Fervor - Buenos Aires

Fervor is but another steakhouse in a city of full of steakhouses attempting to satisfy what seems to be the insatiable hunger that Porteños have for grilled steaks. It’s in a great location, directly behind the city’s grand ole hotel, the Alvear. The restaurant is owned by the same owner as the popular Italian restaurant, Sottovoce, and Spanish restaurant, El Burladero.

Although the restaurant is relatively new, the décor looks oddly as if the place was put together three or four decades ago, with dark paneling, lots of mirrors, globe sconces, brass railings, a black and white checkered-tile floor, and red leather upholstery. If Architectural Digest gave an award for the newest restaurant that looks as if it needs to be remodeled, Fervor would surely win the award. Porteños, who are still sort of relishing their grand past, seem to enjoy this “traditional” look.

The restaurant is immensely popular. Even with reservations, there is often a wait for a table. Fortunately, the bartender and hostess are busy passing out complimentary champagne to everyone waiting for a table.

A small bar is located in the front waiting area at street level that overlooks a large subterranean dining room. There’s a second-floor dining area and tables and seating on the rooftop terrace. I’d estimate the restaurants seats 125 to 175 patrons in total.

After a wait of about 20 minutes, chatting up the bartender to avoid boredom, I was shown to a small table on the rooftop terrace. There was not much of view from this vantage point.

The menu is a typical Argentine steakhouse menu save for the addition of grilled seafood to the menu. Something we only recall having seen at El Mirasol Campo & Mar in Puerto Madero.

I did the obvious. I ordered a ribeye (ojo de bife), “jugoso” (medium-rare), and batch of French fries. The fries were big, peeled, thick-cut strips of potato. A bit limp. Not crisp on the outside, but tasty enough otherwise.

The steak? Cooked perfectly, very tender, and flavorful. One of the best steaks I’ve had in Buenos Aires.

The service was stellar throughout the meal.

I was somewhat surprised. This experience slightly exceeded my expectations. Despite the cliché décor, the restaurant, being full of people, had a high-energy level. Sitting on the ground floor would have been a pleasant experience. Sitting on the second floor or on the rooftop terrace, without the advantage of the vaulted ceiling in the main dining area, the space seems a little confining. Since you have a 30% chance of ending up with a table upstairs, this affected our rating on ambiance.

The service was outstanding. Even more impressive in light of the fact that the restaurant was packed throughout the time I was there.

The fries weren’t the best we’ve experienced, but the steak was high-quality beef, perfectly cooked. Served hot.

Fervor isn’t our favorite steakhouse in the city. There are a handful with a better ambiance and certainly a handful with steaks that are as good. But, if you live close-by or are staying in a hotel in Recoleta, especially the Alvear Hotel, this is the obvious choice. Although the décor isn’t all that impressive, it’s certainly no worse than the similarly dated décor at El Mirasol in La Recova a few blocks away, which is the next closest steakhouse.