Where to even begin with Dix Vins...it is such a gem for so many reasons. Pre-pandemic, every day…read morewas something fun--oysters and bubbly, cheese tastings, live music. Nowadays, we're not so lucky, but the service, wines, and cheese are still amazing (fingers crossed all those regular things return soon!).
The great somms here have worked all over the world, from France to Napa Valley. They speak every language and they are actually nice people, not snobby at all. (They might jokingly roll their eyes at you if you go from a big bold cab to a pinot noir, though!)
Admittedly, I have only come for cheese, charcuterie plates, or dinner--never lunch, but I've heard good things. The cheese plates are terrific and always different (it's like the TJ Maxx of cheese boards!). The apps are also nice. There's not a huge selection for dinner plates (duck, beef, or chicken are pretty much it), but the chef is consistent.
If you've lived in Chile longer than a year and still love Chilean wine but want to mix it up now and then with nice French wines, THIS is the spot for you. After spending a wonderful weekend trip in Medoc running the famed marathon, I'm now a huge fan (who isn't?) and occasionally want to enjoy those European flavors. In addition to the incredible French-wine selection, LDV also carries some of the best Chilean wines, including those from Vik vineyard.
But the real reason I keep coming back is that delicious French cheese! Do you know there are cheese smugglers in Canada? Yeah, people risking their lives and freedom to smuggle in every kind of expensive French cheese imaginable. Well, good news cheese lovers of Chile, you need not risk jail time here. Truthfully, there is not a bad cheese behind the counter, and more often than not, they are on sale. What's not to love? You just walk in, straight back to the counter and ask for your favorite cheese in whatever size you like. They'll wrap it carefully and with a smile. Oh, and did I mention they deliver? Same day!
Before 2020, the hubs and I came to LDV one afternoon just as the sun was setting in front of our indoor window seat. It was so incredibly hot, it was like a greenhouse. My first thought was, They are cooking all this wine! Well, fast forward to 2021, and there are now wine crates in those windows and only outdoor seating (I can also confirm they are dog friendly!). I still am not brave enough to sample the wines closest to the window, but I'll admit, I've never had a bad wine here.
One thing I will note: On more than one occasion, my foreign credit card has not worked immediately (works fine with the online shop). Not sure if it's a wifi or machine issue or what, but I've come to expect hiccups when paying my bill. A minor inconvenience for great service and a happy belly.