With friendly, helpful staff, a great sound system and a comfortable, warm atmosphere, your only worry will be what to do when the place closes.
The grub: A range of super-tasty food, spread across a variety of menus, including the pre-theatre, (for which you must book) and a delicious set menu. We select from the main menu. For starters, we plump for the choriçho na caçha (flamegrilled sausage in cachaca served with caramelised onions) and as one of group is hit with food envy, immediately order a second serving. Also brought to the table are the lambari frito (a succulent dish of crispy whitebait in breadcrumbs) and the torresmo com limâo (golden crispy pork scratchings) which are hungrily set upon until gone.
With starters of such fine quality, there is huge anticipation for the mains. Guanabara does not disappoint. One of our party has just returned from three years living in Brazil and explains that the feijoda (pork and black bean stew with rice and spring beans) is the country’s national dish and the version in front of us is as good as anything he tasted while in South America. ‘Ooohs’ and ‘aahs’ are being emitted from the other side of the table as another guest digs into the moquca de camarâo (creamy prawn stew with rice and farofa). And my rib eye steak is equally impressive, cooked to absolute tender perfection. It’s quality all round.
Behind the bar: Good range of beer and wine, but go for the cocktails. Try the caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink. That’ll send you on your way.
Bill please: Starters from £3; mains from £10.50; wine from £3 a glass; beer from £4; cocktails from £6.50.
Verdict: A brilliant evening of food, alcohol and great times. If everything in Brazil is this excellent, I want to go and live there.
