Puma
5-Course Inventive Argentine Tasting Event
Debuting in 2024, this exceptional eatery in the Core City neighborhood that celebrates the Argentinian parilla tradition of wood-fired cookery was named by the Detroit Free Press as the “Best New Restaurant of 2025.” What’s more, Chef Javier Bardauil, whose first venture, Barda, was a Finalist for a James Beard “Best New Restaurant” Award, was a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for “Best Chef: Great Lakes.” At Puma, he explores contemporary Latin cuisine through a lens that blends food with music, art, and creative exchange, presenting a modern perspective that reflects the diversity, evolution, and vibrancy of Latin culture today. Here, diners discover dishes like tuna crudo, octopus ceviche, grilled portobellos, Bolivian fried chicken with aji verde sauce, bavette steak with fresh chimichurri, and sweets like dulce de leche ice cream with salted peanuts and mango sorbet with taíjn and lime. “Exceptional… a talented chef like Bardauil can’t help but offer a memorable dinner from start to finish,” says Hour Detroit. Naturally, we are excited to visit here and to chat with Chef Bardauil about the cuisine of his home country. Join us, won’t you?
About the Host:
Javier Bardauil
Chef/Owner
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Chef Javier Bardauil began his culinary training at the Argentine Gastronomy Institute and the Lenôtre School in Paris. His career first blossomed under the mentorship of the legendary Argentine chef Francis Mallmann at Patagonia Sur, where he mastered the art of cooking with open flames. After cooking in Spain, France, and Italy, he returned to Argentina to serve as Culinary Director of Happening, one of Buenos Aires’ most venerated steakhouses. In 2019, he and his family moved to Detroit, where he opened Barda in 2021.
The Lineup
Courses #1, #2, #4 & #5 will be individually plated; course #3 will be served family-style. This menu will be Shellfish, Mushroom & Soy Free. For a list of restrictions/allergies Chef is accommodating, click here.
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Smashed Cucumber Salad
crema, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, peanut
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Tuna Crudo Tostada
coconut, chili oil, scallion
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Provoleta
melted cheese, grilled bread, fresh chimichurri
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Bolivian Crispy Chicken
ají verde sauce, pickled jalapeño, jicama apple salad
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Flan, Puma-Style
dulce de leche sauce
Puma
4725 16th St
Detroit, MI 48208
More Event Info
Dietary Restrictions Accommodation Policy:
Due to the large-format nature of this event, all accommodation requests must be Added To Your Profile, or Emailed To Us no later than 72 hours before the event. Requests submitted after this date will not be accommodated. Additionally, Puma will only be accommodating certain dietary restrictions/food allergies, and they are unable to make menu adjustments based on distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles.
See below for guidance on whether or not they will be accommodating your restriction. Or, if your restriction is not represented below, Contact Us prior to booking tickets for guidance.
- Vegetarians: There is Tuna in Course 2 and Chicken in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Pescatarians: There is Chicken in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Gluten: There is Gluten in Course 3, Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Dairy:
• Milk/Cream: Milk/Cream is in Course 1, Course 4, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided
• Cheese: Cow's Milk Cheese is in Course 3. Substitutions will be provided
- Shellfish: This menu is shellfish-free.
- Fish: There is Tuna in Course 2. Substitutions will be provided.
- Eggs: There are Eggs in Course 4, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided.
- Peanuts: There are Peanuts in Course 1. Substitutions will be provided.
- Tree Nuts: There is Coconut in Course 2. Substitutions will be provided.
- Alliums:
• Garlic: There is Garlic (Raw) in Course 1, Garlic (Raw) in Course 3 and Garlic (Raw) in Course 4. Substitutions will not be provided.
• Other alliums: There is Scallion (Raw) in Course 2 and Red Onion (Raw) in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Mushrooms: This menu is mushroom-free.
- Soy: This menu is soy-free.
Have Additional Questions?
Check out Event FAQs or Contact Us for assistance.
