Steakhouses come and go in Kuwait, and the only concepts that stay forever imprinted in our memories are those that are born out of passion. La Brasa, located on the basement floor of the Dar Al-Awadhi complex in Sharq, perfectly embodies this very premise. What first began as a passionate hobby for Argentineans Gustavo and Silvia Ferrari eventually evolved into a fully-fledged parrilla or grill. Any given visit to La Brasa is guaranteed to be abundant with fantastic vibes and traditional Argentine delicacies.
For more than twenty years, the Argentine-born and Kuwait based couple have been expertly practicing the methods of traditional Argentinean cuisine, simply perfecting the art of how to treat a beautiful piece of meat and serve it up with plenty of ‘buena onda’ (good vibes). They’ve served up their style of cooking to family, friends, as well as dignitaries and diplomats; anyone who knew the Ferraris, or sampled Silvia’s Chimichurri, always urged the couple to open up their own restaurant. They prepare their food with such unequivocal passion because they regard their cooking methods as a time-honored tradition that is emblematic of their culture. When they finally decided to take the plunge and open up their own little haven where others could enjoy the rewards of their love, both Gustavo and Silvia wanted to deliver a purely authentic experience and they are certainly succeeding to do so with La Brasa.
From the moment you enter the restaurant’s space, you will either see Gustavo behind the main counter located toward the back end of the restaurant, or he might visit your table as you are thoroughly enjoying your meal to check to see if everything is according to your taste. He’s a lovely man, yet his pride for the grill is undisputable. He can teach you about the art of the grill, how to prepare certain cuts of meat, and how they should be consumed. If you’re a novice carnivore, then you’re in the best of hands. If you think yourself the beef guru – then you will definitely enjoy listening to him speak about the process and how Argentine beef is different. Besides the wonderful reception provided to us by our host, we couldn’t help but notice the rustic décor, telling the story of the Argentine Gauchos of the Pampas and how this tradition has delivered us with Argentinean grass-fed and free range beef – you will instantly taste the difference between this natural beef and corn fed alternatives upon trying it. You can see the perfect marbling on the filet, and a typical order of breaded beef brisket Panne (pan-fried) will surely change your outlook on how beef should be consumed! You can enjoy a glass of red or white wine, non-alcoholic of course, with your meal, or ask the staff to prepare the wine as a refreshing and sparkling spritzer. You’ll be buzzing with good vibes in no time, no alcohol required!
The seats of the restaurant are clad in all-natural cowhide, and the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the back kitchen will only make the wait for the main dishes much harder. The hardwood tables, brimming with silver cutlery and the deep red hues of the napkins mentally prepare you for a delicious meaty feast. Under the supervision of La Brasa’s Argentinean Chef, Americo Albornoz, you can rest easy as he personally sees to every little detail pertaining to your meal.
When visiting La Brasa, you can actually enjoy the finest grilled Argentinean beef in its many cuts by ordering the Parrillada. Priced at only KD 15 per person, this feast includes their fantastic empanadas for starters along with their grilled chorizo or sausages. For those of you who have never tried empanadas, think classic homemade turnovers filled with Argentinean beef tenderloin that is hand cut and not minced, chopped onions and spices. The pastry is the perfect thickness, as the small chunks of beef are incredibly juicy and every bite will tantalize the taste palate. After your starters, you will be met with a steady flow of different cuts of beef cooked and served to your liking, along with salad, homemade chips and their signature Chimichurri sauce as well as a sweet dessert to end your foray.
While we didn’t try the full Parrillada, Gustavo made sure that we tried the different cuts of beef available at La Brasa. We first sampled the soft and succulent Bife de Lomo, tenderloin beef filet that is simply salted and peppered and is served with a little dollop of mustard on the side. That’s it, all we needed was that tangy Chimichurri to pour over that perfectly marbled piece of beef, and we were golden. The Tira De Asado, or Argentinean beef ribs, followed our Lomo experience and these are perfect if you prefer ribs to filet. The Striploin steak will also never disappoint, and for those of you who love flank steak, then the Vacio at La Brasa will deem all other steaks as obsolete. Not only is the Vacio incredibly tender, every bite of this juicy pink beef delivers a flavorful punch.
Desserts at La Brasa are surely a traditional affair. You can enjoy a classic pancake prepared with their home made, and incredibly addictive, Dulce De Leche sauce or sample a classic Vigilante Batata. This dish is a typical representation of rustic, countryside Argentine cuisine, and consists of a sweet potato jelly served with cheese. Also, we absolutely fell in love with the Alfajores de Maizena, scrumptious cookies filled with Dulce De Leche and sprinkled with coco flakes.
Celebrate your love for all things Argentinean at La Brasa. The restaurant is located in the basement floor of Dar Al-Awadhi complex in Sharq. For more information, please call 2232 2230 and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @Labrasaq8 or visit www.labrasaq8.com.
