El Almacén

It's a promising new port of call.

(Correction: An earlier version of this post stated that Julian Medina is the chef and a co-owner. Mr. Medina does not have any formal business relationship with El Almacén.) The decorative wood-burning stoves were unlit, a mural remained unhung, and even the telephone was still unconnected, but Porteño spirit was already strong on opening day at this rustic Argentine café-restaurant. ("Porteño" describes a native of Buenos Aires, home to one of El Almacén's owners.)

Shown, above and below: ceviche de bife ($8), seared New York steak with red onion in a spicy chimichurri mayo; ensalada de remolacha ($7), with spinach, roasted beets, manchego, and almonds; provoleta ($5), grilled provolone and tomato Provenzal; and a submarino (shown as served, and in progress; $3), steamed milk with stir-it-in-yourself dark chocolate. (Please note that prices, too, may still be subject to some revision.)

When it opens with warmer weather, El Almacén's backyard patio would be the place for grilled corn ($3) and a choripan ($7), an Argentine "hotdog" built around housemade sausage, with chimichurri sauce and yerba mate ketchup. But I already have my eye on the short-rib tacos (two for $7) that arrived at a nearby table, as well as platos fuertos such as papardelle con rabo ($12), coffee-braised oxtail with regianito cheese; a parrillada ($16) of grilled chorizo, short ribs, and New York steak; and the costilla de res ($14), mate-braised short ribs with tomato and red pepper. El Almacén also serves plates of fiambres (mortadella, jamón Ibérico, salame de campo, terrina de matambre) and quesos (regianito, cabrales, provolone, manchego) for the table; the restaurant hopes to offer them through a grocery operation at some time in the future.

El Almacén
557 Driggs Ave. (near North 7th St.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Comments

[FN]

This looks really good. I used to have an Argentinian spanish tutor who would cook for me at her house. I miss that. I am going to put this on the "to do" list.

[annie]

looks delicious and can't wait to try, but julian medina is not a partner. he is good friends with the owners.

-annie medina, julian's wife

[megc]

This looks excellent! Thanks for letting us know about this. It's going on my list of places to check out.

[MariaFe]

The food was good but I was terrified to see a giant ROACH by the bar near the kitchen! eewwww!