Less spicy than Mexican food, Chilean cuisine usually features a mixture of marinated meats or fresh seafood with garden vegetables, packed inside or between fresh bread, as in an empanada or chacarero. Though widely recognized as the nation's biggest "melting pot," New York City has very few Chilean restaurants. If you're in New York to practice your swing at the Chelsea Piers Golf Club or just cruising through in between tournaments, stop by any of these restaurants to experience a taste of Chile, whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. They offer excellent selections of authentic, traditional Chilean dishes along with a friendly Chilean waitstaff that is proud of its gastronomic heritage.
Barros Luco
If you're in the mood for a mouth-watering empanada, this is the place to go. The beef filling for the empanadas is marinated overnight, diced into traditional cubes, then baked with fresh raisins, a hard-boiled egg and olives the following day to ensure a flavorful experience. If you don't want beef, baked chicken and shrimp with cheese empanadas are available. Each comes with a side of Barros Luco's special Pebre sauce. Order up a side of sweet potato fries and you're all set. Minimal seating for patrons is located in the upstairs portion of the restaurant. Online ordering also available. The average entree price is $5.
Barros Luco
300½ E. 52nd St.
New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-0100
barrosluco.com
Pomaire
This intimate and charming Chilean restaurant can be found amidst the bustle of midtown Manhattan, secreted within Restaurant Row right on 46th Street. Don't be too surprised by the enthusiastic nature of the staff or the establishment's owner, who is known to walk among tables and introduce himself. Start with the tartaro de salmon, relish the plateada entree (Maipo Valley roasted beef), then finish everything off with a sumptuous vanilla flan. Make sure to head over early to avoid the pre-theater crowd. A prix fixe dinner with a choice of appetizer, entree, dessert and a glass of Chilean wine is $29.95. The average entree price is $26. For a relaxing, romantic Chilean dinner, nowhere else in Manhattan beats Pomaire.
Pomaire
371 W. 46th St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 956-3056
pomairenyc.com
San Antonio Bakery 2
Across the 59th Street Bridge lies Astoria, Queens, an area rich with traditional ethnic establishments and an extremely diverse immigrant population. Tucked away on Astoria Boulevard you'll find the San Antonio Bakery 2, a modest restaurant that has locals coming back again and again for great prices and amazing Chilean-American cuisine. Most of the popularity rests with San Antonio Bakery 2's famous Chilean hot dog, smothered with avocado purée, onions, mayonnaise, tomato and salsa, all enclosed in a home-baked bun. Other patrons swear by the Chilean hamburger, a good deal less expensive than what's served at other specialty burger joints and 10 times as tasty. For a traditional dish, go for the chacarero, a sandwich filled with fresh beef, chili, tomatoes and green beans. The average entree price is $4. The fast and friendly Chilean service makes the excursion to Astoria worth it.
San Antonio Bakery 2
3620 Astoria Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11103
(718) 777-8733
About The Author
Michael C. is a freelance writer and actor who lives in New York. He has provided research articles for Harvard University / Massachusetts General Hospital, online content for Fly Communications and copy editing for Actors' Equity Association.
