Restaurante Los Coigues "Jechef" — Restaurant in Puerto Natales

I went here because of the positive reviews, and I’m honestly shocked by the positive reviews because it was the worst meal we had during our entire 15-day trip through South America. It was also the most overpriced and inedible food we encountered. Maybe I have high standards coming from Toronto, but this was far below expectations.

We started with the seafood ceviche, which was a huge disappointment. The shrimp and octopus tasted like they were just boiled and thrown on top, with no flavor. Fresh seafood should have a clean, delicate taste, but this was completely bland. The mussels were mushy and grainy, with no chewiness, indicating they were not fresh at all. Fresh mussels should have a firm texture and a slight briny taste, but these clearly didn’t.

Next, we had the parrilla platter, and almost everything on it was inedible. The chicken was dry, and the prawns were not fresh—fresh prawns should have a firm, springy texture and a mild, sweet taste. These were rubbery and tasteless. The clams and mussels were also grainy and not fresh, which further confirmed they weren’t prepared properly. Fresh clams and mussels should have a smooth, tender texture. The sautéed vegetables were soaked in some weird brown sauce and barely edible.

Lastly, the hare with risotto was terrible. The hare was dry, and the risotto was ruined by a strange, overpowering, and unpleasant dried leaf. Risotto should be creamy, rich, and well-seasoned, but this was a mess.

To top it off, the chef came out at one point, and some diners from a tour group actually started clapping for him. It felt a bit odd, especially when the food was so disappointing. Also, I noticed that the chef mostly responds to negative reviews on Google—just a little side eye there.

We also told the server that the women’s washroom was clogged, and his response was to giggle, shrug, and say "oh well" before walking away. For those who don’t know, the state of a restaurant’s washroom can often reflect how they maintain the cleanliness of their kitchen, and based on that, I wasn’t too confident about what was happening behind the scenes.

Overall, this meal was a complete letdown. I don’t understand how this place gets positive reviews when it serves food that’s not only overpriced but also poorly cooked and clearly not fresh. I would not recommend...

Recession

Hidden Gem: Restaurante JeChef in Downtown Puerto Natales

If you're looking for a culinary experience that exceeds your expectations in Puerto Natales, Restaurante JeChef in downtown is the place to be. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle, this hidden gem offers gourmet cuisine that will leave your taste buds delighted.

Chef-owner Hugo is the magician behind the scenes, and he'll pleasantly surprise you with a ceviche that's not only beautifully presented but also bursting with flavor. The fresh, local seafood he uses is simply exceptional.

But the surprises don't end there. Their seafood pizza, cooked on a coal grill, is a unique and delicious creation you wouldn't expect from a place like this. The crust is perfectly crispy, and the toppings are a medley of ocean delights.

For those with a penchant for more traditional fare, the lamb chops at JeChef are out of this world. They're served on a chocolate espresso reduction that creates a divine blend of flavors.

The restaurant itself exudes a cozy Patagonian charm with its wooden interior and rustic décor. It's the perfect setting to savor these remarkable dishes.

In summary, if you're seeking an extraordinary dining experience in Puerto Natales, don't judge a book by its cover. Restaurante JeChef will astound you with its gourmet surprises and warm...

This is a non-descript little restaurant in Puerto Natales, but well worth a visit. They cook everything on order, so they warn patrons not to expect fast food. We had only a couple of items since this was supposed to be a light lunch, but they were both very tasty. The king crab empanadas were wonderful - crispy and savory. And the king crab paella was spectacular to see, and also very good. I am particular about paellas , and this one was among the best in terms of flavor. The king crab was visually nice, but if you are on a tight budget, I think you could skip that and still have a very nice meal. The atmosphere is quiet, with easy conversations. They had some soft blues music in the background that was quite pleasant. Overall, a place that it would be easy to come back to. A quick addition. The next day, we went to a highly recommended restaurant in town and ordered their crab empanadas, and everyone in our party agreed that they were nowhere near as good as the ones at Jechef. The outer dough at Jechef was flaky and buttery, and the contents were flavorful and full of crab.. At this other restaurant, the crust was nothing special, and the contents, totally ordinary. and, they clearly had mass produced them and not made...