Saturday, Here In The Jardim
Rio has many many wonderful charming old buildings that really show some classic architectural lines. Sadly, she is also cursed with a lot of modern crap.
Like this thing
Yes, that’s the cathedral. Blech.
For most folks the sight of that place would be a stomach-turning event. For me it reminded me that my stomach wanted food. Oh sure, we went to Corcorvado and the monastery of São Bento (which is simply STUNNING, by the way: founded in 1590, the current building was finished in 1671 I think. The woodwork is divine. When we got there there was a service in progress: 10 monks chanting. It was very very lovely. But no photos allowed.)
But it was lunch time, and we had heard about a lovely area of Rio called Santa Teresa. There, tucked in against the hillside, is the wonderful Restaurante Aprazivel.
Daughter and I were in heaven when they brought the appetizers of little grilled sausages inside pão de queijo
My Bride appreciated the reasonable size of the beer bottles
then we had some grilled heart of palm
with some pesto drizzled on, natch
Daughter had some fish with okra, rice and beans
My Bride had some lovely picanha with beans and farofa
Me? I had some goat and mushrooms.
As I said, the place is tucked into a hillside and plays perfectly into the tropical vibe
There are several different eating levels offering different views of the city down below.
The kitchen is fairly open and centrally located so the smells waft hither and yon most enticingly.
Speaking of enticing, when one is one vacation one must have dessert: Daughter had mangos
My Bride had sauteed bananas and ice cream
I had guava gelato
Ah, the stress I encumber myself with for You, Dear Readers!
After lunch we decided we needed a nice walk, and there is no place nicer than the Jardim Botânico for that.
But first, to help you navigate the park, please allow me to translate some of the signs there for you.
First:
This is an especially important message for small children, for it says “Don’t piss off Granma”, and if you want that ice cream at the end of a hot day walking around you’d better follow that advice.
Now I know Rio is a big city and one hears a lot about crime there. And it’s true, the crime can be bad. Here in the Jardim they have developed a special Elite Anti-Crime unit:
“Warning: These Turtles Are Murderers”
Now that you’ve gotten a feel for the Portuguese language you can fully appreciate the lovely 3 foot wide lily pads
oddly-shaped trees
ginormous stands of bamboo
that are scattered about, as well as all the lovely tropical bromeliads and orchids
and really really tall Royal Palms
But plants get boring, so we went back to the hotel, took a nap, and stayed out until 2 at the Rio Scenarium, listening to Bossa Nova and Samba
fun stuff all around!
Life, Swill Food and Grog | Mr. Bingley | 
January 28, 2013 3:26 pm
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I saw that building and the first thought I had was “DALEK!!!”
Also, it’s a good thing I can read Portuguese, though you had me rolling 😀
Lovely photos! Except for the cathedral, of course. But every beauty has a pimple somewhere.
But regarding your lunch…..I thought the mention of goat was forbidden on this blog? ;-p
FanTABULOUS travelogue, little brother!
And I sure as HELL can’t let Mort see that sign…
…alTHO, come to think of it and the CHUNK the little BASTARD took out of my nose, he NEEDS one.
It is only forbidden if it is preceded by old.
Goat? You are definitely a culinary swashbuckler.
Errol Bingley!? 🙂
Yea! Mort is back. Last time I heard the little guy was MIA. Good for the little,er,nipper. Brightens my day.
That sounds like a fabulous trip!
What are you talking about, Jim. You want culinary swashbucking, you have to go to Asia. Or Flushing. I can get you fabulous goat-on-a-stick in Flushing, but once again, that isn’t culinary swashbucking. This is culinary swashbuckling.