Dining in Águas da Prata

Rancho do Dilino

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:27:00 +0000

We discovered a new restaurant in São João da Boa Vista in September, 2009. We liked it so much we have had lunch there four or five times since then.

We had taken a lot of photos while there on our first visit but unfortunately we lost all of them due to a computer problem. So we went back on Oct 23 and took a fresh batch of photos. That was a good excuse to have another great lunch.

Here is the Rancho do Dilino. It is open air, clean, very spacious and seats over 234 Dilino's has been open for about half a year and has developed a good sized clientele. You can either pay a flat rate and eat all you want or pay per kg.

The restaurant is located at 473 Av. Dona Gertudes in São João da Boa Vista.

There is a wide selection of foods and the menu varies daily. We have never been disappointed. It begins with a good sized salad bar.

This is followed by a wide variety of foods including Rice, Noodles and Pasta.

They are complimented with Beans, Chicken. Bean Cassarole and Chicken Cassarole.

For those who prefer, there are Vegetable Cassaroles and Beef Cassarole.

This particular day they had a large meatloaf.

There was a selection of French Fries, Fish, Pumpkin and Mashed Potatoes.

We filled our plates with our individual choices and sat down to enjoy a terrific meal.

After I ate I had a HUGE cup of Cafe Pacaembu. Notice how big the coffee cup is beside a Coca Cola can.

Seated at the next table was our friend Eliane and her family and friends. Eliane is a frequent customer of Dilinos.

Her family and friends, from right to left, Caique, Cris, Eliane, Delores, Carmrn and Neusa, all enjoyed the lunch as did we.

Following is a collection of photos of patrons and staff there for the lunch.

Here is Marcel preparing coffee at the Coffee Bar.

They have a good selection of beer to go with the meal.

Even as we were preparing to leave there were people waiting to be seated.

There was a selection of sweets to accompany the meal.

Marcel and Izaias bid us goodbye.

We will be back for lunch many times. It is a very pleasant atmosphere and the food is both delicious and economical.

Photos by Urso Branco

Café Expresso

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:36:00 +0000

The Café Espresso is a new version of an old Café in Águas da Prata. It is conveniently located on the main highway from São João da Boa Vista, across the road from the Águas da Prata water factory. It was originally located one block closer to Soã João da Boa Vista.

This new building is more than twice the size of the original. It is nice and clean open for business.

It just opened for business last month.

The owner proudly stands behind the counter ready to take your order.

There are several tables indoors now.

A young customer comes in looking for some refreshment.

Our family waits outside on the patio.

Inside, there is a special room with two tables.

They are tastefully and modestly decorated.

They have a new freezer and a new refrigerator for soft drinks.

Here is what they serve best, "Pão de Quejo"!

It is nice to see the new building finally completed and open for business.

Photos by Urso Branco

Restaurante Monte Verde

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:45:00 +0000

When I first came to Brasil my wife and I went to a delightful mountain village called Monte Verde, close to São Paulo. Therefore we were happy to see this restaurant called "Monte Verde" in Poços de Caldas,

When we talked to the owner she said she named the restaurant Monte Verde because of the view of the green mountain. This restaurant is in central Poços de Caldas on Rua Minas Gerais, 381.

The entrance has this large red awning.

As you can see the restaurant is on the second floor.

These people were very smart. You don´t have to climb a long stairway. They built a long ramp to the second floor.

This ramp is easy for people to walk up, even seniors like me!

This is the view of the ramp looking down from the second floor.

Here is the view of the green mountain from the restaurant front window.

The restaurant is self-service.

There was a steady line of clientel while we were there for lunch.

The food changes from day to day. Today they had fine selection.

An Italian roll of beef, bacon and stuffed with vegetables.

Stroganoff, pasta, vegetables.

Fried Banana, rice

Tomatoes, parsnips.

Beets, farofa.

Potato salad, and lettuce.

Banana candy (dessert).

Here is our servings.

There is seating for approximately 60 people.

The chef, . . . . . and helper . . . .

The owner and her son.

We thoroughly enjoyed our second lunch at this lovely restaurant.

Photos by Urso Branco

Apaloosa's Churrascaria

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:36:00 +0000

On Saturday, January 3, 2009 we went to Apaloosa's to celebrate my 72nd birthday. Here are photos of our experience at this marvelous restaurant in Águas da Prata.

