A series of lonesome interior highways and gravel roads to the middle of the Uruguayan countryside results in the arrival to Garzon, the foodie haven that hit the international spotlight when Francis Mallmann opened his Garzon Restaurant & Hotel on the town’s main square. In a place where horses are still tied-up outside the local grocer, Garzon maintains its authentic charm despite becoming a foodie capital for restaurants like Lucifer and now D’Cepa that hopes to bring the art world to Garzon as well. Occupying a prime corner storefront on the main square, a wooden porch offers outdoor dining as well as an interior space of rustic country décor and wooden banquettes painted a faded blue. Artwork is strewn throughout the ceiling and walls with neighboring annex of curiosities and local artisans ready for their close-up.
The Food
Having forged his cooking prowess in Mallorca, this native Spanish chef dreams up a delectable menu of goat cheese salad with pears, Galician octopus with paprika reduction and crispy chicken with a bloody Mary shooter. Main course includes not-so-Uruguayan risotto with prawns and saffron, herbed salmon with pistachio and chicken stuffed with rosemary polenta that satieties without making an enormous foodie statement as at other local foodie landmarks.
Last Word
Art and cuisine merge at Garzon eatery that infuses a dose of modern art along the town’s main square.
