BsAs4u Review: Esquina Carlos Gardel

Esquina Carlos Gardel is located on the street Carlos Gardel in the Abasto neighborhood, just around the corner from the statue of the singer himself. This building was previously home to restaurant and family-run hotel Chanta Cuatro, which opened in 1893 and was the meeting point of Carlos Gardel and his friends. Today, built and decorated like a 30′s cabaret theatre, complete with the luxury, refinement and glamour that the decade entailed, the venue takes you back in time to the golden era of Tango Buenos Aires.

Esquina Carlos Gardel’s doors open at exactly 20:30. Upon arrival, we were greeted by hostesses dressed in accordance with the 30s theme, who accompanied us to our allocated table. The dining hall is not particularly large, but it’s extremely neat and orderly, ensuring that all visitors are comfortable and preparing them for a more intimate show.

The glamorous dining hall of Esquina Carlos Gardel

The dinner at Esquina Carlos Gardel

As is usually the case at the Tango houses, dinner is served before the show. We had three options for the starter, main course and dessert, as well as the option of white wine or red wine; we chose red, for it seems to complement Tango perfectly! Interestingly, all the dishes are named after Carlos Gardel tangos and the menu features classic Argentinean food, such as bife chorizo ​​and dulce de leche. However, we decided to order something a little less typical this time; for the starter, we chose “Golondrinas” (salmon pate with citrus bread) and “Rubias de NY” (rolls of mozzarella stuffed with prosciutto and tomato), for the main “Sus ojos se cerraron” (grilled salmon in a yellow pepper and vanilla sauce) and for dessert “Amargura” (chocolate mousse).

“Rubias de NY” – rolls of mozzarella stuffed with prosciutto and tomato

“Sus ojos se cerraron” – grilled salmon in a yellow pepper and vanilla sauce

“Amargura” – chocolate mousse

The Esquina Carlos Gardel Tango show

The Tango show began promptly at 22:15, as we were informed when we arrived. The orchestra, dressed in black tie, is situated above the stage, where they play music to guide the dancers through the two-hour show. The show is composed of acts ranging from comedy to drama, which tell the story of Abasto’s fame at the time. There is a lead singer dressed as Gardel, who directs the whole story, and there are several other dance acts, some who dance to just the singer, others to just the orchestra. The costumes are highly detailed, a significant feature as it contributes towards the 30s feel that the place offers.

Esquina Carlos Gardel is an interesting experience for those who already know a bit about Tango and the story of Carlos Gardel, and for those who want to learn more about the cultural heritage of Argentina. It is a show that surpasses the “Broadway” style and creates intimacy and closeness with its audience.

The orchestra positioned above the stage

The Tango dancers on stage

Statue of the legendary Carlos Gardel in the hall

With so many Tango show options in Buenos Aires, choosing which one to go to can seem like a daunting task. For this reason, we suggest you take a look at the list of Tango shows on our website to see which best suits you and what is available during your stay in the city.

Written by: Anna Flavia de Castro – Social Media for Brasil

Translated by: Camilla Day – English Content Manager

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