CHURRASCO

Churrasco is a popular Brazilian style barbecue that offers a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and fish, which are slowly cooked on special grills to preserve all their natural juices and flavors. Churrascarias are restaurants that serve endless rounds of meats on an all-you-can-eat basis, with drinks and desserts served separately. The most sought after meat is the “picanha”, aka top sirloin, Brazil’s favorite cut due to its blend of softness and flavour. Ideal for those nights you want to treat yourself to lots of good food. Porcão, Rio’s most famous all-you-can-eat steakhouse chain, also offers sushi and fish, as well as scores of side dishes and salads. Everyone’s extremely pleased.

Where to Eat: Porcão

Rua Barao da Torre 218, Ipanema
Porcão Rios :: Aterro do Flamengo
Av. Armando Lombardi 591, Barra
For reservations call 3389-8989

FEIJOADA

Probably the most typical dish from Brazil: a black bean stew with hearty sausages and sun-dried beef, served with rice, collard greens, cassava (manioc) flour and orange slices. This may slow you down on the dance floor. Casa da Feijoada`s specialty. A “must” experience. Feijoada with caipirinha go together like Starsky & Hutch, sticks & clutch. Ask for one from the oak-barrel aged “Vendaval” brand cachaça.

Where to Eat: Casa da Feijoada

Rua Prudente de Morais 10, Ipanema
tel: 2247-2776 :: 11 am to 1am
www.cozinhatipica.com.br

SEA FOOD

You have gots to check out Santa Teresa during the day and at night. You just have to. And the highest recommendation we can think of for a decently priced superb meal is at Sobrenatural, that has the some of the freshest fish in Rio. Go on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, when they have live Samba and Chorinho music by renowned local artists. As for food: consider their beer battered shrimp for appetizer, followed by their fish or shrimp moqueca (from Bahia, a must) or coconut surubin fish with brazilnut rice and plantains. Afterwords, bar hop the neighbouring spots.

SKILLET SIRLOIN

A favorite and therefore a must: Picanha Brasileira. Don’t bother looking at the menu. A pound of sliced raw top sirloin for you to fry to your liking, over a blazing hot iron skillet. Feeling confident? Ask for a side of raw garlic (“ali-o crew”), to fry over the skillet.

WHERE TO EAT: GAROTA DE IPANEMA/COPA/URCA

Rua Vinicius de Moraes w/ Prudente, Ipanema tel: 2522-0340
Av Atlantica 3744, Copacabana tel: 2521 4705
Av. Jõao Luis Alves 56, Urca tel: 2541 5040