Dining in Mendoza – Cava de Cano

Moving finally on to simply restaurants (without the attached wineries)…I have only a couple of must-visit restaurants to review, and then it’s time to move on from Mendoza! (sniff…)

One final unforgettable lunch experience in wine country is an extended noontime at the legendary Cava de Cano.

I can honestly say that I have never experienced quite the spread we encountered on our arrival at this unassuming restaurant in the heart of Mayor Drummond, Luján de Cuyo. Set in the colonial residence of Mendoza’s 1930’s governor Don Guillermo Cano, the restaurant lives up to the “cava” part of its name: diners are ensconced in the bowels of the former home’s cave-like wine cellars. Cava de Cano’s specialty is its expansive, table-filling collection of local artisan cheeses, accompanying side dishes, sauces, cold meats and a hundred other morsels and tidbits you’ve never thought of – both impressive and intimidating. The photos speak for themselves.

Accompanied by (naturally) local wines, the resulting smorgasbord continues until you can barely move. Bring friends, and don’t eat breakfast!