CULTIVAR: DON’T LEAVE RIO WITHOUT TRYING THIS PAO DE QUIEJO
The Cost - $3.50
The Atmosphere – Cultivar is located on a cobblestone street in a building that looks like it could be condemned - but that’s part of its charm. The place is generally filled with locals and hipsters and is beloved by the Santa Teresa community.
Rio de Janeiro is known for its beautiful people, packed beaches, and of course, iconic Carnival celebration. However, just as important to Rio’s DNA is the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, home to many of the city’s most well-known artists and intellectuals as well as some of the best restaurants and bars in town. I wanted to eat like a local so I went to Cultivar, a tiny, no-frills food joint serving Brazilian açaí and pao de queijo.
The Order - Pao de Queijo and an Açaí
The Fantastic – Pao de queijo is a Brazilian staple. Translating to “cheese bread,” it is a gluten-free bread made with tapioca flour, eggs, and cheese. Cultivar’s pao de queijo were perfectly warm, fluffy and airy and were slightly cheesier than the average pao de queijo. The order, which cost just over $1.50, came in a paper bag with ten small pieces inside making it an incredible value and a very budget friendly snack.
The Great – Unlike the typical açaí bowl in the U.S., the one at Cultivar did not have any fancy fruit, honey, or granola in it. This no-frills, more traditional version served in a transparent plastic cup was just a mixture of açaí berries, ice and a little guarana syrup. Despite the simplicity of the recipe, it was delicious; it had the texture of a slushy and, because of the fattiness of the fruit, had an almost chocolate-y taste. So much different (and better) than açaí made in other countries.
The Verdict - There is no shortage of high end, Michelin awarded food in Rio de Janeiro but Cultivar offers an equally memorable dining experience that is accessible to almost everyone. When you are in Rio, spend a day wandering through the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa with an order of pao de queijo and an açaí.
Cultivar
Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 124 - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20240-290, Brazil