“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping..." Paulo Cohelo

During July we had the visit of this incredible inspiring guy who knew how to transform the worst economic crisis into a magic journey that lasted six years.

Daniel Echeverria came from Rosario (Argentina) to teach us that anybody can make his dream come true. It doesn't matter what is going on around you. He started building "Excalibur" in 2001 during the worst economic crisis in Argentina and his dream was to bring his motorbike to Camelot in the UK. He spent three years building the bike and another three years discovering cities, making hundreds of friends and collecting stories to share.

Daniel is an artist. But you won't find his work in galleries because he is a street artist. He loves people and he loves sharing people's lives and experiences. What he may not be aware is how inpiring is when he shares his experiences.

If you find a guy dressed like Henry VIII next to a motorbike that seems being brought from XVI century be careful.... you may get inspired!!

From the team of "Santa Maria del Sur" Gracias Daniel!!

Polo stars raise founds for Fundación Laureus Argentina

On Sunday 24th, 2007 Marcos Gilligan (Bodegas Nieto Senetiner) gently invited us to be present at "IWC-Laureus Polo Cup", an event organized to raise funds for "Fundación Laureus Argentina". We had the privilege to meet Argentinian sports stars like Eduardo Heguy who took part of the event and the Rugby legend and President of the “Fundación Laureus Argentina” Hugo Porta.

Boris Becker, Martina Navratilova and Daley Thompson, Laureus World Sports Academy members were also present at the event.

We were delighted to talk with Hugo Porta and learn that the Fundación Laureus Argentina is currently supporting the San Isidro Development Project in Buenos Aires with sports activity sessions and educational workshops in an area where crime, drugs, alcohol, violence and firearms use is prevalent, and the West City Project in Mendoza, using football and hockey to address crime, delinquency and drug abuse and promoting community regeneration.

For those interested on more information about “Fundación Laureus Argentina” please visit “http://www.fundacionlaureus.org.ar/”

In praise of Argentinian Beef

"Nando Cuca from Cucabrazuca.com pops down to the Argentinian restaurant 'Santa Maria del Sur' in Queestown Road, SW London, to experience first hand the delights of the best of South American beef."

Thank you Fernando for your visit and the video. It looks great!!
Click on the image to watch the clip.

Mati se vuelve a La Plata

El 25 de Abril despedimos a Matías, que se vuelve a La Plata a encontrarse con Mara y Juanita. Matias pasó por todos los rubros, creo que solo le faltó hacer los bifes. Gracias Mati por el tiempo compartido. Y de paso también me gustaría darle las gracias a Mara, ya que no tuvimos la oportunidad de despedirnos y fue un pilar muy importante en el nacimiento de Santa Maria del Sur. Les deseamos todo lo mejor en esta nueva etapa.

"The Lord of the Steak"

(English) As you can see Viggo and Elijah came to eat "al restaurant" and we could not leave pass the possibility to take a picture with them (if you wanna a picture with us, you are more than welcome :-). They were very nice, especially Viggo that came with the flag of San Lorenzo (Argentine football team) and he place it of tablecloth. The funny things was when Yumi arrive, i told her to go and greet Frodo (Elijah), and when she was in front of him the only thing she was able to say was "where is smeagol.?” (aka gollum) Hahahaaaa! !!.
(Spanish) Como veran Viggo y Elijah vinieron a comer al restaurant y no podiamos dejar pasar la posibilidad de fotografiarnos con ellos. La verdad gente muy macanuda, especialmente el Viggo que se vino con la bandera de San Lorenzo y la puso de mantel.
La anecdota de la noche la puso Yumi (super mosa) cuando llego y le dije anda a saludar a Frodo (Elijah) y de los nervios lo unico que pudo decir fue "where is smeagol..?"(alias gollum) jajajaaaa!!!.

The Opening

On January 8th, 2007 we had the Opening Party at 129 Queenstown Rd., Battersea. Many, friends, suppliers and guests were present. It was a wonderful night. An old friend and client "el doctor" gave us a lovely present made by himself describing the party with the following words: "Argentine hospitality and smiles were the order of the evening as Alberto and staff hosted what had to be one of the best parties down Queenstown Road, Battersea in early January. With plenty of fine Argentine wines, friends, family and guests were also treated to tasty steaks, grilled to perfection by Gustavo which ensured the party was still going strong at midnight. So until my next visit to Buen Ayre "Ciao, hasta luego".

Largamos!!!!

Estas son fotos de los dias previos a la apertura. El almuerzo del 19 con todos, los ultimos retoques y el dia que arrancamos, con la presencia de Juanita. ;-))

Krakow, the polish restaurant

These are pictures of the premises when we found it in August 2006 and the building process until we opened in December. The building work started on August 22nd and finished on December 21st. It took exactly 4 months.

Te acordás hermano...?

Se acuerdan del Año Nuevo de Enero del 2006? Que lindo la pasamos ehhhh!?!?!?! Y cuantas caruchas conocidas. La unica cagada fue que esos papelitos del orto nos mancharon toda la barra y que esas binchas nos dejaron marcada toda la frente. ;-))
Hay mas fotos haciendo click en la imagen de la izquierda.