Il Gatto

This small chain of restaurants (Italian trattoria) offers relatively inexpensive Italian food in a modern and pleasant atmosphere. Red tablecloths with fancy porcelain platters bearing their stylistic cat logo that serve as chargers on which plates and bowls of food are set.

The décor is casual but nice. There’s artwork on the walls and a big screen TV with, of course, a soccer match in progress.

The chain has eight locations in Córdoba and five in Buenos Aires. I’ve been to the Il Gatto in Puerto Madero and the one in La Recova in Retiro / Recoleta. Both were very similar with regard to décor and service. I would assume you get similar food and service at any of their several locations. The main menu items are reasonably priced between US$8 and $12.

I’ve eaten at Il Gatto more times than I can count as the Posadas location was very close to my apartment and they have reliable hours from early in the morning until very late. They typically are open on holidays.

The pasta is acceptable. The pizza slightly better than acceptable. I wouldn’t advise doing much else on this menu other than the ice cream.

For a better value try the restaurant out at lunch. They offer a prix fixe lunch menu with a main course dish, dessert and drink (beer if you prefer) for as little as US$7.50 (ARS$108) in mid-2016.

You would think at these low prices you’d be getting some pre-fabricated or buffet style pasta menu but in actually, the food is pretty good.

They provide a basket full of hot, fresh bread. A variety including some tasty pizza dough bread preceding the meal and that was accompanied by a tasty creamy dip to spread on the bread.

I ordered a grilled chicken breast and grilled vegetables. The chicken was good and was not overcooked as is often the case with a chicken breast. And there was a nice assortment of grilled vegetables. You can see the grill marks on both the chicken breast at the veggies in the slider image.

I’ve experience a few bad dishes. Once I was served a lasagna that was still cold in the center.

Tiramisu for dessert was good. Ice cream is good.

Service is always admirable for such a casual, low-cost restaurant. Much better than your typical service in Buenos Aires.

For the very reasonable price of about US$9.50 (with table cover charge) we had nice meal in an equally nice setting.

At the Posadas location in La Recova they have large terrace which would be a great place to have beer and pizza. The pizza is very well priced and cooked up in wood burning oven. We returned a few days later and shared a pizza that was pretty darn good that was US$12 and easily big enough to be shared by two people at lunch.

Despite having the soul of chain restaurant, Il Gatto is able to do it with a bit more panache than most.

Reasonable price. Consistent quality. Stick with the pasta and pizza.