Power Of Fires - Francis Mallmann
On the ground floor, overlooking the lively plaza, world-renowned Chef Francis Mallmann invites guests to savor his vision of traditional asado cuisine. In his own words, what follows captures the essence of his culinary craft.
This is not just a place to eat—it’s a space where fire is kept alive in every gesture. Where food is crafted with courage and curiosity, not just to nourish the body, but to feed life itself with purpose, silence, and hope. Here, we cook at the edge of uncertainty, where flavor meets conviction, and beauty never comes at the cost of authenticity.
A quiet pause in the kitchen can uncover truths that speed may overlook. In every dish, we honor the essence of who we are—dreamers, doers of deeds, and believers in the quiet power of sharing. La Boca in Buenos Aires is my home, where the table is set not for guests but for blunt tenderness. An outburst of dissidence, opposites, not precisely harmony. Here I cook what we eat—not to impress but to remember. A surprised assembly of my life in your lips. And now, we are bringing La Boca to New York.
La Boca is not a posh neighborhood, but it holds the soul of Argentina. It’s where Italian immigrants—many from Genoa—settled by the banks of the Río de la Plata, dreaming of the food from their homeland while building a life around the water. La Boca lives in its brightly colored tin houses. It is the birthplace of tango—the world’s most sensual and elegant dance, born from love and betrayal. It tears hearts apart with the passion of soccer, where masterfully kicking a ball could carry you to glory and into the collective memory of a nation—outlasting presidents and heroes of bygone days.
Boca Juniors and its stadium, La Bombonera, stand as one of the great pedestals of our country, upholding a passion that has outlived generations, creating a pagan religion of mystery, magic, and conquest. As for me, I live in a historic corner, just a block away from Caminito, overlooking the river—kept safe at night by local bandits and thieves, phantoms of the past: angels and demons of every dreaming soul.
Living among neighbors whose hearts drip with the weight of starting anew each day has rooted me in this cartier with a love that defies reason, safety, and logic. My eyes well with tears every time I open the door.
A culinary poet of flame and smoke, internationally renowned chef Francis Mallmann’s mastery of open-fire cooking honors the soulful spirit of South American cuisine. Shaped by the wild beauty of Patagonia’s Lago Moreno, his approach blends memory, instinct, and elemental elegance, transforming fire into art and food into feeling. His signature style emphasizes simplicity, a deep respect for ingredients, and an enduring connection to nature’s quiet power.
