Ju L.
Yelp
Touristy, yes... but a fun, classic parrilla!
Don't bother with the combined meat + potatoes dishes on their "specials" list. Instead, you should order cuts of meat separately and then any sides to share. We learned this the hard way when two plates of beef drowned in mysterious gravies arrived at our table. The beef was overcooked, and I knew Desnivel could do better just by seeing the gorgeous slabs of grilled meat being sawed into at a nearby table.
The bread was what I've come to understand is default in this country: pale, cold baguette with a soft, fluffy crumb and slightly chalky exterior, baked to a little point on the ends. They bring a bowl of chimichurri for dipping. None of this bread is worth eating in this state, but it's totally standard for Argentina.
Out of curiosity, we also ordered the "veal stew" listed under the "sauces" section of the menu, and it ended up being a huge plate of veal chunks in tomato stew. I know it's gauche to wrap up leftovers in Buenos Aires, but this "sauce" became our breakfast the next day.
The menu is fully translated into English, half bottles of wine are available for not very much at all, and the restaurant is lively into the night, which cancels out its unpleasant fluorescent lighting.
Worth a visit? If you want an entirely casual Argentinean parrilla with zero steakhouse pretensions, Desnivel is as good as any, and probably the best choice in San Telmo. Go all out, and remember to only order from the list of plain meats!