"Chilean Cuisine from Land and Sea “Chile has nearly 4,000 miles of coast, one of the most arid deserts on earth, and mountains that climb to 22,000 feet. Imagine the diversity,” marvels Rodolfo Guzmán. The chef behind Santiago’s restaurant Boragó is on a mission to promote his country’s over-looked ingredients, such as the superacidic copao fruit, which grows in the Atacama desert. “We want to show diners something that is only found here.” Many chefs source locally but then use European techniques in the kitchen. Guzmán, however, bakes his grouper and basil chlorophyll in a mud oven—a technique the indigenous Mapuche people have used for centuries. Avda. Nueva Costanera 3467, 56/(0) 2-953-8893. This appeared in the October 2012 issue."

"Chilean Classics and Santiago's Best Beef Empanadas Want to try hearty, rustic specialties that are considered true Chilean cooking? Look no further. This sprawling place on the outskirts of the city, in the foothills of the Andes, is a winner. Agustina Gómez de Olivares (aka Doña Tina), now 72, started decades ago selling "pan amasado," homemade dimpled bread along the road. Years later, the whole family is involved. She's stickler for seasonality so visit her during the summer months when corn is in season to try the heavenly national dish "pastel de choclo" or "humitas," fresh corn tamales with basil. However, faithful capitalinos make the schlep east for her baked beef empanadas with juicy stuffing. Camino Los Refugios del Arrayán 15125, Lo Barenechea Phone: 56 (2) 2321 6546"

"Breathe in Culture at Santiago's Opera House Santiago's municipal theater and opera house is the most prestigious venue for stage performing arts in the city. Home to the Santiago Philharmonic and Santiago Ballet, the theater hosts many concerts, operas, and ballets throughout the year in its exquisite neoclassical structure inaugurated in 1857. Located in the downtown between Santa Lucía Hill and the main square, a night out on the town to see a performance and then have post dinner at restaurant Opera is divine. For major functions, purchase tickets in advance or online."

"Strike a Pose The privately owned "Fashion Museum" is one of those quirky places in Santiago that is fun--especially if you have a love for fashion. Founded by the Yarur Bascuñán family, one of the textile moguls in Chile in the early 20th century, the museum's permanent collection spans several centuries. Attractions include John Lennon's jacket and Madonna's conical bra (designed by John Paul Gaultier) alongside dresses from Lady Di. Temporary exhibits have ranged from World War II uniforms to "Back to the Future" theme and currently Brazilian soccer. There's a café to linger on afterwards with an espresso."

"Culinary Bounty at Santiago's Largest Fresh Market In the center of Santiago , La Vega Central market dates back over 100 years with its humble origins as a few produce stalls. Today, it sprawls over several city blocks with friendly vendors hawking the freshest seasonal produce from Chile 's central valley and far-flung latitudes. Pink, plump native sweet garlic; huge pumpkins chunked down with orange flesh for stews; piles of yellow Chilean chilies, used in the piquant pebre; pink cranberry beans; and tantalizing fruit."

"Saunter the Cobblestone Streets and Lush Gardens Parque Forestal is Santiago's lung and central park. Created for the first centennial celebration in 1910, the park has become an iconic area of the city with elegant residential apartment buildings along the perimeter. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon is walking under the century-old trees and then strolling the cobblestoned streets of the adjoining Lastarria area. Parisian-style facades, cafés full of intellectual life, boutiques, museums like Bellas Artes (a copy of the Petit Palais in Paris), restaurants, and bars all bring this neighborhood to life."

"Concha y Toro Winery The Concha y Toro winery, located in Pirque, in the Maipo Valley, 45 minutes outside of Santiago , has steadily been making wine since it was originally established back in 1883. Upon arriving, visitors are taken on a fantastic tour of the grounds. You begin in the tasting room, where you sample a few of their choice selections of white wines. The tour then takes you around the grounds, through the vineyards, and eventually into the bowels of the winery where you will learn about the cellar Casillero del Diablo! Legend has it that the fine wines that reside in the cellar below are not only great libations, but are also eerily protected by the Devil himself (pictured above). Some will not venture to the cellar, some say they know people who have not returned from the cellar, while others claim to have glimpsed a shadow or a flicker that gave them the chills, so they quickly fled back to the safety of the daylight above."

"Ice Cream Ecstasy at El Toldo Azul One of the few artisanal ice cream spots in El Golf, El Toldo Azul has reinvented ice cream for the city’s foodies with its creamy texture, balanced pure taste, zero fillers or stablizers (all natural!) and constantly revolving flavors—up to 90 of them in total. Understated and stylish, it’s easy to get inspired and revisit with flavors like Chilean salted caramel, Southern chestnut ice cream, pear-red wine sorbet, or country-style yogurt with candied sesame. The ingredients are top notch from the Belgian chef’s (Mathieu Michel) garden along with imported products like Madasgascar vanilla, Sicilian pistachios and single origin chocolate from Ecuador. Isidora Goyenecha 3226 B, Las Condes: 569 9230 9988"