From Wikipedia

A churrascaria (pronounced ʃuxaskaˈɾiɐ) is a Brazilian Steakhouse". Churrasco is the cooking style, which translates from the Portuguese language for 'barbecue'.

Distinctly a South American style rotisserie, it owes its origins to the fireside roasts of the gaúchos of southern Brazil traditionally from the Pampa region, centuries ago. In modern restaurants, rodizio service is typically offered. Passadors (meat waiters) come to your table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of meat, be it beef, pork, filet mignon, lamb, chicken, duck, ham and pineapple, sausage, fish, or any other sort of local cut of meat.

In most parts of Brazil, the churrasco is roasted with charcoal. In the south of Brazil, however, mostly close to the borders of Argentina Uruguay, embers of wood are also used.

They have two sizes of Rodízio, modest and unlimited!

From Wikipedia

Rodízio (roo-DEE-zyoo) is a style of restaurant service in Brazilian and Portuguese restaurants. One pays a fixed price and the waiters bring an offering of food to each customer at several times throughout the meal, until the customers signify that they have had enough. In churrascarias servers come to the table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of meat, most commonly local cuts of beef, pork, or chicken whereas in a Pizza rodizio varied pizzas are brought on trays.

Foods served at a churrascariaoften include: Filet mignon chunks wrapped in bacon Turkey chunks wrapped in bacon (these two are usually two-bite sized)Sirloin steak cut semicircular and served in slices)
Roast beef (served like sirloin steak)
Rump Cover (called Picanha in Portuguese)
Beef short ribs
Pork ribs
Chorizo or some other spicy Iberian pork sausage
Chicken hearts
Grilled dark-meat chicken
Grilled pineapple or banana meant as a palate cleanser between courses
Sushi in rare occasions

Most rodizio courses are served right off the cooking skewer, and are sliced or plated right at the table. In some restaurants, they are accompanied with Spanish fried potatoes, bananas, collard greens, black beans, and rice

In many places where churrascarias have been opened, such as the United States(but much less common in Brazil), the diner is often provided with a colored card, red on one side and green on the other. According to the usual meaning of these colours, the servers will only bring more meat if the card is flipped to the green side.

This is the grand entrance easily seen from the highway.

Inside the staff awaits to serve you.

There is seating for 208 customers.

This bar is for the waiters to provide you with the drinks of your choice at your table.

There is a fabulous salad bar with almost anything imaginable.

There are hot and cold foods to choose from. But don't fill up on these because the best is brought to your table.

The restaurant started to fill up just after we arrived.

The Passadors (meat waiters) started to bring the meats.

So many different cuts of meat.

They just keep coming and coming.

We should have seated ourselves st this table. #72!

If you want more meat you have this sign on your table.

If you have had enough you turn the sign to No Thanks.

From where we sat we had a wonderful view of the small lake and the mountain.

They had some interesting decorations.

But when we were done we avoided the desert tray because we had this fabulous birthday cake at home waiting for us. I remembered to take this pic after we had gorged ourselves .

It was 14 inches in diameter and was a gift from our friend Carlos Gottman, proprietor of Pousada Schoenheit. Carlos has a marvelous Pastry Chef, Denousa. She makes fabulous cakes and pastries for the Pousada. See the blog at http://pousadaschoenheit.blogspot.com.

So I had a great birthday lunch and we heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone passing through Águas da Prata!

Photos by Urso Branco

Restaurante Skinão

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:12:00 +0000

On Sep 28, 2008 we finally paid a visit to Restaurante Skinão in Águas da Prata.

Skinão means Big Corner. This restaurant is conveniently located on the corner across the street from the Praça Basílio Ceschin.

The food is traditional Brasilian and is very delicious. This restaurant is open all day until midnight and it is very popular. It has take-out service plus they deliver, on foot, locally. I have often seen Carlinho walking along the street with someone's lunch.

The restaurant has outdoor seating for 12 under the shade of large trees.

We were there for Sunday Lunch with our friend Diana Pereira and her mother.

Here is the view of the fountain in the Praça Basílio Ceschin across the street.

The view from inside the restaurant.

Our hostesses for lunch were Diana Pereira and her mother.

Diana places our order with Carlinho.

The food was traditional Brasilian, Rice, Beans, Chicken, Pasta, Salad and Farofa (Flour).

There is indoor seating for about 50.

There is a long bar with seating for about 12. Diana is having a smoke break!

Half of the bar is next to the windows.

The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable. This is a great place to dine and drink anytime of the day.

