A Taste of Brazil Culture

By Annie Suh —

If there’s one culture that knows how to celebrate, it’s the Brazilians—and they’ve got the beats, the moves and their carnivorous appetite to prove it. Meat lovers, if you’ve never tried Brazilian BBQ (churrasco), you’ll be wondering where it’s been all your life. Various skewers of grilled meat, vinaigrette salsa, rice and farofa is a typical gut-satisfying meal your palates will always be up for.

Be a witness to their annual Carnaval festivities in Rio de Janeiro (largest city in Brazil) and you’ll know what I mean when I say they know how to party it up. Carnaval is not a one-, but annual four-day festival filled with street parades of samba dancers, people dressed in elaborate costumes, singing and the whole bit. It’s Brazil’s most famous celebration before lent.

If you want a version of it in LA, be on the lookout during Februarys for the largest Brazilian-style Carnaval on the West Coast. The 10th Annual Brazilian Carnaval this year took place at Club Nokia. “If you can’t get to Brazil, then this is the next best thing,” says organizer Patricia Leao, who has been producing the event for 10 years, as reported by the LA Times.

However, if you’d like to get a small taste of it now, you can still attend the 13th Annual Brazilian Street Carnaval at the Long Beach Promenade on September 19.

Attribute Brazil’s dancing and music influence from their African and Indian roots, and their love of meat and coffee of the darkest roast from their overabundance of cattle and coffee beans—two major exports. It’s one reason why Brazil is considered one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

According to the U.S. Census 2000, there are 212,636 Brazilian-born people living in the U.S. (not including the large number of undocumented immigrants). 11 percent reside in California (around 23,000), mostly split between Los Angeles and San Francisco. What does this mean? That they can’t live here without contributing to the diverse beat of LA. (See below for a good list of Brazilian restaurants and markets in the LA vicinity.)

But to really delve into Brazil, you’re better off traveling there directly, of course. Keep in mind that seasons are opposite from this hemisphere, which means summer is from December to March. According to JustBrazil.org, summer is the best time to travel to the southernmost states (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) while the coastal cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador are consistently warm all year round where you can expect hot and humid weather.

Trek to Rio de Janeiro for an exhilarating city experience where you’ll find the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. For beautiful waterfalls, Iguaçu Falls is a must-see. For amazing biodiversity and wildlife, the Amazon and Pantanal won’t leave you disappointed. For the richest and most populated city with happening fashion weeks, São Paulo is the place to be. And finally, for amazing architecture and shopping malls, Salvador, Bahia will hit the spot.

Since Carnaval celebrations occur in February, remember that air tickets are set at its peak during that time.

And when you go, don’t be alarmed if they take up too much of your personal space—it’s normal for them to stand close when conversing—or if they greet you with one or two kisses on your cheeks, starting with the left.

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BRAZIL RESTAURANTS IN LA:

Bella Vista Pizza Rodízio
At the Brazilian Mall
10826 Venice Blvd # 110
Culver City CA 90232
Phone (310) 558 2374

Bossa Nova
685 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone (310) 657-5070
Other locations: www.bossafood.com
(Hollywood and West LA)

Brazilian Exotic Foods
3300 Overland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone (310) 558-3338 / (310) 558-3307
Website: www.BrazilianExoticFoods.com

Café Brazil
10831 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone (310) 837-8957

Café Danssa
11533 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Phone (310)478-7866

Fogo de Chão (Brazilian Barbecue)
133 N. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Tel: (310) 289-7755
Website: www.fogodechao.com

Gauchos Village (Brazilian Barbecue)
411 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
(818)550-1430
Website: www.GauchosVillage.com

Ipanema Café
Brazilian Food & More
395 Santa Monica Place, # 150
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310)395-2625

Pampas Grill
333 West 3rd St. # 618 (at the Farmers Market)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone (323) 931-1928

Picanha Churrascaria (Brazilian Barbecue)
269 E. Palm Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502
Phone (818) 972-2100

Sampa Grill
16240 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 981-8818
Website: www.sampagrill.net

Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ (Restaurant and Catering)
20 Pier Avenue
Hermosaa Beach, CA 90254
Restaurant Phone: (310) 376-6806
Catering Direct: (310) 217-7504

Zabumba
10717 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone 310.841.6525

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BRAZILIAN SUPERMARKETS:

Bay Cities Market
1517 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310)395.8279

Gourmet Traders International
George Spitz
19000 Kinbrace Street
Northridge, CA 91326
(818)831.0633

Super Mercado Brasil
10826 Venice Blvd. # 105-B
Culver City, CA 90232
(310)837-4291

Source(s):

• Brazilian Consulate
• Lonely Planet
• JustBrazil.org