Chile Forum

I've enjoyed Costanazca on Principe De Gales, La Reina. i'm partial to the Pepper Steak. Been going there for the last two years and always been good. Hope to try El Fogon de Gaucho on Echenique next week.

Snowman - It's been a while since I have been there, but Fogón de Gaucho was quite good when I went (I live right up the street). The prices were reasonable for the portions they served. I prefer Mare Nostrum to Costanazca, but it is pricier.

gringalais wrote:Snowman - It's been a while since I have been there, but Fogón de Gaucho was quite good when I went (I live right up the street). The prices were reasonable for the portions they served. I prefer Mare Nostrum to Costanazca, but it is pricier.

Which would you prefer, Fogon de Gaucho or Mare Nostrum? The experience is more important than the price (within reason). Perhaps we will try both, why not?

Depends on what type of cuisine you are in the mood for, I would say, but definitely check out both eventually.

How about great bakeries/patisseries?

I remember Santiago had some terrific ones like "Dulceria Las Palmas" and another one on Av. El Bosque - between Apoquindo and Tobalaba - sorry I can't remember the name. In Vina del Mar of course there were many like the Samoiedo on Calle Valparaiso and more in Renaca, which again my mind has totally obliterated those facts.

Now that we are going to travel around the south of Chile for 2 months looking for a place to buy - anything between coastal Concepcion to river/lake-front down until Coihaique, I was wondering if anyone could give me some good tips on something for the sweet-toothed. Of course we will be having the usual mariscos and asados a la chilena - with some nice drops to go with it - and we are looking forward to the best empanadas and centollas as well. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

I almost don't want to say... but we aren't big fans of Chilean food. ....so with that worm out of the can, I will mention some places we have liked here in Santiago

For Pizzas.. we go to Tiramisu. It's very popular with tourists and locals, but the pizzas are yummy! Go before 8 pm, it gets crowded after.
For Indian, we've been going to Majestic. Very dee-lish tandoori foods...meat and veg and traditional breads.
For Peruvian - Hubby goes to eat at Aji Seco nearly everyday, very popular with the Chilenos.. good, basic Peruvian food.
Osaka Peru/Japa fusion... we loved this place in Lima, and it is excellent here too, but quite $$$$ for what you get!
Nolita, kind of a classy bistro style place with excellent hand made pastas, a focus on using seafood, good wine list, and classy service... upscale and a bit on the pricey side, but if you're looking for a special place for the evening, it will fit the bill.

We also like Tanta and La Mar, but really... they are not as good as the originals in Lima. Go to Tanta for Limeno style Alfajores.

We've tried plenty of other places so far, but since we're trying to stay w/ positive reviews... I'm leaving that out!

Saludos!
MJ

My favourite restaurants:

Astrid y Gaston (for special occasions)
Ox (for meat lovers!)
Puerto Fuy (for special occasions)
Santa Brasa on Alonso de Cordova - excellent steak
Osaka (in the W on Isidora Gyonechea) - fab Peruvian Japanese. The best Sushi on the continent and perhaps further afield.
For Pizza - Peccatore at Borderio - thin crust pizzas to die for
Mestizo (The pinchas de Jaiva!)
Miguel Torres (but only tapas style i.e. heaps of entrees to share)
Nolita
La Cascade at Borderio (French)
La Mar - the best boozy Friday lunch venue! Potent Pisco Sours.

tombrad2 wrote:Here in Arica there is Terra Amata (pricey) and Picada del Muertito, near the cementery at Azapa Valley, among others

LOL - I'm not sure a word for "dead men" belongs in a restaurant's name. The food they serve must be very good indeed.

I have eaten at Opera on Merced in Centro a couple of times lately and it was excellent. I highly recommend it! Great "New York Bistro" style food, and for the standard, not terribly expensive. It is right near Bellas Artes Metro too, which means we can both have a drink!

I heard good stuff about Opera...

Recently discovered Osadia on Nueva Costanera - the food was fantastic and they have a good buffet option for 12,000 including a glass of Espumoso

Also, had lunch today at Da Carla, also on Nueva Costanera, fab Italian!

We recently were in Uruguay and loved the barbecue there. When we came back, we decided to try out the food at La Uruguaya (José Domingo Cañas/José Manuel Infante in Ñuñoa). They have another on Rancagua. Great meats, cooked over a log fire (a la leña). The bill was 16,000 pesos for two. I had the asado de tira and my husband had a lomo and a morcilla. The bill also included 2 mineral waters and a 500 ml carafe of Santa Ema house wine. Very good for the price, similar to what we ate in Uruguay, and the waiter was Uruguayan.