Easy Cheesecake in Buenos Aires

While in Buenos Aires, I quickly fell in love with Siga la Vaca and enjoyed many a wonderful dinner there. Being a serious devotee of cheesecake, I was anxious to try the Argentinian version of this delightful dessert. Siga la Vaca served up a beautiful slice drenched in blueberries, almost a compote.

The blueberries were the perfect blend of sweet and tart.

The cheesecake was like no other cheesecake I'd tasted before. The texture was firm, similar to a flan. It was a much lighter flavor than even a whipped cheesecake from America. A palate-broadening experience.

Almandrada in Buenos Aires

While in Buenos Aires, my favorite restaurant was Siga la Vaca by the port. It is gourmet quality food served buffet style. The meal includes wine and dessert. This trip I decided to try the Almandrada ice cream. I was served a slab of rich vanilla ice cream, encrusted with almonds, and infused with amaretto flavor. In a word, it was simply divine.

Perfection

Perfection is not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Buenos Aires First Impressions

Because much of my travel is business related, my first sight of a new country is usually the taxi ride from the airport to the office. When traveling in the winter, this may be my only view of the city due to short daylight hours. Buenos Aires is no exception.

What struck me most about Buenos Aires is how beautiful the area around the airport is, even in the dead of winter (which is August in the southern hemisphere.) Huge stands of magnificent trees line the freeway on either side, alternating with open meadows, soccer fields, and a few pretty buildings.

As you move closer into the city, the trees become fewer and the sky scrapers begin. There was very little character or style to most of the architecture. A friend likened it to Russia because all the buildings are simple and functional, with no ornamentation. Most were fairly modern and well maintained; very few were run down. There are very few historical buildings or artistically architected buildings, so when I saw one, it really stood out.

When we left the freeway, most of the streets were narrow two-lane streets, bordered on each side by multi-story buildings. Close up, the buildings looks more worn and a surprising amount of litter cluttered the sidewalks. Many of the sidewalks are chipped or broken, with loose stones.

Florida Dining - Asian Food in The Villages

While visiting The Villages in Florida, one concern we had was the availability of Asian cuisine. Growing up in the California Bay Area and Sacramento exposes you to a variety of cultures and their food, and we have grown used to excellent Asian restaurants.

The Villages Thai Ruby Cuisine does not disapoint. The Thai Spring Rolls are light and crisp and are served with a Thai peanut sauce. The Amazing Beef lives up to its name: tender bites of beef drowned in a satisfying sauce. The Nam Sod is both a beautiful and extremely satisfying spicy pork salad. The atmosphere of the restaurant provided a perfect combination to satisfy.

Where to eat at The Villages - Easy Cheesecake Dessert at TFI Friday's

If you take the trolley tour of The Villages, near Orlando, Florida, you will hear that there are 90 restaurants to choose from. So how to decide?

TGI Friday's is an easy choice. It is a national chain, so you may find the menu familiar.

We stopped in on $2 beer night. The local Parrot Club had taken over the outdoor patio, so the atmosphere was even more boisterous than usual for a TGI Friday's.

If you are looking for desert, I recommend the vanilla bean cheesecake. It's neither too light nor too heavy, a perfect layer of cheesecake with a lighter, whipped topping. There is a hint of vanilla to make this treat out of the ordinary, with a contrasting swirl of chocolate for a sharp contrast. End the creamy with a sweet strawberry and you have a very satisfying dessert.

Wild America at The Villages, FL

There is a lovely community in central Florida where you can buy a home on a golf course for under $1 million. As a free bonus, you may be adopted by a family of cranes. This one, nicknamed Ozzie, comes by every day for a slice of bread. Sometimes his mate, Harriet, joins him, but today he was alone.

Ozzie walked up to the lanai, looked at me meaningfully, and waited patiently while I went into the kitchen. I found a  piece of bread to feed him. I was fearful of spooking him, but he showed no fear as I fumbled with the latch for the screen door. I walked up to him and broke bread with him. I believe I could have hand  fed him, he was so calm. What a treat for me.