What not to miss for the stomach

When traveling, I follow my nose. I can walk a long way for good food. For the upcoming trip, I started researching on good restaurants and local food/drinks that we should not miss.

For Argentina, of course you've got to beef up. Its grass-fed, lean and flavorful meat is a must not miss. Buenos Aires has countless parrillas (steak houses). We are going to try Miranda, recommended by several guidebook and in the Forbes Travel Issue on BA that Srini gave me. We are also going to an estancia for a day where I am sure steak from open fire will be served.

To drink, there is mate (a herbal drink with caffeine), licuados (a milk blended fruit drink), a chopp (lager). Argentina produces a lot of beer. Its annual domestic consumption per person is over 130 lbs. That's a lot of open bottles.

For sweets, facturas (sweet pastry) and helado (ice-cream). Surprisingly, Argentina has great ice-creams.

For Chile, one drink stood out for me. It's called pisco sour. It's brandy with lemon juice, powdered sugar and egg white. I will be on the hunt for it.

Brazil's feijoada is a meat stew with beans. It's so hearty that it's traditionally only served on Saturdays for lunch. Supposedly you get this one meal, your whole week is covered. For drinks, there is Cachaça. This is a liquor made from fermented sugarcane. It is the most popular distilled alcoholic beverage in Brazil. It's used to mix the very popular cocktail caipirinha. To drink it pure, look for the "gold"Cachaça, aged in wood barrels with dark color and premium quality.

Rio also has a big Japanese population. I am expecting to find some delicious sushi.

All this talk about food makes me hungry. Only four days to go!