The gastronomic itinerary includes Rio classics and novelties to discover in a weekend; watch
Biscoito Globo and ice mate on the beach have their value, but, let’s face it, being the first Brazilian city to host the Latin America’s 50 Best ceremony, which chooses the best restaurants in Latin America, has much more to offer. Two of these restaurants, in fact, are from Rio de Janeiro, Lasai, in 14th place in the ranking, followed by Oteque, in 20th place.
Well, just like in summer, the Rio-São Paulo airlift is packed with tourists who spend the weekend in the Wonderful City, the Palate put together an itinerary suitable for those who have 48 hours (or less) to discover Rio’s gastronomy.
The proposals – for breakfast, lunch, afternoon bar and dinner – include both classic and new addresses. The program is intense, and to make it happen, you have to be willing and hungry. But if you organize it correctly, you can also take a trip to the beach, carnival or include another cultural activity in your trip. Watch.
Day 1
breakfast – La Panetteria Lenta
In Rio’s artisan bakery, which is also a bar and emporium, you will find, in addition to the classics such as grilled bread (R$ 11), bread with egg (R$ 22) and croissants (R$ 17). , tidy, let’s say, with more substance to be able to postpone lunch time and extend the time on the beach. The Fofa croque (R$35), for example, combines artisanal semi-cured cheese, caramelized onion, bechamel and house-made mustard with Rio sourdough bread – if that’s not enough, it’s also topped with D’Alagoa cheese. If you’re the type of person who likes spicy treats early in the morning, opt for the kimcheese (R$32), which is piled on brioche and filled with house-made kimchi and “plenty of toasted semi-hard cheese on the plate.” grill”. To drink, choose filtered coffee (with a house blend; R$14) or cold beer (R$15). One more tip: if you are in the Botafogo unit, don’t try to sit at the bar counter , under the “beautiful sun” that shines there. You will melt (Rio 40 degrees, right, guys?!) and you will have to ask to change seats.
Where: R. Generale Polidoro, 25, Botafogo. 8am/8pm (closed Sunday and Monday). It has units in Jardim Botânico and Leblon.
lunch – Ocyá
To get the full experience, which includes a boat ride to the restaurant and lunch on the water, you’ll need to go to Barra da Tijuca, but if you’re far away and want to maximize your time (after all, you only have 48 hours in Rio), there is another unit in Leblon. Fish cured and used whole is chef Gerônimo Athuel’s specialty. On the menu you will find dishes such as cured white fish sashimi with ponzu, chilli oil and crispy flakes (R$ 59), smoked fish sausage prepared on the grill, served with homemade pepper jelly (R$ 42) and calamari grilled. stuffed with onion, tomato and fresh basil (R$74). For a main course, choose between the grilled boneless fish of the day with creamy lemon rice, cold farofa and chips (R$194 for two people) or the fisherman’s rice broth (R$97), with a mix of leaves, prawns, octopus, calamari, mussels, basil and prawn butter.
Where: Ilha Primeira, Barra da Tijuca (access via boats, which depart from spots such as Shopping Barra Point and Jardim Oceânico metro station). (21) 97286-1250. Fri 5.30pm/10pm; Sat. 12:00/22:00; Sun.12/18 (closed from Monday to Thursday)
afternoon bar – Bar Madrid
You’re already in Tijuca, right?! So take the opportunity to extend your trip and try Madrid, a bar that, in addition to bottled beers, serves snacks, dishes and drinks with a Spanish accent. Order a white sangria, enjoy the atmosphere of the bar and, when you’re hungry, opt for dishes such as the tongue croquette, the portion of papas bravas, the canned sardine fillets or the classic pintxo cocodrilo, which brings four skewers of filet mignon with Portuguese potatoes, garnished with gorgonzola cream.
Where: R. Almirante Gavião, 11, shop G, Tijuca. (21) 35948526. 11/18 (closed on Monday).
