Artango Bistro - Dinner, Dancing and Romance

Artango Bistro – Argentinian Romance with Dinner and Dancing

By Samantha Schoville

The best kind of restaurant experience is one that fills not only the belly, but also the soul. Artango Bistro does just this. With classic Argentine dishes in a hip, exposed-brick decor, the charm has just begun. Pause on your meal to join the free 30-minute tango lesson from instructor, Hernan, to make your visit complete. Suddenly, dinner feels like a short but delightful trip to Buenos Aires. Chicago cold fades away. You have arrived.

It’s no wonder that a visit to Artango Bistro entrances. The business, owned and operated by Maria Alferov and Sebastian Casanova, is a love story in itself. Maria, who formerly owned a dance studio, met Sebastian through her tango classes. While teaching him lessons, he became enamored with her. He kept returning to see her, and his persistence worked! Within a year they wed, and in 2013 they opened Artango Bistro—a combination of Maria’s love of dance and food (she is a graduate of The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago).

We came for the Artango Bistro $40 prix fixe menu, which includes an entrada (appetizer), plato fuerte (entré), dessert and—oh yes, a dance lesson! This special, which is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings is the perfect date night. Intimate couples with tables for two decorated the dining room the Wednesday evening we were there.

Our friendly waiter, Francisco, recommended the pulpo a la parilla (octopus) and empanadas to start. The octopus was served over sauteed swiss chard, brightly colored with baby tomatoes. The octopus was just right; not too chewy, but meaty enough to satisfy. The empanadas were presented elegantly on a long plate. We tried three different varieties: asparagus with onion and provolone; grape, onion, and taleggio; and lastly, beef with olives. Though the heartier flavors overpowered the nuanced ones, the empanadas were still very well crafted, with perfectly flaky crusts.

The Artango Bistro kitchen kindly sent out a complimentary appetizer of tuna and salmon ceviche, done in orange juice and soy sauce, topped with sesame seeds and caramelized carrots. The first taste zinged citrus, then cooled into the saltier flavors. The fish was fresh with a clean taste.

Next, the platos fuertes! It is simply obligatory when visiting an Argentinian restaurant to go for the beef. We settled on an order of bife de vacÍo—a 10 oz flank steak—served with sauteéd peppers, mashed potatoes, and the famous chimichurri sauce. This was our clear favorite of the night, one which despite our full bellies, we still found room to finish. The second dish we ordered was a classic paella del sur. Served with a mixture of octopus, scallops, calamari, shrimp, Spanish chorizo, and saffron rice, it was a staple dish, but not necessarily a stand-out.

We took a pause from our eating to jump in just in time for the dance lesson at 7:30. The floor, which is the last leg of the restaurant, fit the six couples or so who took part. Maria, the owner, jumped into be the follow, as Hernan called out the basic 7-count steps. Though we may have been a slow study, we enjoyed every bit of the lesson and plan on going back for more. As we settled back in at our table for dessert, an intermediate group took the floor for a one-hour class. As they danced, we were inspired and transported. The romance of tango had reached us.

But our time at Artango Bistro luckily wasn’t over just yet. It was time for dessert! Taking our waiter’s recommendation, we chose the flan and caramel crêpes—wise choices. The vanilla flan seemed to float on our tongues. Topped with raspberry sauce and whipped crème, it was really all we needed. But, we couldn’t resist the sweetness of the crêpes, either. Though the order came with two filled-crêpes, one would suffice. Accompanied by Julius Meinl espresso, our night was made.

Days later, the sweet taste of our trip to Artango Bistro still lingers. The ambiance, cuisine, and opportunity to step onto the dance floor all made our experience memorable. Plan your next night out to Artango Bistro—no passport needed.

4217 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

*Artango Bistro will be moving to the heart of Lincoln Square at 4767 N. Lincoln Ave (formerly Trattoria Trullo) in early 2016