Since opening last summer, Burnet Road's La Sombra has become a popular (yet somehow under-the-radar) spot for Rosedale and Hyde Park neighbors. The restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Central and South America, and they're not phoning it in: Executive Chef Julio-Cesar Florez is a native of Lima, Peru. To that end, dishes such as empanadas, cebiches, and tiraditos are par for the course, as are an assortment of grilled meats and South American wines. more ›

• Possible 7-year ban on US drilling for BP.
• BP cap leak soon to be fixed?
• Argentina legalizes same-sex marriage.

Something interesting is afoot at local wine retailers. As consumers search for bargains in this time of recession and saving, the mixture of offerings at retail is changing dramatically. While Australian winemakers are upset about this turn of events, as their shelf space shrinks by the minute, the biggest gainers at the moment are the wines of South America, especially Argentina. Argentina's wines are an interesting old world-new world hybrid: they have a unique climate that produces classic European restraint at times and bold American ripeness at others. The high altitudes of the vineyards (most are 2,000-4,700 feet above sea level) allow for great sun exposure at lower temperatures, which leads to softer tannins and more approachable young red wines.

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Mid-March, or SXSW rather, is a time when Warehouse District bars turn into rock venues and 6th St. meat markets become home to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see that next big thing at a smallish venue. We’ve never made it to Ninety Proof Lounge but all that might change when Zizek comes to the hotspot that is “upscale without the attitude” on March 13th. Zizek is a regular shindig in Buenos Aires that provides artists an opportunity to display their genius -- reggae, hip-hop, cumbia, folk, dancehall, electro, you name it, they got it. The intent is to provide an Argentine slant on the various genres and showcase the talent that lies within the country. And of course, party hard, dance the night away, and take the show on the road! more ›