Manoel & Joaquim, Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian and portuguese food, it's always crowded with people standing outside because it's a nice place with good ambiance and excellent appetizers to eat with draught beer ( chope). It opens at 17:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and for lunch on Sundays at 14:00hs. Try to get early if you don't want to stay on the line.There are other Manoel e Juaquim restaurants in Rio, see the web site to see other adresses.
Last visit : August 2003

Favorite Dish: We had Bacalhau a Gomes de Sá ( Cod fish with potatoes) and fried banana with icecream (huge). People say carne seca is great. You can see the menu and the prices in the web site.

We ate one evening at the Copacabana branch of this small Rio restaurant chain. Websites say that it can get busy after eight or so, but we ate a little earlier and had no problem getting a table. I ate, and enjoyed, calamari, but my diary doesn’t record what Chris chose, and weirdly he can’t remember ;)

Starters are similar to Spanish tapas, e.g. Batata Frita (fried potatoes) and Bolinhos de Bacalhau (deep fried codfish balls). They also serve empadinhas, those ubiquitous (and tasty) South American pasties. To follow there are steaks and various fish options, such as my calamari, as well as international dishes such as beef stroganoff. Many of the dishes are intended to serve two people, but most can be served in single portions if you ask, though that will work out dearer. Depending on this, and how many tapas you order, a meal for two will come to between 40 and 70 Reais – about US$23-40.

Only open in the evenings, from 5.30 PM until the last diner leaves.

This tip is about the one in Lapa: because there's so much turnover, if you don't keep on ordering, the waiter may constantly come to your table to remind you that you have to spend the money, or there are others who need a table... other than that, great food and atmosphere of the old Rio.

Favorite Dish: Carne Seca, aipim e farofa (beef jerky, mandioc and mandioc flour dish).