wanted to create a fun, approachable dinner experience, where it’s really about enjoying the evening together,” says Tomas Pelaez, who opened Gardel in Fox Point with this vision in mind. Rustic yet refined Argentinian-inspired tapas and specialty paired wines are on the menu this summer as the new restaurant has settled into its stride.
When it opened in January, Gardel was primarily a takeout concept, centering Argentine sandwiches and empanadas, most notably the choripán, a beloved street food sandwich made with grilled chorizo, crusty bread, and a generous spread of fresh chimichurri. Over time, Pelaez transitioned into the full restaurant experience, expanding Gardel into a cozy, elevated space offering gourmet tapas with a refreshingly casual vibe. With a background as a wine merchant, Pelaez was especially eager to highlight inspired pairings.
“I think the biggest draw is that almost no one else is doing Argentine food in Rhode Island,” says Pelaez. “A lot of people who aren’t too familiar with Argentine cuisine assume it’s just one kind of steak and that’s it, or they might think the flavors are really spicy or super exotic, but actually, the flavors are very recognizable, especially here in Rhode Island, with all the Portuguese and Italian influences the area has.”
Pelaez instills his love of tango music – particularly Argentine singer Carlos Gardel – into the restaurant’s atmosphere, and his wife’s Argentine roots help shape the menu, along with Italian and Spanish influences, especially with their tapas offerings. A selection of Argentine wines includes Malbecs, alongside classics like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Malvasia. “I like to bring on wines that I think are tasty and pair well with the food,” he says of the curation process.
Intricate cocktail specials also provide inspired sips – El Tano is made with Campari, grapefruit juice, and mint. Guests flock to Gardel’s La Hora del Vermouth, a happy hour from 5-6pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, featuring mixed drinks starring vermouth.
A natural progression for the restaurant, Pelaez began curating special wine dinners, thoughtfully designed to pair the perfect bite with the perfect pour, lining up four different wines to complement four dishes. “I think it’s a way to bring people together, to have a wine dinner that’s not pompous or stuffy, and not just for people who are really into wine. It’s more like a supper club or a casual wine tasting with friends: sitting down, hanging
out, drinking good wine, and enjoying great food,” he describes.
Since the menu and wine lists are constantly rotating, dishes are also crafted around seasonal ingredients and even vary depending on the weather. Gardel has served up unique bites like their popular Argentine steak with chimichurri paired with a rich, fruit-forward Malbec; Pan con Tomate (a rich tomato toast); the classic Spanish tortilla (a thick, savory omelet made with potatoes and onions), and their famous empanadas. Pelaez notes that these aren’t your typical empanadas: they’re baked rather than fried, and filled with a rich, stewed meat mixture – a true exemplar of their roots.
Pelaez uses a standout dish featuring blood sausage to describe his vision: “Some of the most flavorful dishes come from humble ingredients – like cuts of meat that have been slow-cooked for hours,” he says. “They end up developing an incredible depth of flavor. Over the past hundred years, we’ve gotten used to thinking food always has to look beautiful, and a lot of times people miss out because they’re intimidated by appearances. What I’m trying to do is change the presentation, make it more appealing, and encourage people to try things they might otherwise overlook – just like how thoughtful plating can transform the experience of a dish.”
Gardel welcomes walk-ins and features a rotating menu from Wednesday through Saturday, with lunch service on Sundays. Reservations for the wine dinners are available on their website and Instagram.
102 Ives Street
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