La piccola Italia

Coyancura 2265

Providencia

Outside from the subway station "Los Leones" in Providencia's shopping area you will find this very well known restaurant. You will see many locals around that area because there are several stores where you can find almost everything and also offices. After 8 pm you will even see "street malls" at the corner of Ricardo Lyon and Av. 11 de Septiembre where you can find Luis Vuitton bags for 10 USD (of course not original), you can bargain, but for that you need to speak fluent Chilean dialect. It's interesting to see how this "street malls" run away as soon as they notice police is around, so if you are going to purchase a film, bag or other accessory try to be fast before you stay will standing all alone as the walking mall goes away. They get back though, right after police is gone, then police comes again, they fly away, police is gone, they get back again and so, over and over and over again... many times a day, everyday. Around this area, in a short street called Coyancura you will find this budget restaurant, where for 8 USD per person you can have a main course and beer or soda, tummy will be full soon and the pocket will have no pain. Is not a top restaurant, but is ok if you're hungry and waling around this area. Service is very fast, not 100% of the times, but yes a 90%, dishes come usually very warm, the area is relatively quiet and the only thing that might bother is that sometimes some people go by asking for money, or they sing or play some instrument and would like to have a tip, but they are not aggressive or something. Food is mainly Italian, but they have fish as well. We recommend it because is budget price, fast and the food is good. We have never eaten the fish there before, but yes lots of pastas :) Ask us how to get there!

Update (May 30th, 2010): we still love La Piccola Italia, food is good, comes quickly and the prices are very convenient.