Bistro Lorenzo

Another discovery in Jardim Botanico.
Bistro Lorenzo is a nice change from the crowded fashionable restaurants in Leblon. This little restaurant, actually not so little, three floors, being that on the third floor there is a terrace with a lovely view towards the Christ statue is charming.
The owner used to be a partner at Garcia & Rodrigues, a high-class restaurant and delicatessen in Leblon.
The food is excellent though a little pricey. My husband loved the mojito, a rum based drink with mint.

Rua Visconde de Carandaí 2 (corner with Lopes Quintas)
Jardim Botânico
2294-7830

Bar do Horto - old Bar da Graça

This is a very charming bar, restaurant. It is totally decorated in wrapping paper, with lots of knick-knacks and ornaments made out of ordinary plastic kitchen gadgets. But most of all, it is the food that recommends the place. You HAVE to try the ~bobó de camarão~, shrimp in yucca cream, that is out of this world.
We also love to go there after a hike in the Floresta da Tijuca or in Jardim Botânico, just to sit outside and enjoy a nice cold beer. (look at the trails in this blog)
The pictures here are thanks to my friend Monica (www.dbstudio.blogspot.com) who goes on adventures with me and especially enjoys have gotten back safely.
http://www.dohorto.com.br/
Rua Pacheco Leão 780
Jardim Botânico
21 3114-8439 21 7817-7352

Trail of the Jatobás

People I met on the trail told me Trail of the Jatobás is the name. Jatobá is the name of the tree in one of the pictures. In any case, this trail is worth taking on a hot summer day, when the beach is much too crowded, because at its end there is a great waterfall. Not to be compared to Iguassú, but still, a great relief after the approximately 500 mts of up and down.
To get there you go to the end of Rua Pacheco Leão, which actually starts on Jardim Botânico, though you have to go up Lopes Quintas to reach it because it is one-way. Anyway, take Pacheco Leão all the way and you will get to Floresta da Tijuca, the biggest urban forest in the world or so they say. After passing a crowded waterfall, you don~t want to go there, follow the road until you see just a few cars, parked on the right, and the beginning of a trail
There you are, enjoy.
Afterwards, you can either continue to Vista Chinesa, or go back down and stop for a good lunch, or just choppe, at the Bar da Graça.

Garcia & Rodrigues

Feeling a bit homesick, maybe? Miss a bagel? some fancy cheeses? Pates?
Visit Garcia & Rodrigues and all your troubles are over.
You will be treated with utmost courtesy and you can delight in any number of delicacies from pastries, to pates, to steak tartare, to breads.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately the place is now closed - July 2012

ZOUK in Rio

The music ZOUK has been around for a while. It is a style of rhythmic musicoriginating from the islands ofGuadalupe, Martinique, Haiti, St. Lucia and Dominica. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local creole of French. (this bit comes from Wikipedia where you can read all about it).

But what is amazing is when it is danced Brazilian style, called ZOUK-LAMBADA.
It is the most sensual thing you will have ever seen.
Go to club W in Ipanema, Rua Paul Redfern 37 on a Wednesday night, after 10pm, and be blown away.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toca do Vinicius

The best place for purchasing Brazilian music is Toca do Vinicius on the street of the same name, rua Vinicius de Moraes. The street runs from Ipanema Beach to the lagoon in the middle of the southern part of town (zona sul).
Vinicius de Moraes was a composer and is best known for "Garota de Ipanema" (the Girl from Ipanema). In addition to being composer, he was also singer, diplomat, poet and playwright. You can find a lot more about him elsewhere.
But visit the Toca do Vinicius. The owner is very helpful. He also often produces mini-concerts in front of the store, people bring chairs and sit or stand on the sidewalk. As you can see in the picture, in 2009 we all celebrated the 100 years of Carmen Miranda.

Teatro João Caetano

The oldest theatre of Rio was inaugurated on the 12th of October, 1813, by D. João VI, prince-regent, son of the queen of Portugal, D. Maria I.
The front is covered in beautiful white marble.

Some very well known actors and actresses have played on the stage, including Eleonora Duse e Sarah Bernhard.
Even today, the productions are of the highest quality. Well worth a visit.

Praça Tiradentes ,s/nº
Centro
2332-9257