Bar Uriarte, in Palermo Viejo

Delightful dapper and quite chic, Bar Uriarte (Uriarte 1572, Palermo, 54-11-4834-60-04) occupies a long, narrow space on one of Palermo Viejo's most inviting cobbled lanes. Once inside, you'll discover a warmly lighted, handsomely outfitted restaurant with a long bar on one side and a couple of different dining areas - the one in back is quietest and best-suited to a romantic meal. It's not overstating things to call this one of the top few bar-and-grill venues in the city, and certainly one of the most stylish. Bar Uriarte has also become a highly sought-after locale for gay dates - the service balances knowledge and panache with friendliness and humor, and the food is superb. Few restaurants in the neighborhood show a more impressive list of wines by the glass and bottle, and the prices are quite reasonable. In the tony Recoleta district, you'd pay 50% for the same innovative regional Argentinean food (much of it prepared in a wood-fired oven) and vibe. Expect big crowds on weekends, when it's best either to arrive a bit early or expect to wait a little for a table.