Santiago De Chile Food
Santiago de Chile may not be the best place to dash around seeing the sights, but if you are looking for a tranquil setting to enjoy some good food and wine, it is an excellent place to be.
The city is not known as a great tourist attraction as, despite its dramatic setting in the mountains and proximity to ski resorts, there is not a lot to do when compared to trendy big brother, Buenos Aires. It does, however, make the perfect location for those happy to sit with fine food, fine wine and a penchant for pondering life.
It is said that because Santiago is a place where tourists have to amuse themselves, alcohol consumption among visitors reaches a record high. It is worth pointing out, however, that you are unlikely to hear many complaints from sozzled culture-seekers when quality is as good and prices so cheap as this.
Santiago is said to be a centre for Chileans for its food and restaurants as much as it is for everything else and a smattering of Spanish can ease the food ordering process considerably.
Seafood is the Chilean speciality here, with the local favourites being 'machas' (Chilean clams) and Ceviche. If you're not a seafood fan, you may well be missing out on some of the best of Santiago dining, as other fare tends to be fairly globalised along the lines of pasta. Traditionalists can, however, always rely on that South American staple ? a steakhouse ? for a top class culinary cultural experience.
Another Santiago treat is the street vendors. After your evening meal, wander down the sidewalk and try your luck with the ice cream hawkers. You can't argue with their prices and it's a demonstration of the local economy and entrepreneurial spirit that this is how so many make their living.
For an outing to view the liquid offerings of the city, take a trip to the nearby Concha y Toro vineyards. Chilean wine is famous all over the world and is believed to have health benefits. One UK cardiologist, Dr William McCrea, even advises a glass of Chilean red wine a day as prevention against heart attacks. Chilean wine has a high proportion of antioxidants, which are believed to be of benefit, so there is an excellent excuse to indulge in the local produce.
If you are not sure where to start, the best place to begin is the Barrio Brazil neighbourhood. This young district is becoming increasingly popular with locals and is the best spot by far for people-watching. It is also home to perhaps the city's most famous restaurant ? not a seafood place, but a steakhouse on Cienfuegos called Las Vacas Gordas.
When eating in Santiago de Chile, the overwhelming advice seems to be to take it slowly, chill out and don't have massive expectations of the service. Learn some Spanish, maintain a smile and you're bound to be pleasantly surprised.
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Eating & Drinking