Are you in Leblon? Then head to Jobi (av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1.166, Loja B), a classic bar, with old-fashioned service and bow-tied waiters. A little chaotic, but efficient and great for enjoying the art of Rio’s barrio. The cod pie is excellent and, to drink, there is a good beer on tap.
dinner – Lasai
You need to plan ahead to get a seat at Rafael Costa e Silva’s table. The chef’s new restaurant serves only ten people a night and the waiting list can last up to a month. The restaurant offers only a tasting menu (R$ 950 per person) and most of the ingredients come from its own gardens or from small farmers in Rio. The range of dishes varies, but there are always eight starters, four courses and two desserts. Possibility to try combinations such as chayote with scallops and lemon caviar, fish with mushrooms and celeriac and grilled cassava in bottled butter with squid and clam emulsion.
Where: Largo dos Leões, 35, Humaitá. Reservations: www.lasai.com.br
alcoholic dinner – Elena
In a nineteenth-century building, overlooking the Botanical Gardens and Christ the Redeemer, it is a mix of restaurant, bar and space for listening to good music. Take advantage of the fact that on weekends the place is open late and stop in for a drink: the person who signs the letter is the award-winning barman Alex Mesquita. In the signature cocktail section, the Cajueiro combines cashew syrup, passion fruit, pineapple juice and white cachaça. The Berry Fizz contains gin, cranberry syrup and cardamom. lemon and lemongrass. The restaurant, in other words, is helmed by chef Itamar Araújo (formerly of Mee, at Copacabana Palace), who focuses on Asian-influenced cuisine.
Where: R. Pacheco Leão, 758, Jardim Botânico. 7pm/1am (Friday and Saturday until 2am; closed on Sunday)
Day 2
breakfast – Dainer
Much like an American diner, Botafogo’s cool new spot offers good options for all meals of the day, but, as he puts it, the breakfast, served throughout the operation, “is one of the best.” The pair of sourdough pancakes (R$32) arrive at the table enriched with slices of banana, maple, butter, orange zest and pecans. The cheese bread is wood-fired and can be enriched with Catupiry and house guava jelly (R$20 for a trio). French toast (R$26), grilled in butter, comes with vanilla, strawberry and orange cream. Do you want something more beefed up? Try the tamago sando (R$32), a sandwich filled with breaded egg cream, cheese and cucumber sauce.
Where: R. Real Grandeza, 193, Botafogo. 8/19 (Sat 9/20; Sun 9/17; closed Monday).
lunch – Totò
Thomas Troisgros’ new home, the first in which he has flown alone, offers the food he himself loves to eat. Thus the menu, original and seasonal, offers dishes with different accents, inspired by the chef’s travels. Among the starters, don’t miss the chicken hearts with oyster sauce, peppers, coriander and ginger (R$46) or the chicken wings spread with sweet and sour orange sauce (R$36). Then you decide whether to order other appetizers, to be placed in the center of the table and share, or whether to move on to the main courses, where the powerful rice ribs with tahini aioli and grilled romaine lettuce are served (R$ 82). the highlights and breaded pork ribs with root salad with hard-boiled egg mayonnaise (R$88).
Where: R. Joana Angélica, 155, Ipanema. (21) 3854-1819. 12h/0h.
afternoon bar – Galeto Sat
I won’t tell you to order another helping of chicken hearts (experts will understand), but if you feel like it, do it. It is one of the flagships of the bar and can also be ordered with coalho cheese in the garlic bread filling (R$ 37). The famous grilled chicken with Sat’s sauce (with orange, garlic and pepper), if ordered complete, is served with white rice, egg farofa, French fries and vinaigrette. Keep in mind: the bar is a stronghold of Rio’s bohemianism, stays open until the early hours of the morning and can easily be rearranged into your food itinerary.
Where: R. Barata Ribeiro, 7, Loja D, Copacabana. (21) 2275-6197. 12h/4h (from Thursday to Saturday 12h/5h).
dinner – Oteque
Don’t even think about going to chef Alberto Landgraf’s house without a reservation. With only six tables in the room, the risk of arriving, finding the restaurant crowded and being forced to turn around on an empty stomach. Once you have secured one of the coveted tables, get ready: you will enjoy one of the most sophisticated dinners in the city. The tasting menu, with eight courses, costs R$895 and the range of dishes varies. Opportunity to try the grouper with seaweed vinaigrette, pine nuts and caviar, the scallop with fish mayonnaise, mandarin and dried scallops and the lamb picanha with lacquered aubergines and cashews.
Where: R. Conde de Irajá, 581, Botafogo. (21) 3486-5758. 7.30pm/11.30pm (closed Sunday and Monday).
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
