Santiago, Chile 2015 – Day One

Santiago, Chile 2015

Day One

Our 2015 Messina Hof VIP trip took us to the wine regions of Chile.  Paul and I arrivedearly to scout the area and become more familiar with the culture.  It always proves in the end to be about the people and not the places, food or the wine.

When we arrived at the airport we took the local shuttle to our Hotel Kennedy.  It cost $13 each – almost half the price of a taxi.  The ride was 30 minutes.  On our shuttle was anAmerican expatriate from Alabama teaching English in Chile.  He had lived there almost three years and was so helpful in providing information about the area, culture, and food.

Restaurant Owner Jara

At Hotel Kennedy the staff was friendly, respectful, and our room very comfortable and clean.  It was only three blocks from a very large, modern mall, 6 blocks from the Vitacura area shopping and restaurants, and only a 5 minute taxi ride to the largest mall in all of South America.  Vitacura is the more modern wealthier area of Santiago.

Pastel de choclo

Ceviche at Deja Senti

Flat iron steak at Déjà Senti

The first restaurant experience was Deja Senti.  Privately owned by Karina Araya Jara and located at Av. Vitacura 4355 Vitacura, the ambience was comfortable indoors and out, the service excellent and the food deliciously local.From fresh Ceviche, to Entrana (like a flat iron steak with mushroom sauce), to Pastel de Choclo Deja Senti (local sweet corn creamed with Asiago cheese almost like a cross betwee grits and creamed corn served with grilled chicken, and chili spiced beef cubes (this is a local dish with many variationsand very Chilean), to Volcan de Chocolate (chocolate cake with molten chocolate center) each dish was flavorful and unique.

 The Errazuriz Reserve Carmenere was the perfect pairing for all.   It was delightful to meet the entire family of the restaurant – even her 3 year old daughter Camila.

You can see more information about this restaurant at Paul’s trip advisor posting.