Palermo

Going for the first time tonight with my wife. Suggestions? May try the sweetbreads. Never had them. What are they like? Thanks!

[Robin Garr]

Kris, it's kind of hard to describe sweetbreads except to say "taste like sweetbreads." But I can tell you that there's nothing weird or disgusting about their texture of flavor. Nothing like a raw oyster, say, where willing suspension of disbelief is required. This isn't an exact analogy, but think about a small, skimpy hamburger with a more delicate texture and taste.

Maybe someone else will have a better metaphor, but my best advice is, relax, don't worry, they're not weird.

Thanks Robin. I've always struggled with textures, but have overcome a lot of it. That was my main concern!

We always share the mixed grill. It's never disappointing. You get some of the house made chorizo and the Chimichurri, along with different cuts of meat and the sweetbreads. I'm also weird about textures. These are great. Id suggest an order of the excellent fries to help sop up the Chimichurri. Take a peek at the special charcoal fed grill that is on display in the open kitchen, and the shared entree I described is served on a neat smaller version at your table. My family loved all of the pasta entrees as well, but I need my chorizo when I'm there. Well thought out interesting Argentinian wine selection without being pretentious.

Suggestions?

Before the main course, I prefer their unique their take on calamari, a definite Argentine spin, and also the provoleta, a grilled cheese speciality.

I am not big on desserts, but at times I do make an exception at Palemrjo Viejo for the flan or hommade icecream.

May try the sweetbreads. Never had them. What are they like?

I love, love sweetbreads! They are absolutely delicious! The texture is incredibly soft and smooth, almost "silky." The taste is not very strong at all; in fact, I think one could say that they are "mild" in flavor. They certainly don't taste like other organ meats. The best description I can make is to say they taste and have the texture of a cross between a scallop and liver, with the texture leaning more towards the liver than the calamari.

Be certain to, a least. try one bite of the sweetbreads dipped in the chimchurri sauce that Palermo Viejo serves as an accompaniment.

I once prepared and cooked sweetbreads in my kitchen. To say they are prep-intensive is an understatement! Ever since then I have left them to restaurants.

Perfectly cooked sweetbreads are like the best chicken nugget you've ever had... and then some.

Loved them! They were fantastic. Of the four options on my plate, I went for the sweetbreads first. I understand why it's hard to describe them. Not at all what I expected. I also get Ethan's chicken nugget description! We had a good time trying a new to us place. Thanks for the input!