Big Pig…

While we were in Niterói, we took the opportunity to eat at what we consider the best Churrascaria on the planet, Porcão. Roughly translated, this means “big pig”. I can assure you that based solely on the quantity of food one tends to eat there, the place is well named. Churrascarias are common in Brazil and have now popped up all over the world. The idea is that waiters circulate with spits full of all kinds of meat and slice it right onto your plate.

Many have a simple system for indicating if you want more or not: essentially a coaster that’s green on one side (“Pile more on!”) and red on the other (“For the love of god, stop serving me meat before my arteries burst!”)

Somewhat ironically, these places tend to have outstanding salad bars.There are a few of this fairly upscale chain in Rio and now in a some other select cities like Miami. They set the standard for Rio style churrascarias (the kind where waiters wear men’s pants {a low-octane jab at the gaúcho style common further South}).Some dishes are prepared at the table. See below one of the waiters frying up some tasty ostrich. It tasted to me like something between chicken and beef.And now for a very rare culinary tip: Did you know that a chunk of Parmesan cheese dipped in honey is absolutely delicious? They somehow perfectly balance each other. This is one of those  insane tips you should actually try (I recommend ostrich with much less vigor).