In this remote, rural Uruguayan village, world-renowned Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, who is as famous for creating an empire around natural, open-air grilling as he is for his eccentric culinary persona, decided to open a hotel and restaurant. Like any Mallmann venture, it brings the heat. Menu items like "bread on the coals" and "burnt fruits" are a testament to his particular style of cooking, in which fire — the earth oven, grill, and fire stoves in the kitchen all burn wood — is used to bring out every ingredient's strongest and most natural flavors. The hotel, in what used to be Garzón's general store, resembles a quaint, provincial country home. And, yes, every room has its own fireplace, too. In this carnivore country you should try the ribeye with chimichurri and domino potatoes, tomato, and scallion on the coals.
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