As Carnaval nears... my mind turns to fanstasy.
I envision all that it is!
Carnaval means crazy crowds, the sexy samba, the colorful costumes, the beat of the bateria(drum corps), the all day dancing, the all night party.... my beautiful Brazilians!
I envision the side of my heritage I do not know.
Born to an anglo American and mixed race Brazilian I carry the genes of both, but wear the look of the father I've never met. The long gangly arms, the dark brown skin, the naturally curly hair... and if I do say so myself... the gift of dance.
Raised by my mother, and having never met my father, I'm left to live the Brazil of my dreams.
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| Mom on cover of Peace Corps magazine w/Brazilian child |
I've sought answers to my questions in the Brazil of L.A. While there is little influence in the City of Angeles you can find the flavor in the foods of representative restaurants. Here are a few for you to taste and try... AND lastlly, you'll find info on this Saturday's local Carnaval parties!
LUNCH!!!
Fan of the food truck? Keep your eye out for Ta Bom(It's Good, in Portuguese).
Find Ta Bom on Twitter, or look for the green food truck.
There's a salad named The Giselle and I guessed it might be named after the Brazilian supermodel of like name. I turn to Ta Bom for a quick Coxhina fix. Coxhina is a popular street food. A fried chicken croquette. YUM! Nothin' like it!
Want a sit down bite to eat that won't break the wallet? Check out Cafe Brasil. While I'm a fan of their chiicken and Talapia it is hard to tell it is a foreign dish, despite the Brazilian spices. If you want a true taste of home order the Feijoada, a Brazilian national dish(a stew of sorts, black beans and meat or sausage). Mom made it when I was a kid. Wash it down with Brazilian soda, Guarana. For dessert: Brigadeiro.... a delicious brazilian bonbon that is made with only three ingredients and tastes like an amazing, melt-in-your-mouth truffle. http://www.cafe-brasil.com/
DINNER!!
Brazil, Beverly Hills style... and budget? Fogo de Chao is a must! As is a reservation on a Saturday night. Here you'll find the most fabulous salad bar and Brazilian churrascaria steakhouse. It is the gaucho way of grilling meat. Waiters walk around with gigantic skewers of steak, pork, chicken. 15 different styles of ever so inviting skewers. You mouth waters as each waiter walks by. You're sure to leave extremly full and you wallet a little lighter. Still, if you've never been to a brazilian churrascaria
http://www.fogodechao/
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| http://bostonglobe.longjaunt.com/blog/2008/02/28/eating-like-kings-at-a-churrascaria |
Wikipedia: Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça sugar and lime. Cachaça is Brazil's most common distilled alcoholic beverage.
DANCING!!!
Carnaval comes to Los Angeles-Saturday March 5th
www.riobela.com
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http://www.braziliannites.com/
Hope you enjoy the sounds and sights of L.A. Brazil!
Bejos,
Christine
Wow...this looks uh, Amazonian...a real ;) tall order :O
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteI have relatives I haven't met in Southern Brazil. My dad had an uncle in Fukushima Japan during the depression who was struggling to make ends meet in Japan. My great uncle's family left for Brazil to work on some plantations. I've heard from one of my distant relatives in Brazil; I hope to one day meet my relatives in Brazil. I hope you get to meet your relatives as well.