Ampi Wine Bar  

Delicious regional food plus an extraordinary wine cellar

Right in front of the main square (named 20 de febrero, after the Salta Battle), on General Güemes Street, is Ampi Bar de Vinos, one of the most important restaurants in Cafayate.

It was my father who recommended us not to miss the sandwiches and salads offered there, because after several trips to the city of the sun, he ended up becoming an habitué and friend of Javier Ríos, the owner of the "most crowded boliche in the main square".

Since then, in every visit to the Calchaquí Valleys we dedicate at least one night to sit at one of the tables to delight ourselves with their empanadas, one of the tastiest in Salta; the capacity is quite tight and the demand is very high, so at peak hours they will surely be all occupied.

And as if to crown our fascination for that corner of Cafayate, in one of those gastronomic encounters, Javier -after we told him how much we value artisanal wines- gifted us a late criolla rosé from Inicios Winery, an artisanal product made by Jorge and Raquel Humano, with whom we would later generate a beautiful friendship. We also got to know the Utama wines, the unique project of the Haro Galli family in Banda de Arriba. One of those discoveries that @tripticity_ treasures forever.

Ampi has a formidable cellar of Salta labels, probably the most varied in terms of wineries in the province. His shelves feature both the most expensive and renowned labels as well as family labels from the area. For its owner "there is no such thing as a bad wine, they are all good", evidencing that he is a great wine enthusiast. He also confesses that his initiative to have almost all the local wines "was something like a dream", today undoubtedly a reality.

Really, even if you don't sit down to have a bite to eat and miss Ampi's delicacies, it is worth at least entering his small place to check out the many impressive and proud wines from Salta.

Another great excuse to visit this bodegón is the history of the building that houses it. Owned by Roberto Nanni, the house belonged to the Román family, having been inhabited by the famous Polo Román, the drummer of the Chalchaleros.

Together with Susana Román, they are in charge of serving high quality regional dishes. The quality of the products that nourish it is noticeable: the menu includes salads, snacks, regional meals and, of course, outstanding milanesas. They have what they call the milanesa club; every fan of this Argentinean dish must try at least one of the variants offered at Ampi.

In addition to the fresh taste and excellence of their dishes, at their tables you can perceive the kindness and team work of their owners, who make sure that their guests relax and enjoy themselves; and you can also perceive how much their service pleases them.

Javier says that he inherited his passion for good food from his grandmother, with whom he grew up. She had Doña Pancha's dining room, so as a child he used to help in the kitchen, preparing pastas, milanesas or the meal of the day.

The recipe book of those times resurfaced in Ampi, becoming the best inspiration for those authentic flavors of the dishes that Mabel, the excellent cook, executes.

Well, that is how he learned the skill of waiting tables, the vicissitudes of the kitchen, the processes with suppliers, in short, the difficult world of the gastronomic field, being his grandmother his reference and example, whom he remembers with affection and admiration.

His partner Susana is another expert in the culinary industry, as she grew up in El Rancho restaurant, another Cafayate classic, owned by her parents.

The union of two connoisseurs of good food and the famous and remarkable empanadas, whether fried or baked, meat or cheese, is evident. Ampi Bar de Vinos's menu also offers picadas, sandwiches, and more elaborate meat and fish dishes. The escabeches de llama, baby lamb, lamb or vizcacha are very tempting.

Undoubtedly the favorites of @tripticity_ are the empanadas and tapas with local cheeses.

For sweets, the regional ones stand out. Memorable are the limes in syrup to accompany the traditional quesillos. What a delight! 

In short, Ampi -named after Javier's daughter- is a cult to regional gastronomy, a wine cellar worthy of an award, a tribute to Salta's culture and a meeting place with friends, one of those that one admires and values, while enjoying a wine from Salta, sealing forever an unforgettable memory.