This is a mixed residential neighbourhood to the west of the city centre. It was once fairly affluent but the middle-classes moved out some decades ago. This was compounded when the Via Norte-Sur highway was constructed separating the area from the city centre. The western end of the area is still quite depressed and not an area to explore at night by yourself but the eastern end and the heart of the barrio has come back fighting.
The attractive Plaza Brazil is the centre of the area. This has some nice trees, benches, basketball hoops and soon on. There is a variety of cafes around the plaza and just west on Campania the Templo de la Preciosa Sangre is a big basilica with palms in front. If you walk south from the plaza towards Alameda take Cienfuegos or Jose Medina streets you will see some interesting and unusual buildings. There are examples of Art Nouveau, neo-colonial, mock-medieval and fin de siecle styles and some highly eccentric gargoyles and other decoration. My wife and I really enjoyed wandering around here.
In this area you will also notice several colleges and universities and these have helped to bring money and youthful vigour to the area. This has led to many lively restaurants being established here including several seafood restaurants on General Bulnes, two blocks west of the plaza. I have not been to any of these but a local contact suggested Caleta Bulnes (Tel: 698815) at No. 86 and Ostre Azocar at No. 37 as two good alternatives. There are also several Chinese and Mexican places near the square or just to the west. In this same area Los Buenos Muchachos at Cumming 1031 has been serving up steaks and other grilled meat since 1939. It has a folklore show in the evening and caters to tour groups.
Some accommodation is available in this area. It tends to be budget-style and caters to students going to the local colleges. Frankly, I think there are better areas to stay and I would certainly avoid the Western area towards Quinta Normal at this time.