Not a Starbucks in sight

A large percentage, something like 60%, of Argentineans are descendants of Italian immigrants. From what I understand, as the United States began to slowly close its doors to new immigrants in the early and middle twentieth century, the continuous flow instead headed south, many landing in Argentina. Whether that fact is true or not, there is a very Italian feel to Buenos Aires. The people are friendly, tolerant and easy going about life. They also know how to cook. But best of all they know how to make coffee. I start each day by going to one of the local sidewalk cafe's and getting a cortado, which as its name implies is a quarter steamed milk with expresso, served in a very small cup. It is fantastic. Being an American, when I first saw it served I thought that I was going to need ten of them to replace my typical morning grande. Surprisingly, one does the trick and you are off and running.