Nothing is more Argentine than smooth, sinuous tango, yet Anthony Bourdain would never fall for the seductive embrace of this dance.
"Hell, no," Bourdain told Anderson Cooper. "No, that's not happening. Not with all the alcohol in the world."
"You'll eat goat intestines with chili, but you won't dare to dance tango?" Cooper shot back.
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"True."
Despite Bourdain's dread of tango, the Buenos Aires episode of "Parts Unknown" didn't leave this bewitching dance out.
And if Bourdain ever follows President Obama's lead and stops fearing tango, these five milongas (dance halls) or shows in Buenos Aires are well worth a visit:
Rojo Tango
The ultra glamorous dinner and show at Rojo Tango inside the Faena hotel is tango done exactly the way it should be: lavishly.
A live orchestra and sultry dancers set a high bar, and a high price.
It runs $290 per person for the show, dinner and drinks, or $220 for the show and drinks.
The Neighborhood Milonga
This neighborhood milonga takes place outdoors on the history rich Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo, and it's perfect Instagram material.
Put your best foot forward and dance under the stars on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m., free of charge.
La Catedral
An ideal spot for beginner lessons, La Catedral is where you can have a truly religious experience.
Stay for the milonga, where dance lovers spin, sway and swap partners until the break of dawn.
Confitería Ideal
This former menswear shop turned café and milonga keeps civilized hours for anyone unaccustomed to the tardiness of the porteños (the people of Buenos Aires).
Take a daytime lesson before joining the laid back crowd on the wooden dance floor and soaking up its unmatched vintage atmosphere.
La Viruta
The basement of an Armenian cultural center is an unlikely setting, but La Viruta is one of the most popular haunts among the young tangueros of Buenos Aires.
This is high energy tango at its finest: get ready to work up a sweat.
