valparaiso restaurants hotels things to do

Valparaiso after the earthquake

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:56:50 +0000

Last Saturday, Chile was hit by a mayor earthquake and Valparaiso was very very lucky. Slowely life is taking it’s normal pace again in the Fifth Region. It will take longer in the South of the country and we send all are strength to everybody suffering the consequences of the earthquake. Travelling in Chile is safe, there will always be tectonic activity, but nothing to worry about. Here in Valparaiso you will find no problems in getting around, admiring the urbanic landscape, having a nice diner, visiting a cafe or doing whatever visitors did before in Valparaiso.

ViaViacafe Valparaiso restaurant and hotel

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:36:50 +0000

We did not update the site for a while but we have a good excuse.

A couple of days ago we opened our own Belgian Bistro and Art Deco Hotel in Valparaiso.

If you want to try Belgian Waffles, a Duvel (Belgian Beer) or other Belgian and international classics with a little twist, drop by at ViaViaCafe Valparaiso We are open for friends and organize daily try-outs of the menu . Check out the page for the opening dates and to become a friend.

A Chilean Ramada

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:55:33 +0000

As Chileans are proud citizens , their national independent day does not take just one day but several days of partying. Around the 18th of September friends and family have spontaneous asados (barbecues) or join a more ‘organized’ popular event called Ramada or Fonda Guachaca. Squares are taken in by chairs, stands, barbecues and dance floors. Huasos (the traditional Chilean cowboys) show off their skills as do the drunks and the Cueca is being danced by young and old.

In the Ex-carcel, an old prison building used as a cultural meeting place nowadays, an oficial fonda guachaca is taken place on the 18th and 19th of September. Entrance fee is CLP5.000 and the fonda kicks off at 21h00.

(image: www.guachacas.cl)

Traditional Tea at Cafe Con letras

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:56:09 +0000

Chileans traditionally have their tea, also known as onces, around 7pm. Cafe Con Letras is a cosy, quiet place to try a typical Chilean tea, including a sandwich, pie, coffee or tea. The place offers a dozen tables surrounded by bookstands, feel free to browse through them. In 2009, they won the prize for the best once patrimonial in Valparaiso for the second time. For CLP3.500 you have coffee or tea, homemade pie, crunchy sopaipillas and a sandwich. Our personal favourite at Cafe Con Letras is a steaming hot chocolate with an incredible kuchen de manzana, best described as a reversed apple crumble, outside at the tiny terrace.

You find Café con Letras on the corner of Almirante Montt where Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción meet. Check www.cafeconletras.cl

Valparaiso in a day with the ‘O’

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:58:27 +0000

There is way to see and understand the basics of Valparaiso’s unique geography in one day: the ‘O’.

The microbus nr. 612 is not just a part of Porteños daily transport: it takes you up the hills, through the barrios and the old center and up to a completely different part of town. It also takes you to Pablo Neruda’s famous museum, Plaza Echaurren, the central market, a unique city beach and Viña del Mar. Learn all about the ‘O’ here.

Valparaiso´s fish classics

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:10:35 +0000

We added Porto Viejo to our all time Valparaiso restaurant favourites. Why? Because they serve the Chilean fish classics in a no nonsense way with fresh products. Because of the correct and fast service. And because they bring new quality in an old setting, the Barrio Puerto: Valparaiso´s most traditional area and UNESCO world heritage.

Check their page here.

Sunday lunch at Dimalow

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:55:15 +0000

On Sunday afternoon many restaurants are closed in Valparaiso, as in the rest of the world. This is no reason for an empty stomach because Valpo does have a gastronomic Sunday offer in Barrio Puerto, on the caletas and on Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre.

We tried Restaurant Dimalow´s fixed lunch for two Sundays in a row. Their CLP8.000 menu comes with a starter, main course and dessert. The refreshing quinoa with fried vegetables and the portobello quiche got us in the right mood for the main dish. I had a steak of quality meat on a flavoured puree with a perfect texture accomponied by a mildly creamy sauce of roasted peppers – a personal favourite- with some touches of basil flavoured oil. On the other side of the table the Corvina with a curried zuchini sauce was baked to perfection and accompanied by an original pebre de mote (spicy chopped tomatoes and onions with Chilean boiled corn). The chocolate mousse reminded me more of a panacota but did it’s dessert job and the cheesecake with red fruits was just right, crunchy pastry and not too sweet.

Contemporary and original cuisine, delicate sauces and an oustanding friendly and correct service make you want to spend a part of your precious Valpo time in Dimalow.

Dimalow, Passage Dimalow, Cerro Alegre. Valparaiso.

Hostel review: Casa Verde Limon

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:44:53 +0000

An old, refreshed house in an interesting neighbourhood with a charming little park in front.

That is the setting of Hostel Casa Verde Limon on Cerro Carcel. Just a few meters from Valparaiso old prison, nowadays Parque Cultural ex-carcel, and the fascinating cemetaries 1 and 2.

We checked out Hostel Casa Verde Limon and recommend it for its setting, its original patio and the subtle combination of basic comfort with colourful and light decoration.

Read the complete article here.

restaurant tips and (dirty) tricks

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:13:51 +0000

Something has been drawing my attention the latest weeks in Valparaiso. Several restaurants add a (credit card) note with a 10% extra on top of the normal bill. They then return the change that corresponds to this note and not to the real amount of the check. When I look at other people’s checks, or better Chilean people checks, this does not occur. My conclusion is that in some restaurants staff try to take their 10% tip, whether I like it or not, and because I look European/Gringo. Do not accept this if it happens to you because it is illegal. Always ask for the right change and then leave the tip you wish to leave. Do not feel embarrassed to explain this in your ‘horrible’ Spanish because that is what some people are counting on. Just stay friendly and calm, ask for the right change, and this extra note practice will disapear as fast as it came.

Note: Waiters and waitresses in Chile have a very low basic salary. Half of their income is depending on your tips. If you are happy with the service, a voluntary 10% tip is standard. You can always leave more of course.

Le Chat Botté, barrio puerto’s newest restaurant

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:48:20 +0000

There is a newcomer in Barrio Puerto´s restaurant scene. Le chat botté invites you for a daily lunch at 12.30 and an after office starting from 19.00. We tried lunch last week and had a very good price-quality meal with a fresh juice for CLP3.500 (US$6). As the name of the restaurant suggests the food is French inspired. Although we did not find Marquis de Carabas in the kitchen, the vinaigrettes, sauces, gratin dauphinois, cous cous and kebabs indicate a French ánd Mediterranean background. The interior design, lighting and atmosphere are a complete style break with the surroundings and the street and deserve an applause (and visit).

Le Chat Botté. Cochrane 558. Valparaiso.