
Milwaukee's Calatrava
This up and coming urban area is lined with factory buildings-turned-fancy flats, some fantastic restaurants like CabaƱa Las Lilas owned by my favorite Sao Paulo-based restaurant group Rubaiyat (and chains like Hooters and TGIFridays which spoil it's potential some), and fantastic modern business buildings and high-end hotels. The area's much like Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.
Anyone who enjoys getting lost in a book store must make the time to see El Ateneo in this European-like, Latin-hip city. This is positively the most beautiful bookstore that I have ever seen.
Housed within an early 20th century theatre, the balconies are lined with best sellers, children's books, Argentine thrillers and private nooks to dig into a few of them. I picked up a copy of 'Asi Cocinan los Argentinos' or How Argentina Cooks which offers detail in both Spanish and English. This will help me bring the dazzling flavors of Argentine cuisine home to Wisconsin.
It's been listed as one of the world's best bookstores, but it is not number one. Looks like a visit to this Dutch book shop housed in an 800 year old church is one to add to the bucket list. Incredible transformations!