Santiago de Chile, from 'ni fu ni fa' to 'I'm staying three more days'
That is why we recommend that, between Patagonia and Atacama, between lakes, volcanoes, cruises and a Today I get lost in nature , save the necessary time to feel the hustle and bustle of Santiago. Here we leave you 7 reasons to convince you, great excuses for lovers of eating and drinking but also for those who are curious and enjoy dribbling at night.
1. THE CLINIC : SATIRE ON THE TABLE
Imagine a restaurant inspired by El Jueves magazine or its 21st century cousin, Mongolia. Well, The Clinic, a place full of satire and acid humor , could be the Chilean version. And very Chilean because a good number of the graffiti, incendiary phrases and caricatures of politicians and celebrities that adorn its walls need to be explained by a native in order to be fully understood.
In any case, this gastronomic space, which also has its representative in the newsstands, draws attention to its staging . So you can come with the excuse of trying their pork tenderloin, their crab cake or their wines (it offers quality references but without being shrill) and recreate yourself with their atmosphere. And all this in a large building that was built in 1920 and that presents a somewhat labyrinthine structure where there are the most varied corners, including artistic exhibitions and a small cinema where independent Latin American films are screened.
satire restaurant
two. DOORS INSIDE THE MOUTH AND NOSE
Almost antagonistic to the atmosphere of The Clinic, we sneak into Santiago Puertas Adentro. It is the house of Carolina Blanco , a charming and well-read lady who has conditioned her apartment (that's what they call flats in Chile) as a restaurant. works under reservation (at least three days in advance) and for a reduced number of diners. The hostess receives the guests cordially and if you are curious, you can chat with her and discover a good number of anecdotes from family memories and the history of Chile. On the table, where every detail is taken care of to the maximum, typical dishes are served that would not be out of place in a Santiago home (for the locals, on the other hand, it offers an international menu).
If you do not want to live such an intimate experience, one option to consider is Mouth nose that stands out for its wine list, varied and awarded for its quality . Thus one can opt for recognized labels, author proposals or thematic tastings such as Flights that serve to discover the most thriving trends in current Chilean viticulture . These broths enhance the flavors of a menu of more than 40 dishes which are served on most occasions with modern presentations. The restaurant's discourse, which is ultimately tasty, deals with concepts such as iodinated, creamy or herbaceous.
Learn everything about Chilean wines
3. WHAT TO SEE IN BELLAVISTA
Of indigenous and humble origin, Bellavista is probably the most appetizing neighborhood in Santiago . Here you will find movement both day and night, in a casual, bohemian and even hooligan atmosphere. In addition, cultural centers and theaters such as Ladrón de Bicicletas, San Ginés, Mori or Montecarmelo usually offer interesting proposals. also welcomes the largest park in the capital, the Metropolitan , which is located in the San Cristobal hill . It has a funicular that has two stops: the zoo and at one of the highest points in the city, a viewing terrace. If instead of getting cultured, seeing bugs or enjoying panoramic views, what you want is to stay up late, you have to be in the Pío Nono street and its surroundings . Bellavista combines, above all, a wide variety of proposals and people, all mixed together, giving rise to a vibrant cocktail.
The views from the Cerro de San Cristóbal
Four. HEY WEON!
Now that we have begun to become intimate with the people of Santiago, it's time to make a point . If the night comes and you begin to notice that it is difficult for you to understand them, perhaps you have gone too far with the Pisco Sour (they prepare them with great care) . But let's not blame it all on alcohol but on the fact that we speak a somewhat different Spanish from yours. So, leaning on a bar counter or standing in line on the subway, it's not uncommon to hear conversations like: Hey man! Let's meet tomorrow after the hit. There is a cool reel and the topknot is cheap, so don't worry for the lucas (Hey man, we are meeting tomorrow after work. There is a very cool party with very cheap drinks, so don't worry about money). Our recommendation: open your ears and ask for another pisco.
5. FROM NERUDA TO THE CEMETERY
And if it's about talking, ** Pablo Neruda **, given how the verses sprouted from him, he must have had a good bit of gold. We can imagine him, for example, conquering Matilde Urrutia , perhaps the great love of her life. To enjoy the forbidden joys with this woman (at that time he was married although he later separated and regularized her relationship) he had the construction of The chascona (located in Bellavista) . In its design and decoration, the poet who left his mark on this unique house was profusely involved. The building houses an interesting art gallery and curious collections of furniture, as well as belongings by the author of Twenty love poems and a desperate song.
Neruda died in 1973, shortly after Salvador Allende , and he was buried in the Santiago Municipal Cemetery . Today you cannot visit his tomb (his remains were exhumed) but you can walk through this holy field where important Chilean figures rest. It is worth it for its tranquility, to remember (or discover) the local history and for its monumental value. In addition, among his mausoleums (the most varied, from Allende to Los Payasos, passing through Zapateros and Periodistas) they hide infinity of curiosities, like that of Romualdito , known as The Child of Miracles. It is not a bad idea to sign up for a guided tour, either through an agency or in the cemetery itself, in order to get the most out of the visit.
Santiago is Neruda
6. COFFEE WITH LEGS AND LEGS TO KICK NEIGHBORHOODS
Although it is said that everything happens in Bellavista, there are many other neighborhoods to let loose in Santiago. Lastarria It is a privileged area of the capital that offers design (write down the names of Ají , Hall Central and Cepaz ) and two of its most important museums (Fine Arts and Contemporary Art ), as well as some interesting gastronomic proposals (try find the Café Escondido ) and musicals (such as Thelonious, perfect for a drink to the rhythm of jazz) .
Lastarria, the hype neighborhood
You can continue walking among the mansions of the Yungay neighborhood and, although it is not overwhelming, it is worth dropping by the historic center. It is time to sharpen the senses and, between the Plaza de Armas, the Palacio de la Moneda and the Portal Bulnes , encourage you to try the peach and barley drink in a street stall and go into its municipal markets or in one of the many galleries in the city. There, under the arcades, are usually located the so-called cafes with legs , famous because the waitresses always teach cacha (in the 90s the male version was tried but, perhaps due to excess hair, the idea did not succeed) . These establishments, which when they emerged were a complete revolution, They tell us about the morality of Chilean society . Today there are for all tastes, from those that exude almost refined airs to others with phosphorescent lights that would not be out of place on the side of a highway. In the latter it might seem that gin and tonics are still prepared the old-fashioned way , without frills or colored petals and in a highball glass; but the reality is that they do not serve alcohol and the riskiest bet is a double coffee.
Yungay neighborhood
7. FROM SANTIAGO TO WHERE YOU PLEASE
The good thing about Santiago is that when you get tired of its neighborhoods and their ups and downs, it offers you endless possibilities. If you do not want to go very far, in its surroundings it is possible to visit the Maipo Valley to soak up the wine culture. The Andes Mountains , visible from anywhere in the city, is a very powerful temptation to ski just 40 km from the historic center. A little further, an hour and a half by car, are Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, always waiting for the end of the southern summer to go on vacation.
But since we have crossed the pond we cannot miss the fact that Chile's territories cover three continents (America, Oceania and Antarctica). So man (said with good vibes) it's time to say goodbye to Santiago and say hello to wonders such as the Atacama desert, Patagonia or Easter Island.
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A city that hooks