Lifestyles: Home vs On the Road
[QUOTE=AxelHeyst;2899943]my lifestyle in the USA is very different from how I would live in dot dot dot fill in the blank (SP, RJ, BKK, or Pat). And when I am visiting SP or RJ or wherever, I behave very differently from the way expats like yourself behave mainly because time is of such an essence for me so every night when I travel is boate, terma, or repeat favorite boate girl night. [/QUOTE]I want to add that same as with the girls, I eat differently when I am on a trip compared to what I eat at home. For starters, in south Florida I go out to eat maybe 2 x a week with friends. I go to a steak house maybe 1 x every other month. I cut way back on portions and processed carbs. Most nights I bbq skinless chicken breasts or salmon steaks on my patio. I rarely eat pizza or fries (processed carbs). No deserts other than fruit. On the road it is another story. I always eat in restaurants, and I eat everything and anything I want including deserts (sugar). Same as I do with the girls, KKK. No holding back. If I were living full time in SP or RJ I am sure I would cut back on the intake of both and most certainly eat a whole lot healthier. The difference is like how I would run a 100 meters vs running a marathon.
A shout out to Barbacoa in Itaim Bibi, SP
[QUOTE=Xpartan;2899697] here is a short guide for our brothers who haven't yet tried the 8th Wonder of the World, which is an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse.
Just to be clear this is for newbies, not experts or residents.
2. The first thing you must remember is that a Churrascaria is a business. They want to keep everyone happy and yet spend as little money as possible. How? By serving you loads and loads of inferior meats.
3. Good things come to those who wait. If you really want to get some quality meats -- and you must because you're paying American / European prices -- you'll have to say Nao Obrigado muitos vezes. Otherwise, you'll quickly find yourself totally full, out of breath and completely fucked by your friendly and smiling meat carver. Look at Brazilian customers at the tables around you. They aren't rushing anywhere.
4. Here are the most important words to remember: Picanha, Alcatra, and Fraldinha, or prime top sirloin, top sirloin and bottom sirloin. I personally love Fraldinha better than the other two, but that's because I'm strange and different. Most prefer Picanha, but you can't go wrong with any of them.
6. I also like lamb cuts. All kind of them. When I hear carneiro, the happiness is there. Almost rhymes.
7. Ribs are called costelas. Costela for beef ribs and costela de carneiro for lamb.
10. I have a rule. If I don't get the meat I want after 5 waiter rounds or 15 minutes, I'll tell them to bring me some of the stuff I want. It always worked for me in Brazil.
11. What to do in the meantime? Their buffets are fabulous. Some people forgo buffets. They work on a concept of stuffing themselves with as much meat as humanly possible. I don't know. I just gorge on delicious food. [/QUOTE]This is a very instructive primer for would be 1st time Churrascaria customers. I can only add that one of the main traits that separate a great Churrascaria from an ok or average Churrascaria aside from the quality of the meats is the length of time between serving rounds. A great Churrascaria does not make its customers wait a long time for the best cuts. My favorite Churrascaria is Barbacoa in Itaim Bibi, SP. This restaurant has top quality meats and they have a fast rotation of their best cuts.
Warning: this is a very popular restaurant with the locals, and they are always busy and full of customers. As a result, I either go there early around 12:15 pm before the huge lunch crowd arrives, or around 6:30 pm before the full capacity dinner crowd arrives to avoid waiting for a table. But no matter when I go there, they are always very friendly and accommodating towards me. It is a great restaurant. And interestingly they have two other branches in SP that I know of, but those two branches are menu driven ie you pick the specific cut you want and a side or two and that's that. 2 thumbs up for both Barbacoa styles.
Revolut ATM card in Brazil
Have anyone use Revolut ATM card recently in Brazil? Does it work? If not, which ATM card are you using and what exchange rate do you get? How are you getting your cash in Rio?
I have always uses Revolut card because its market exchange rate and charge a 0. 5%fee. Unlike Bank of America which give a shitty exchange rate that is a few percent against me. This rate is better than any exchange house. However, 6 months ago, Revolut did not work at any Brazilian bank ATM. I went to the same bank that had work in the past, Itau, Bradesco, Santander. The only ATM that work was a 24 Horas ATM, but those none bank ATM are a total rip off. Luckily, I have a good Brazilian friend that let me borrow cash. This time, I don't want to bother people and I don't like the feeling of owing something to anyone.
Is there a US bank which give you market rate or good exchange rate that you recommend? I still have time to open bank account before I go. A google search online, Charles Schwab ATM card come out on top recommended because there is no fee. But that doesn't mean anything, I did a search on exchange rate and it is 4 to 7% against you.
Thank to anyone that can help with info.