Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Photography tours of Rio: clicking with the pros


photo: Marcelo Portella


by Antonella Kann


A bird´s-eye view over the most beautiful landscapes, mountains and beaches of Rio, all clicked by you?

You don´t need to hire a chopper or try to catch a glimpse from the plane´s window when you´re landing. The idea is to trek uphill and get closer to some of the well-known postcards, such as Pedra Bonita and Pedra da Gávea. This is where the hand gliding platform stands and from where you can grab some of the most amazing images of Rio´s famous sites in the horizon. Up from 696 metres high, you can see the Floresta da Tijuca, lots of beaches and the skyline of the west and south areas of town.

If you enjoy photography and the great outdoors, this is certainly your cuppa tea, so that´s how you can participate: call Imagens & Aventuras ( which happens to be a Photography School) to check the date – always on a sunny Saturday - and enroll in this 4hrs morning trek. The group meets in São Conrado, in the Shell gas station at 7:30 a.m. From there, the walk begins and, for the next two hours, you´ll be making interesting pit stops to enable everyone to pick and choose the best from every possible angle. And, last but not least: you don´t need to be an athlete to follow the steps in the midst of the Atlantic vegetation.

Corumbau, in Southern Bahia: luxury and unspoiled natural beauty










by Antonella Kann

Top of the List for Bahia´s secret beaches : Corumbau, far from the madding crowd.

In the tupi-guarani language, Corumbau means “ far from everything”. Blessed by a geographical position that isolates it from popular places, this paradise is situated between Caraivas and Cumuruxatiba. Its isolation is due to the fact that it´s almost inaccessible by land, and better reached by air or sea, weather permitting.

But for those in search of true peace and quiet, unspoilt beaches framed by cliffs and an unending coconut grove, it´s the place to look forward to. The stretch of sand is so long – almost 13 kilometres - that you can walk for hours without encountering another soul, at any time of the year, even during peak seasons like Carnival, X-Mas and New Year´s eve.

The natural isolation also means that the fishermen who live in the only tiny community have retained their old traditions and do not seem inclined to encourage any tourist trade. So there´s no pharmacy, no bakery nor any other shops in the village. If you are keen to spend some pocket money, lok for the native Tapajós Indians who are usually in the area selling their wooden artifacts or necklaces made with seeds from tropical plants.

Unbelievable as it may seem, Corumbau does not lack 5 stars establishments. Best of all the Fazenda São Francisco, one of the most charming places to stay. Furthermore, the place combines informality with impeccable service and luxurious accommodations. And coconut water galore…for free.






The all-inclusive system contemplates the guests with high standard gastronomy and eventual attractions like demonstration of capoeira ( a martial sport very popular in Brazil) in the premises. Also, apart from interminable walks on the beach and swimming in warm, calm waters, you can go for a day cruise aboard the pousada´s schooner to the coral reefs of Itacolomi and Pataxo.



Sub Astor bar in São Paulo: market-fresh mixology by Márcio Silva


Mixologist Márcio Silva walks almost every day to a nearby fruit stand to buy the fruits and herbs that he’ll use that evening at Sub Astor, São Paulo’s hottest speakeasy-style bar (i.e. no sign on the door, just like in the U.S. Prohibition Era). “Everything is made to order, we don’t prepare any of our fruit purées until the minute the client orders the drink”, he says. Silva mashes granny smith apples in a mortar with lemon and syrup, then shakes it up with gin and Cointreau and strains to make the “Apple White Lady ». A similarly fresh purée, made by pounding pears, grapes and basil leaves, is the basis for the « Gipsy Martini », which gets its kick from Poire and vodka, and is garnished with edible flowers and spiced with a dash of cinammon syrup. Nostalgics have a soft spot for the caju amigo, a classic made with cashew fruit – both fresh and in a compote – topped with ice, sugar and a large helping of vodka.

Sub Astor: Rua Delfina, 163, São Paulo, Brazil, tel. 55-11 3815-1364

More Sub Astor on this blog:
Photos of the small-plate goodies served at Sub Astor, São Paulo's first speakeasy bar

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Bahia´s secret beaches: high end resorts.








by Antonella Kann

Dreaming about the most beautiful stretches of sand in Brazil? Let’s then point a finger towards the northeast, especially Bahia’s coastline. Among cliffs, coconut trees and natural pools are nestled some of the most amazing beaches you could ever dream about. The all-purpose sea is ideal for whoever fancy surfing, snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing and work on a tan. Best of all, you can spoil yourself rotten as over the last decade, several luxurious resorts and pousadas have opened their doors to attend the increasing demand for five-stars establishments. Little wonder that these havens have been in demand all year round.




Monday, 8 February 2010

Bottagallo, in São Paulo: a great new casual Italian restaurant

Bottagallo, in São Paulo: a great new casual Italian restaurant



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If looking for a great Italian in the Itaim district of São Paulo, look no further: simply take a cab to Bottagallo, the new venture of the wildly successful team behind Pirajá, Astor and the Bráz pizzerias, with branches in Rio, too.


I won't bore you with details, but rather, will let the food porn do the talking:


- Mozzarella, tomato, olive, basil.



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Golden, crisp gnocchi topped with baby arugula.


Spaghetti with sweet pickled onions...

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- Penne with cod

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Raviolo stuffed with a soft yolk, all creamy goodness....

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Ribs roasted in a brick oven served over risotto.






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the dangerously light-tasting Punch Rosso, on the right

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Egg Guido style.
Soft inside, breaded on the outside, sitting on top of a cream of truffle sauce.


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My fave: crisp, golden gnocchi hidden under a bed of baby arugula.

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Photo: Marcelo Katsuki

Papardelle with rabbit ragu.
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Agnolotti dal plin, delicate hand-made little pasta pillows typical of the Piedmont region.

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Incredibly silky pannacotta
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BottaGallo: Rua Jesuíno Arruda, 520, Itaim, tel. (55-11) 3078-2858
Brazilian street art: the creative genius of Carlos Dias

Brazilian street art: the creative genius of Carlos Dias

Sad for those who missed it, but Brazil's most important museum, the MASP in São Paulo, had a great street art exhibition on, which ended early February. I went and instantly fell in love with the work of Carlos Dias, which reminded me of that other great street artist I've always loved: Basquiat. Check it out:

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210 Diner: haute burger craze arrives in São Paulo

210 Diner: haute burger craze arrives in São Paulo

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São Paulo is never far behind as far as trends are concerned. It has its speakeasies (Sub Astor is the best one), its tecnoemotional restaurant (D.O.M.), and now, right on the heels of NY, a pig-centric high-end burger joint.




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It's called 210 Diner and it's owned by chef Benny Novak, the same guy behind the excellent Tappo Trattoria.

On the menu:


- Burgers
- Baby Back Ribs
- House-smoked Bacon with maple syrup
- Eggs Benedict

- Grilled meats like Rib Eye, Porter House, NY Strip, Skirt Steak.
- Matze Ball Soup
- Philli Steak Sandwich
- Tuna Melt Sandwich
- Onion rings and chicken wings


Devil’s food cake
Red Velvet Cake
Cookies
Apple Pie
Cheesecake



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Diner 210: Rua Pará, 210, Higienópolis, tel. 3661-1219

And more of chef Benny Novak on this blog:
Tappo Trattoria, a great little Italian in the Jardins district