Departing
from the hotel at 10:00am, we drive to the downtown center and
the iconic Plaza de Armas. Here, we will learn
a bit of the history of the founding of the Republic of Chile
as well as discuss how the Spanish colonial past continues to
influence Chilean cuisine today.
Continuing
through the Plaza, we will walk the short distance to La
Vega Market, Santiago’s largest and most vibrant
produce market. A combination of four markets, La Vega
Central has been the largest market in the center of
Santiago dating back over 200 years. Local families shop for their
meals alongside buyers from Santiago’s top restaurants.
Your guide will provide samples of some of Chile’s delicious
native fruits for you to taste. We’ll stop at a small local
restaurant to try one of Chile’s best homemade classics:
porotos granados or cazuela, both warm and comforting soups.
Following
our sampling, what better time to try one of Chile’s most
typical drinks! We’ll taste a homemade “cola de mono”
(monkey’s tail), a creamy drink usually served around the
holidays, or a “terremoto” (earthquake), made with
pineapple ice cream and white wine called pipeño.
We’ll
head out of the market on foot and cross the Mapocho River to
enter the Mercado Central, Santiago’s famous
seafood market, where you will witness the bounty of the Chilean
seas. Of course, the experience will not be complete until you
sample a fresh seafood empanada (alternatives available upon request)
paired with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Chile’s San Antonio
Valley.
Next,
we will drive uptown to Santiago’s commercial district for
a sampling of Chile’s emerging gourmet industry in a premium
gourmet store called Coquniaria, in the basement of the W
Hotel. Here we’ll have a delicious tasting of Chilean
gourmet products.
And
let’s not forget the most important course in the Chilean
meal, “el postre.” Chileans are experts when it comes
to dessert, and the sheer quantity of diverse cakes and tarts
makes it impossible to try them all. We will sample a delicious
variety and enjoy a cup of coffee at the Emporio La Rosa
café, near the verdant Plaza Peru in the upscale Las Condes
neighborhood.
Meals
Included: Tastings at local markets and shops
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