Bites Nearby: Pampas Argentinas Steakhouse, Seafood Grill and Restaurant

The South American Pampas region consists of roughly 300,000 square miles of flat, fertile, grassy plains where the continent’s original cowboys or “gauchos” still roam on horseback. The section that encompasses Argentina’s Cordoba province is considered one of the world’s richest grazing areas for cattle, and its cuisine reflects a love of barbecued beef.

Steakhouse, Seafood Grill and Restaurant, while not particularly grassy or fertile, offers mouth-watering meat dishes in a classy ambiance that would make any gaucho feel at home. Plus, the Metropolitan Avenue eatery serves up more urban Argentinian favorites, such as sangria, Malbec wine and dulce de leche crepes.

The grill is certainly the place to be. Consider the following, all of which comes with a choice of French fries, mashed potatoes or rice: Pampas Mixed Grill ($39.95, for two), chorizo, black sausage, sweetbreads, short ribs and skirt steak; Pampas Skirt Steak ($39.95, 32 ounces); Skirt Steak ($18.95, 12 ounces); Strip Steak ($26.95, 16 ounces); Short Ribs ($23.95, 18 ounces); Bone-in Rib Eye Steak ($28.95, 18 ounces); Porterhouse Steak ($35.95, 22 ounces); and Filet Mignon Skewers ($25.95, 10 ounces).

The Shellfish and Chicken Paella ($26.90) includes fresh jumbo shrimp, little neck clams, mussels, calamari, chicken, spicy chorizo and Spanish rice cooked and served in a special paellera with garlic, onions, peas, roasted red peppers and saffron. Meanwhile, the Salmon Dijonaise ($22.90) mixes broiled salmon filet with lemon juice, olive oil, white wine, a mild Dijon mustard sauce, homemade Spanish potatoes and the vegetable of the day.

Another meaty option is the Pork Chops with Fresh Tomatoes and Herbs ($19.90) or thinned out pork chops sautéed in imported olive oil with garlic, sliced onions, sliced red and green peppers, tomatoes, fresh herbs and a touch of dry red wine with homemade Spanish potatoes.

There is also a Milanese Corner. The Gaucho Milanese ($17.90) is a pan-fried, breaded sirloin cutlet topped with two sunnyside eggs. The Chicken Milanese Fugazzeta ($17.90) consists of chicken bread cutlet topped with mozzarella, onions and oregano. The Beef Milanese Neapolitan ($18.90) has pan-fried breaded sirloin topped with ham, mozzarella and homemade tomato sauce.

Pasta specialties adorn the menu, too. The Fettuccini with Tomato Sauce or Rosé ($13.90) brings fresh fettuccini in the house tomato sauce with garlic, onions, fresh herbs and seasonings or a delicate pink sauce consisting of tomato and light cream. The Linguini Primavera ($15.90) has fresh linguini with broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, seasonal vegetables and herbs sautéed with garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

Beforehand, warm up with a cold appetizer. The Prosciutto with Melon or Hearts of Palm is $9.90 or the Avocado and Shrimp, halved avocado tapped with fresh jumbo shrimp on a bed of selected greens, cherry tomatoes and hearts of palm drizzled with lemon juice and extra virgin oil, runs $11.90.

Hot appetizer options include Beef Empanada ($2.90), basically patties with homemade prime quality beef, and Grilled Portobello ($5.50), mushrooms marinated in balsamic vinegar, imported olive oil, fresh herbs and house seasonings.

There are a few fetching salads, too, especially the Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes ($8.90), which features fresh mozzarella, beefsteak tomato slices and fresh basil, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and touch of balsamic vinagre.

Life improves at dessert time. The Dulce de Leche Crepes cost $6.50, while the Pampas Cup, ice cream over sliced bananas, topped with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup, goes for $8.90. Another mouth-watering choice is the Don Pedro ($9.90), vanilla ice cream with whiskey and nuts, topped with whipped cream.

Address: 105-07 Metropolitan Avenue.

Phone: 718-268-9606 or email to info@pampasargentinas.net, but reservations must be made by telephone.

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, noon to midnight; closed on Tuesday.

Specials: Bruch specials and all-you-can-eat prime mixed grill with appetizer and side orders for $29.95.