An ART DECO GEM in Montevideo.

Open for just a few month, the new restaurant at the Jockey Club promises to be an obligatory culinary stop on 18 de Julio, the main avenue in Montevideo. In the last few month I have been there three times. The first two times I ordered a la carte, the third time I ordered the Menu Ejecutivo as lunch. My experience down here.

  The Jockey Club entrance in „857 Av. 18 de Julio“, today.

The building where the restaurant is housed dates back to 1920, designed by the Frenchman José Carré, and is a marvel that was abandoned for years. I love the atmosphere and the wonderful restoration of this building.

  Jockey Club Montevideo in the early 1930’s.

Taken over by the Grupo Pestana, there will soon be a hotel, but for now trying out the restaurant remains a great temptation. This Portuguese based developers, are true experts on hospitality, excellence in the culinary art, the decor, the ambiance.

   Earlier just called „The Hall“, now its the Restaurant.

Marco Bonino is the chef in charge who has had an eclectic career in Spanish kitchens, luxury yachts, and coastal restaurants in Uruguay. A very sympathetic chef is Constanza, who speaks very well English and is happy to help if „all the waitresses and waiters“ play dumb, as I experienced. Shouldn’t happen in a class restaurant like this.

   20 Minutes to serve a Martini, no olive was available.

Chef Bonino refers to the menu as “market style” putting emphasis on fresh ingredients and classic dishes, what you read is what you get, yeah and not a bit more !!

  Menu’s (or a puzzle ?) change.

They offer executive menus and daring menu options. There is also a great cocktail bar that hopes to create a profile all on its own. And – they have life music shows which are worth to visit. By example I visited in June a Jazz night, very enjoyable.

As we know Buenos Aires is the city of Art Nouveau and Montevideo the Art Deco city. For all you Art Deco lovers, it is a must to come wine in dine in this unique Art Deco Building. Or just have a drink at the bar and enjoy the Art Deco atmosphere.

     Art Deco restaurant, the former „Hall“.

The first dining we had you can see in the following 4 pics ( precisely as they advertise in their web).  Nothing to complain, it was excellent to dine a la carte. During the Jazz night we had snacks and drinks only, lots of coktails. Nothing to complain.

                 
Octopus starter – Lobster main – Filet Mignon main – Chocolate cake dessert. All fine ! Of Course different decorated as seen in the web, but still appetizing and worth wile.

The third time I was there for lunch and ordered the Menu Ejecutivo. Sorry, I am not a complainer, but that „executive menu“ was not worth the price and the service was just miserable (means – very rude when I reminded them of my Martini, standing on the bar for 15 minutes and waiting for an olive – they had to buy – I guess). So I decided to tell them my opinion. We had a very nice conversation, thanks to Chef Constanza.

The  executive menu I’ve been served – starter: Some salad ( two green leaves, bit tomato, 4 cubes of cheese, some shredded carrot and a boiled egg).

The main: Some chicken nuggets on a bed of noodles. Noodles were soaked in soy sauce and Mc Donald delivers much better nuggets.

Finally the dessert; A fruit salad, hmmm ? I decided to indulge myself with a double espresso and an Amaretto. Those were o.k. !

After having half of the main course I complained and the „very friendly and helpful“ chef Constanza came to my table. The restaurant finally offered me not to pay for the meal, but I decided to pay in full my bill and have the right to write my opinion about in this post.

     Doesn’t it look wonderful on their web ?

Try to find those dishes above on the menu. You can order „Quinoa“ or „Tannat“(wine) as a main dish and you will find a „Vegetales Baby“, whatever that „baby“ is.  As starters you can order „Aceto“(vinegar) or „Almendras“(almonds) and as some desert you can order „Miel“(honey).   Is this Portuguese stile to fill a menu card ???  Or do they try to inform about ingredients of some dishes or is the honey a desert,  I am totally confused !

  Is the decoration better then the food? Check yourself !

My conclusion: Very nice restaurant, to show, with guests ! Without Spanish language you will have (almost) no chance. 3 times there, 2 times at night, 1 time for lunch. Dinner time and Jazz night was fine, lunch time a disaster. Was that „Ejecutivo“ or „Primitivo“ ?? If you like high class restaurants, then there are better ones in and around Montevideo.
As you can read, I have a mixed opinion and the best will be that everyone seeks their own experience.  As everyone has a different taste and expectation anyhow.  Stay tuned.

Header picture shows „Hipódromo de Maroñas“ in Montevideo, Uruguay.