Opposite me in Britanico a man sits, tapping his fingers against the table while assorted persons wander in and out of the café selling pens, socks, jewelry, and religious pendants.
Later, a young African man with his dark sales case containing necklaces, rings, and watches enters through the corner doorway and walks directly towards the elderly woman sitting to my left. She has too much rouge on her cheeks. The African leans over and greets her with a kiss.
A regular customer of his, I assume, but today, after reviewing the merchandise in the case lined with red velvet, she buys nothing.
The African approaches me with a smile.
September 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
The Britanico, wow. It was my preferred bar/coffee ever.
I used to go there with parents and friends, for whatever, anytime.
Someday, the owners of the .. space, decided to not re establish the contract with the owners of the bar.
So you may wonder why? If the Britanico owners weren’t against a raise in the costs of its rental..
Simply, capitalist logic, they owners of that space just arranged with other people that wanted to usufruct that corner and the work and name built by previous owners.
I just don’t want to go anymore to the Britanico. Please don’t tell me anymore that it’s the same than before.
No, I started to go to Hipopotamus, and started to feel better.
If you want to check what I’m saying read for example this:
http://www.ensantelmo.com.ar/Sociedad/Calidad%20de%20Vida/Espacio%20Urbano/britanico.htm
bye
September 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment. If you read back thru my earlier postings on Britanico, then you’ll find that I had the same negative feelings about the change of ownership at Britanico. (It was my understanding that the new owner of the cafe purchased the rights to the name from the old guys who owned it before.)I didn’t go back for a very long time, but now I’ve returned though I do seem to alternate between Hipo and Britanico.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
[…] in a different part of the city, but I have missed the edge of San Telmo and Barracas, particularly Bar Britanico and Hipopótamo. Around Recoleta I just can’t find any good cafes with that type of […]