Mensateria, Rio de Janeiro

The modern, Miami-style suburb of Barra da Tijuca is not the place you would expect to find a traditional Portuguese restaurant, and indeed Mensateria is a modern and contemporary space that also functions as a bar. However, the food here has its roots in traditional Portuguese cuisine, given a few twists to bring it up to date for the fashionable residents of Barra da Tijuca. A couple of popular options are the bolinhos do bacalhau (cod and potato balls) that here come served with a traditional Portuguese olive sauce; and, for the adventurous, octopus stuffed with alentejo (tomato sauce, rice cooked in olive oil, garlic, parsley and sauteed potato. The cocktail list is good, and the wine list has some excellent, if pricey, imported Portuguese options. - Lucy Bryson

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