Curitiba evenings

Where to go in the evenings: you shouldn't make this decision too easy - comfort has its consequences. Yesterday, I wanted to try out the restaurant (Brazilian cuisine) that I had spotted next door. Just closed, but before that, it was also empty - a bad sign.

Well then, I'll just go around the block, I thought - during the day it didn't look so bad. Unfortunately, at night it did - part of the population seems to sleep on the sidewalks towards the market hall/bus station. Okay, then 3 blocks further - the first thing that looked decent turned out to be a delivery service for Asian cuisine. The supposed beer turned out to be overly sweet guava juice, and the food was supposed to be sweet and sour, but it was so sour that I got heartburn. The constantly incoming scooter and bicycle couriers with huge thermal boxes gave me a thumbs up when they saw me eating - I also gave them a thumbs up.

Today, I wanted to do it smarter, because I was hungry and tired and an important culinary puzzle piece was missing for Brazil: Churrascaria. Thanks to an electronic map with ratings of the restaurants, opening hours, and distance, I set my goal and eventually found it. Oh, luxury cars in the parking lot, designer style - why not - what's the harm in a little extravagance...

Ha - a culinary strike - the finest grilled meats with all the trimmings and good friendly service - price-wise absolutely reasonable!

But the process - very unusual. Assigned seating - ok. Menu - nowhere to be found. It turns out it's one of those famous all-you-can-eat places that are so popular in Brazil - exactly! As soon as the drink was served - this time a non-Brazilian beer (yesterday's had a vanilla flavor - yuck). A plate on the table and then: every minute, a different waiter with a headscarf and apron, some with meter-long skewers, would come. One even brought a small cart and briefly sharpened the knife to skillfully carve thin slices. Fantastic taste - all medium-rare - perfect. Then another guy came with a huge hollowed-out cheese - no, probably a bread - and brought very delicious varieties of risotto - but so rich, even though I only allowed myself one spoonful. Then a guy came with a map of a cow with numbers on it and explained - ah, the Picanha - supposedly the tastiest part of the cow (sirloin) - true - but wait, that's too fast. I slowed down the pace with defensive gestures and said no no and obrigado - the waiters grinned. Then the manager came - in a checkered shirt. He even spoke English - everything was excellent and yes, I'm very satisfied.

How do I end the dance of waiters around me - like in Cologne in the Kölsch pub - where the beer coaster on the glass, here it's the cutlery placed correctly and the next waiter clears the plate. The spell was broken and I was completely full but satisfied. I didn't make it to the nearby salad buffet - then dessert - wonderfully semi-frozen mango mousse, espresso. Another liqueur - no, better the bill and whoosh, I was outside again. The waiters were disappointed by the strange Gringo - I was satisfied. Another walk through the night and back to the hotel. A successful day.