You haven't visited Rio de Janeiro until you have tasted its native dish, Feijoada, a traditional dish made with black beans and pork. Originally, it was a culinary treasure produced by slaves from the state of Bahai. Enterprising cooks would make this savory stew from parts of a pig that their owners tossed aside.
Today, Feijoada is enjoyed by rich and poor alike. While you can order Feijoada at places such as Casa de Feijoada (house of Feijoada) all week long, the Caesar Park Hotel has a weekly Feijoada celebration. Absolutely make reservations for this weekend treat because you will not only be able to taste this delicious dish, but do so in style. It’s the place to be on Saturday for the native cariocas, as Rio residents are called.
You’ll enjoy a definite party atmosphere at the Caesar Park as you are greeted and served by people in native costume, enjoy festive live entertainment, dine in a setting that makes you feel as if you are at a private function—and, best of all, enjoy not only Feijoada, but a whole buffet of Feijoada so you can select just the type you’ll enjoy the best.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, you might want to try a caipirinah de cachaca, a native drink made from cachaca — crushed sugar cane—that is similar to rum. Warning, a little goes a long way. For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, Rio offers a refreshing variety of fruit juices.
Another warning, don’t eat so much Feijoada that you don’t have room for dessert. The dessert buffet here is as large as it is delicious. And, for those who have more will power than I do, there’s an ample selection of fresh fruit.