, bistro-style, Argentinean joint with really yummy charcoal barbecue meats and a back terrace, which is the spot you should request in your reservation. The wine list is short and sweet like this blog. My Rioja was great with the food and the Chardonnay was delicious. There is only one fish on the menu and it’s Tilapia, which was a great excuse for me to gorge on some red meats. The waitress recommended the braised short ribs, so I got them and they were definitely tender and flavorful- a nice portion for a tiny girl like me, but kind of small for $17. I also had a side of avocado fries- which are literally, slivers of avocado, deep-fried and they are awe-some. All the sauces, Chimichurri and otherwise are delicious so I will keep coming back even though the prices are steep.
The ambiance at El Almacen is good. It’s a little dark but in the summer with the doors and patio open, there’s some light and breeze coming through and I’m almost tempted to come back just to drink at the bar. If the bartender is good and lively and they bring in an acoustic musician, this place is going to battle it out with Fada just down the road. Right now, it’s brand new and they need to find their bearings.
There is one Argentinian beer on the menu, Quilmes, which the waitress described as the ‘Budweiser’ of a country that doesn’t even drink beer. It’s like drinking water. Skip it and get a Stella!
Rochelle Fainstein
