Rodrigo Brites is a Carioca Foodie residing near Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. He is an engineer and an entrepreneur, but has one foot in the restaurant world as the owner of Dogaria NY, a New York style hotdog Tuktuk. Since 2014, he has shared his discoveries about food and restaurants in Rio and around the world. He loves discovering new restaurants and bars around the city and works on plenty of projects, from the curatorships of food festivals to personal experience consultant to foodie travellers.
Please introduce yourself to our members.
I’m a Carioca Foodie, residing in Rio de Janeiro, living at Lagoa, close to Copacabana Beach. I am a engineer and an entrepreneur, owner of Dogaria NY, a hotdog Tuktuk, NY style. Getting fit and diving deep into food.
Tell us about your current project.
Participating in some fairs with my hotdog Tuktuk, creating some uniforms for restaurants, discovering new restaurants and bars around the city. Working on plenty of projects, from the curatorships of food festivals to personal experience consultant to some visitors, while running two venues and being a professional for AI and industry 4.0.
Tell us about the restaurant scene in Rio de Janeiro.
Our restaurant scene is small but it is steadily growing. World-class and distinct venues which tell the story of our city and country. We can find some traditional Boteco bars and fine dining restaurants in the same area.
What are your three favorite restaurants in Rio de Janeiro and why?
- Oteque is a must-visit restaurant when dining in Rio de Janeiro. Alberto Landgraf and his Asian technique work, usually use three ingredients at each step and delivers the best.
- Mitsuba is an authentic Japanese restaurant, one of my favorite kinds of food. It is a hidden gem in Flamengo, very traditional. I’ve never been to Japan, but this is one of the places I feel closer. Whenever the Japanese ambassador comes to town, he only eats at Mitsuba.
- Lilia is a destination restaurant of the highest order. Chef Lúcio Left has established himself as a culinary powerhouse in Rio de Janeiro. His contemporary menu uses fresh and toasted leaves and vegetables, as well as serving the selections of small producer ingredients in a beautiful presentation full of flavours.
- Padella, established by chef Nello Garaventa in commitment to his italian recipes, his integrity with produce and his ability to bring flavor and tradition to his dishes.
- Clan BBQ serves the best meat in town. Churrasco is a hit in Rio, but it is hard to find a place with top quality. At Clan BBQ, they deliver it perfectly. At Clan BBQ, they deliver perfect grilled meat, I usually ask for the Denver Reposado, beautifully red in the middle with a nice char around the edges. The place is run by Newton Rique and Pepo Figueiredo. Janine will also help you find the perfect wine pairing. Another tip is that they have the best grilled burger and french fries.
What’s a new restaurant or hidden gem in Rio de Janeiro that you think is doing great things?
Apê da Lapa. Actually it is not an established restaurant, it is a place with only one table and you can book it for a group. It is close to Lapa, in the heart of Rio Bohemian area. You can bring your own bottle of wine, sit at the table and relax. Apê da Lapa (stands for an apartment in Lapa), is a project of a couple: Fred (French) and Oti (a Brazilian chef). The menu is a mix of French and Brazilian influences, it changes constantly to give you a unique experience with lots of surprises.
"Apê da Lapa. Actually it is not an established restaurant, it is a place with only one table and you can book it for a group. You can bring your own bottle of wine, sit at the table and relax."
What’s your favorite kind of restaurant and why?
My favourite kind of restaurant must have a cozy environment, simplicity, great service and flavor in the dishes.
What are your three favorite food cities and your favorite restaurants in those cities?
- Bangkok. Gaggan has one of the best chefs and experiences. As long as street food is a must when you are a foodie.
- New York. The Big Apple is the best place to feel you at the core of world effevercence. Le Bernardin was one of my favorite places to eat seafood. I ate their famous Tuna Carpaccio with toast and foie gras, it was impeccable.
- Santiago. Chile has the best wines of Latin America, and one of them is named Almaviva. In Santiago I found some original and inventive restaurants as Pulperia Santa Elvira, La Calma and Olam, but one of my best experiences there actually was at Yum Cha, chef Nicolas Tapia uses influences from China and Chilean ingredients, he serves a menu with 10 courses full of taste, the pairing is made with tea and wine, this culinary journey was awesome.
What is your favorite dish and where is your favorite restaurant to have it?
I am a Carbonara lover and in Rio I usually go to Alloro, the best in town is made there by the Italian chef Michele Petenzi.
Who is an up-and-coming chef you are keeping an eye on?
Chef João Paulo Frankenfeld, he owns Casa 201, where he produces everything in the restaurant, starting from the phyllo dough, the amazing sauces, finishing with the French cheese made by himself.
Who is a food expert whose restaurant recommendations you’d like to see?
Fred Sabbag, he lives in São Paulo, another amazing place to eat in Brasil, I admire the way he writes and the kind of elegant restaurant he chooses, he definitely is a person who will give the best recommendations.
