There’s something special about choosing a theme that invites everyone to explore a different part of the world for an evening. Our most recent dinner club gathering took us to Argentina with an Argentine Asado, a style of cooking and gathering centered around grilled meats, simple ingredients, and plenty of time around the table.
Like all of our dinner club nights, the meal came together by dividing up the dishes so that everyone contributed something to the table. It’s one of the things that makes these evenings so enjoyable—no one person carries the entire meal, and everyone gets to bring a dish that adds to the experience.
What is an Argentine Asado?
An Argentine asado is more than just a meal—it’s a style of gathering centered around food, conversation, and time spent together. In Argentina, an asado traditionally revolves around grilling meat over an open flame, often cooked slowly and served alongside simple sides and fresh sauces like chimichurri.
But just as important as the food is the atmosphere. Asados are meant to be relaxed and social, with friends and family gathering around the grill, sharing drinks, and enjoying the process as much as the meal itself. The table often fills with a mix of grilled meats, breads, salads, and small dishes that everyone can enjoy together.
For our dinner club, we embraced the spirit of an asado by building a menu inspired by Argentine flavors and dividing the dishes among our group so everyone could contribute to the meal.
The Menu
For this dinner, the menu reflected some of the classic flavors you might find at an Argentine gathering.
We started with Argentinian beef empanadas, a savory pastry filled with seasoned beef and spices. They were the perfect way to begin the evening and gave everyone something to enjoy while we gathered and caught up.
The centerpiece of the meal was skirt steak served with chimichurri, a bright and herb-forward sauce made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. The simplicity of grilled steak paired with chimichurri is one of the hallmarks of Argentine cooking, and it didn’t disappoint.
Alongside the steak were several dishes that balanced the richness of the meat.
A fresh hearts of palm and avocado salad added a light and refreshing element to the table, while eggplant al escabeche brought a tangy, marinated flavor that paired beautifully with the rest of the meal.
We also enjoyed fugazza, an Argentine-style onion flatbread that is soft, savory, and perfect for sharing.
To finish the evening, dessert was classic Argentine alfajores—delicate sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche and lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
Drinks
To complement the meal, we served Fernet con Coca, a popular Argentine cocktail made with Fernet and cola, along with plenty of Malbec wine, one of Argentina’s most well-known exports.
Around the Table
What made the evening memorable wasn’t just the menu; it was the conversation, laughter, and the feeling of gathering around the table with friends. Dinner club has a way of slowing things down. It creates space to try new recipes, learn about different cuisines, and enjoy the simple act of sharing a meal together.
This Argentine Asado was another reminder of why these gatherings have become such a meaningful tradition for us.
And like every dinner club night, it left us already looking forward to the next theme.
Tips for Hosting an Argentine-Themed Dinner Party
If you’d like to try an Argentine-inspired dinner with friends, it’s actually a very approachable theme for a gathering. The focus is on simple ingredients, bold flavors, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Here are a few ideas that worked well for our dinner club:
Start with a few small bites.
Empanadas or other savory pastries are a perfect way to begin the evening while guests arrive and settle in.
Make grilled meat the centerpiece.
Cuts like skirt steak or flank steak pair beautifully with chimichurri and capture the heart of an Argentine asado.
Balance the table with fresh sides.
Simple salads, marinated vegetables, and breads help round out the meal without competing with the main dish.
Offer traditional drinks.
Malbec wine is a natural choice, and Fernet con Coca is a popular Argentine cocktail that adds a fun cultural touch.
Share the cooking.
One of the best parts of dinner club is dividing the dishes among friends. It makes hosting easier and allows everyone to contribute something to the table.