An Edible Voyage

January 2020 Mate is another big thing in Argentina.    Whether you’re walking down a city street, relaxing in a park or embarking on a hike, you’ll see locals clutching a mate cup in one hand and a thermos in the other.    This is the drink that never ends - the tea leaves are continuously topped up with the thermos.    But what happens when the thermos is empty I hear you say? Never fear! There are vending machines and street stalls designed solely for the purpose of topping up your thermos in exchange for a few pesos. I was excited to try this as the cups are very pretty, with ornate decoration, and the straw doubles up as a filter so you don’t suck up the tea leaves.    Sadly, I wasn’t a fan of the incredibly strong and bitter green tea taste, but it was fun to try it. Where to try it?    The problem is, that because everyone owns a mate cup, and because it’s generally a social experience – a cup is passed around for everyon...

January 2020 Colonia is a super cute town with a Portuguese vibe, and I highly recommend popping over from Buenos Aires for lunch – it’s only an hour on the ferry across the Rio de la Plata.  With cobbled streets, trees bearing brightly coloured flowers, pastel painted buildings, and the air filled with birdsong, it’s a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. Where to go and what to have? For a sophisticated lunch, head to Charco Bistro.  On a cobbled lane, overlooking the river, the vine covered conservatory has an inside/ outside feel and serves modern interpretations of local staples.  Go for the sweetbreads – every bite a complex melange.  The rich meatiness of the sweetbreads themselves, caramelised to give a contrasting texture, the spicyness of the soft and sticky black pudding and a refreshing sliver of pear (I was disappointed to see such a thin slice, but the flavour did come through).  There w...