I just stumbled upon my gastronomic discovery of 2006 in Santiago: Emporio Nacional. It is a “Made in Chile” goodie store; a gourmet delicatessen sporting Chile’s finest temptations from jams like Cochayuyo (that seaweed I never know WHAT to do with) or spicy ají (chili) to local cheeses like sheep’s milk from the Patagonia or the creamy Jack-style Mantecoso from German descendants in the southern Lakes district. Chorizo and Longanizas (spicy sausages) from Chillán and whole Serrano-style hams made by a Spanish immigrant family hang from the ceiling and the whole place smells toasted with spices like the smoky Merkén from the south, earthy crushed cumin, and chuchoca (fine grain cornmeal). Being an olive oil junkie, I was bowled over by their collection of fantastic oils—from mainstream decent to the cult variety like Novello. The list is of their inventory is endless and well-selected, but the basic requisite to be in the store is to be, well, “Made in Chile”, but gourmet this time. Hallelujah.
Emporio Nacional definitely made me raise my eyebrows at some of their innovative flavor combinations and offerings, but it also caught my attention for its quality, and I have since made two trips this past week. The place itself gets an “A” for its digs—a corner old-time grocery store that has been painstakingly remodeled and decorated with much care and style to give it the polished feeling of another époque; an emporium where perhaps our (Chilean) grandparents may have shopped as children. Most importantly, in a country where the majority of taste buds fall on the bland side and mayo, sugar, and salt are still major food categories (think US cuisine in the era before Julia Child), this is a MAJOR addition to the gourmet food stuff places that truly promote the local gastronomic culture. As you can gather, I am very stoked about this.
For more information, check out www.emporionacional.cl They even have home delivery if you live in Santiago, although a detour to the actual store (at least the first time) is definitely worth the trip. And for you foodies visiting Santiago, do not miss this brilliant piece of native gastronomic culture. In Chile they say, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are” (obviously taken from the words of the ultimate gourmand Brillat-Savarin), but definitely, Emporio Nacional is a great peeping hole into this curious (food) idiosyncrasy known as Chile—and you will find some exquisite local gems to share with your friends at home.
Contact information:
Emporio Nacional
Bellavista 0360 (corner of Punta Arenas, behind the Clínica Santa María), Providencia
56 (2) 481 3820
info@emporionacional.cl
