Restaurant File: Buenos Aires

Faena Hotel + Universe's fine dining restaurant is an extraordinary white leather, red-carpeted Philippe Starck affair. It's ornamented with enormous chandeliers and kitschy-cool unicorn heads. If Marie Antoinette had ruled after the age of post-modernism, this would probably be her favorite restaurant. Challenging global cuisine delivered by considerate servers is the order of the day.

Few tourists know about this charming French bistro, tucked into a small space down a pedestrian shopping arcade. You have to press a discreet buzzer to gain entry and once you do it feels you've stepped into the living room of a gracious, ambitious host. The food is divine—try the 200 peso (about $64) tasting menu for nouveau cuisine that you can't get on a grand scale.

This clubby steakhouse deserves all the fame that comes its way. Of course, that means it's typically swarming with tourists. Set in a huge loft-style space, the steak is, simply put, awesome. There's a chance it could convert a vegetarian. Don't forget to order proveleta (grilled cheese sin pan) and the pancakes with dulce de leche. If there's any complaint I have, it's that I can't get enough of their food.

Come here for a masterclass in contemporary Argentine dining. The chefs take local produce, meats and seafood on a gastronomic trip around the globe. In a country of big flavors and very big steaks, the detailed, nuanced tastes, presentation and textures at Sucre are a welcome relief. Sleek interiors and the see-and-be-seen ambience make this a fun nightspot.

The menu here is nouveau Argentinian and international. Score a table on the inviting patio or in the intimate loft space. Wherever you land, there's a hushed ambiance that permits you to focus on the exquisite cuisine. The chefs here don't shy from complexity in dishes such as duck with grilled pumpkin. As you would hope, there's a fabulous and extensive wine list. If you're not in the mood for an epic splurge, pay a visit in the afternoon. They offer a delightful tea service and meals designed as simplified versions of the evenings' coup d'oeuvres.

A pillar of Scandinavian greatness looms large in Buenos Aires. Odd though it may sound, this mecca of smoked fish, caviar and plenty of vodka is a bustling hotspot. The menu is great and it's brilliant value to boot—I had caviar and blinis, an entrée, dessert, and two drinks for a paltry $25! The atmosphere is hip but comfy—not hipper than thou.

For a snacky lunch when you are shopping in Palermo Soho, this is a seriously super spot. The white oversized couches, floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful people give you the sense that it's been transplanted from downtown Manhattan. Go for the great sandwiches and salads.