Local Expert
Lucy Bryson
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and…
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and South America. I'm a trained journalist and editor and have managed to fund my trips through combining my twin passions of travelling and writing - recent writing credits include updating chapters for Fodor's Brazil, Footprint Brazil and Footprint South American Handbook. I live high on a hillside in Santa Teresa - Rio's 'arty' district, and my one complaint is that I never seem to get time to visit the beach! Despite my lack of tanning time, I love Rio, and and have no intentions of returning to my wet and windy home city any time soon!
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Espirito Santa
Ok, let's cut to the chase first - Espirito Santa isn't cheap. On a recent visit here, a two course meal with wine clocked up at an eye-watering R$150. Ouch. However, if you feel like splashing out for a special occasion, this Santa Teresa restaurant is well worth the high price tag. The service is excellent, the ambience relaxed and the team of chefs make good use of fresh ingredients. Head here on a warm evening and take a seat at one of the tables on the outdoor terrace, the views of Santa Teresa's mansion houses provide the perfect backdrop to a delicious meal. Served here is pan-Brazilian food with an emphasis on the Amazon - ingredients such as palm hearts and Amazonian 'power berry' acai feature strongly on the menu. Refreshingly, there are plenty of options for vegetarians too - such as pumpkin puree covered with mixed vegetables and topped with grilled cheese. We started with the mixed 'couvert' (hors douvres) - an interesing array of light bites that included sliced fresh palm heart, cubed queijo coalho (a semi-hard Brazilian cheese), acai chutney, mango pickle, and spinach pesto.
The fish and meat dishes here are reputedly very good, but my dining partner and I both chose vegetarian options - the afore-mentioned pureed pumpkin dish, and a hearty bowlful of shredded palm heart covered in a cheese sauce. Both were beautifully presented, and tasted as good as they looked.
The wine list is decent but not outstanding - we chose a bottle of very good Brazilian wine, which was perhaps a little overpriced at R$40.
Espirito Santa is located at Rua Almirante Alexandrino 264, Santa Teresa. Reservations aren't strictly required but are a good idea on weekend evenings. Don't head here on Tuesdays - you'll find the place closed.
To reserve online, visit the website at www.espiritosanta.com.br