Near the Argentine Supreme Court and Teatro Colon, Club del Progreso opened to the public following its 2009 renovation that returned it to a playground of BA’s rich and powerful. Today visitors arrive to the type of period French revival building that envision of Buenos Aires, busy with politicians and business elite in their European tailored suits that fill the taupe-gray lobby with its spiral staircase and white plaster detailing under a glass dome ceiling. The restaurant is divided between a main dining room with elegant oak paneling, shiny herringbone floors, 25-ft. tapestry and center-mounted marble fireplace that oozes of another time. The easily intimidated should seek-out the enclosed atrium that offers a more casual lunch service amongst colorful checkerboard floors with bistro charm.
The Food
A thoroughly Argentine menu begins with extensive wine list of regional wines and beers that’s a prerequisite to any capital city meal. Meals begin with traditional salted cod appetizer of fresh salad with generous hunk of imported cheese. Standout dishes include grilled calamari over homemade parpadelle, liver with cubed potato hash and short ribs over creamy garlic mash. Dessert includes homemade ice creams, chocolate tortes and local pastries that offer their own spin-off bar with casual high tea or afternoon coffee service during the week that caters to local offices and newspaper workers.
Last Word
Located in Tribunales, a mostly governmental neighborhood, Club del Progreso is a lunch and dinner supper club popular with BA elite exquisitely restored in 2009.
