CASA Tours Switchboard

Patagonian Cervecerias

Posted on August 11th, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: The Apres Ski Lounge, Recent Posts, From the Guides, South America Food & Wine.

By M. David Johnson
Many people have caught on how serious Argentines take their food and drink. Argentina is often recognized as having the best beef in the world as well as producing some fantastic wines including Malbecs and Cabarnet Sauvignons. Argentines are also very proud of their Italian heritage and serve up some delicious pastas and pizzas. They are crazy for their national drink mate which has an entire culture surrounding it.
However down here in Patagonia and the lakes district, where there is a strong German influence, beer is taken very seriously. In Bariloche alone there are over a dozen microbreweries handcrafting tasty stouts, lagers, wheats, golden ales, red ales, IPA’s, bocks, frambuesas and scotch ales to name a few. These artisan beers are found throughout the region and can be enjoyed at many different pubs as well as the breweries themselves. One of the most distinct breweries in the region is found just outside the town of Bolson and is called the El Bolson Ceveceria. Walking through the front glass doors the visitor is immersed in a scent of fresh hops. This German influenced brewery serves up all its selections of tap, offers tasters, and can be complimented with a daily lunch/dinner special. Even better it has a campground on its premises so one can really indulge in all its flavors.
In Bariloche, I highly recommend visiting La Berlina where one can get scrumptious pizzas and platters of smoked deer, boar, trout and salmon as well as a variety of cheeses to go along with their handcrafted brews.
For a local watering hole try and find La Cruz, a micro micro brewery, where locals gather to meet up before heading out on the town. Situated in a very residential area, La Cruz can be a tough find, but its character and mouth watering IPA’s and Scotch Ales will be sure to delight.
Also in Bariloche is the Blest Brewery, a very fun and lively spot with plenty of brews on tap.
Yes the beer culture down here in Argentine Patagonia is fuerte and although it is somewhat overshadowed by its wine, beef and mate, it rates as some of the best beer I’ve ever tasted and offers a unique atmosphere for beer connoisseurs.

0 comments.

Chocolate Steaks in Las Trancas

Posted on August 2nd, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: The Apres Ski Lounge, Recent Posts, South America Food & Wine.

Heading to ski/snowboard at Termas de Chillan?

Check out the restaurant Oliva´s in Las Trancas.  For delicious food, including Oliva´s signature dish, a juicy steak complimented with a savory chocolate sauce and toasted almonds, the best pisco sour in Las Trancas, and live music, stop into this classic Chilean restaurant.  This is certainly the best bar/restaurant in the Las Trancas valley.  Give Hansie a big what´s up and enjoy the warm hospitality, live entertainment, and fantastic food.  Oliva´s is a great way to finish off a stellar day at the hill.

0 comments.

Pisco Sour

Posted on March 20th, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: The Apres Ski Lounge, South America Food & Wine.

by M David Johnson

Recipe for PISCO SOUR
Ingredients
2 oz pisco sour
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 egg white
1 dash of Bitters
Directions
Shake Ingredients vigourously with ice or blend with 4-5 full ice cubes
Strain into a champagne flute and add the bitters as an aromatic garnish

Pisco is a clear spirit distilled from high sugar grapes grown in Chile and Peru. It varies in strength from 33% alcohol to 50% with the prices varying accordingly. The finest piscos come from limited-production pisquerias such as Horcon Quemado. Traditionally served as a pisco sour, it is also popular with Coca Cola as a piscola.

Some fun places in Santiago, Chile to enjoy a refreshing Pisco Sour:
10 Best Nightlife Spots in Santiago, Chile
A Weekend in Santiago, Chile
Etniko Constitucion 172, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
La Casa en el Aire Antonia Lopez de Bello 0125 Providencia , Santiago (Chile) , 02 7356680
Bar Liguria Avenida Providencia 1373, Santiago, Chile · 56-2-253-7914
Batuta jorge washington 52 :: PLAZA ÑUÑOA :: santiago de chile :: 56-2-2747096
La Piojera Location: Aillavilú Nº 1030
Flannerys Irish Pub Encomenderos 83, Santiago, Chile · 56-2-233-6675
Phone Box Pub Avenida Providencia 1652, Santiago, Chile · 56-2-235-9972

Where was your best Pisco Sour? Or can’t you remember, many say Pisco is Tequilla on Steroids.

1 comment.

Santiago Sushi

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: The Apres Ski Lounge, South America Food & Wine.

by M David Johnson

Blessed with over 4000 miles of Pacific coastline, Chile’s sushi supply is extraordinary. In Santiago, Chile’s capital city, Etniko serves up sushi with a hip vibe and the freshest of fresh fish. Accompanied by dj’s spinning records and a super chic bar, Etniko is the place to be for this raw delicacy. Talented sushi chefs create imaginative rolls as well as the basics. Large groups can feast on sushi boats, filled with many different flavors and varieties. The bar serves one of the best Pisco Sours, a Chilean speciality, and pours many a champagne and Red Bull to get you going for the vibrant night scene in Santiago’s Barrio Bellavista. Don’t plan on showing up till at least 10pm and even then you will be just getting the restaurant going. Chile’s dining culture starts late and clubs don’t get bumping until 2 am. Etniko is located on Constitucion 172, just down the street from Nobel prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda’s casa. Pay attention, it is easy to walk past this unassuming restaurant and if you are craving sushi while in Santiago you will not want to miss out.

The Best Sushi in Chile…

Etniko Sushi - Constitucion 172 - Bellavista District, Santiago 56-2-732-0119

Sushihana - Vitacura 2947 - Las Condes, Santiago 56-2-233-2801

Sushi House - Vitacura 5293 - Las Condes, Santiago 56-2-247-9200

Japon - Baron Pierre de Coubertin 39 (Ex-Marcoleta) por Vicuna Mackenna, Santiago Centr, 56-2-222-5417

For some reviews click here.

If you have eaten some Sushi in Chile or Argentina let us know about it!

0 comments.