Photos by Urso Branco

Restaurante O Caipira

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:29:00 +0000

Restaurante O Caipira (Redneck Restaurant) 116 Avenida Senador Marcos Freire, São João da Boa Vista, on the north bound service road along the main Highway from Campinas to Poços de Caldas.

We first discovered this business when they sold fruit and vegetables. They had started out as a factory for washing potatoes.

They added a snack bar and then expanded to a lovely restaurant. They plan to add dancing in the future.

Joel, the owner, provides delivery service. Here is is taking lunch to a customer.

Joel welcomes guests.

Betti (Joel's wife) Stefania, Ismara and Joana. The staff ready to serve the customers.

The steam table is heated by a roaring wood fire.

There is ample seating for a busy Sunday Lunch.

The various meats are wonderfully cooked and presented.

There are superb hot vegetables too.

Roast pork cooked to perfection.

The salad table has each section glass covered to keep in freshness.

A marvelous pot of beans and sausage. Delicious!

Classic Brasillian Beans.

Mouth watering Lasagna.

Brasillian Potato Salad.

Another view of the attractive salad table.

A plate fit for a king. Return for more as often as you want.

A different selection for the main course.

The dessert table. Fruit salad, banana candy and rich cake smothered in whipped cream.

I chose the cake. It was loaded with sugar.

After dinner you could serve yourself with coffee in the snack bar.

There was live entertainment while we dined.

The food is delicious and plentiful and you can return for more as often as you wish. It is all for a low price of about R$12.00 (drinks extra).

We didn't get to sample everything so we will definitely be back soon.

Photos by Urso Branco

Santa Rita do Quartel Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:01:00 +0000

On Sept 4, 2008 we saw this Santa Rita delivery truck and that made us want to go back to the Santa Rita do Quartel Coffee shop.

We had heard there were some big changes.

We took the bus (only R$1,00) from Águas da Prata. It is located just 1 km from the State Line.

Here is the sign at the entrance.

But look at this new sign. It is now a Restaurant too! See the white cart wheel? Judy gave that to them.

You have a magnificent view of Santa Rita coffee trees along the highway.

Inside we were greeted by new steam tables with a modest but delicious lunch.

These are nhoque in ground beef. Simple but terrific!

There were also Boiled Potatoes, Pork, Beans and Rice.

This serving table offers a small variety of vegetables.

We selected what we wanted and moved to a good table in the window.

There was also a plate with cheese and guava candy.

The view out thr front window is spectacular.

The owner, Jeane, collects a serving.

A customer helps himself.

They have six tables for customers to enjoy their lunch or a coffee!

Two of the tables are in front of a lovely mural.

In the middle of the restaurant they have a variety of artesanatos. Here is honey.

Here are sweet candies made with milk.

They have these interesting bottle holders.

Here is the table full of sweets.

Look at this huge guava. It weighs two kilograms. Smaller packs are available too.

Look at the cute ox carts.

This is a model of the 1st airplane that flew. Made and flown by Santos Dumont. See "Brasil's Father of Flight" at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3320713.stm

This bench is very comfortable.

These are pots for the best cooks.

There is a toucan in front of the large mural.

Look at the marvelous cart full of Santa Rita Coffee. MMMMMMMMMMmmmm.

Vintage cars!

A variety of artesanatos.

A beautiful view of the valley. Águas da Prata is just out of sight.

These Coffee Trees are three years old and they already produce coffee.

These were also planted three years ago!

Here is Cafe Satan Rita do Quartel from across the highway. It is surrounded by Coffee Trees.

This is new! If you go behind the restaurant you find they have built small ponds.

They have stocked this pond with thousands of tilapia. These ones are about20cm (8") long.

There are comfortable places to sit and enjoy the view.

Here we see Daniel feeding golden carp.

These ones are about 30-40cm long (12" to 16").

Here are Daniel's rich coffee beans.

The picker lays a plastic sheet under the bushes.

Now she reaches under and with a gloved hand, pulls the beans off the bush.

They fall on the plastic sheet where it is easy to gater them up and bag them.

Daniel then takes them to the Santa Rita Coffee Drying Patio where he used to work.

I learned a good lesson. Never walk among the Coffee Trees in short pants. Look at the grass seeds all over my pants, legs, socks and shoes! At least they were not sharp.

After having had a lovely lunch and a great tour of the property we went back out to the highway in time to catch our bus back home.

If you decide to visit be sure to bring a hearty apetite.

Photos by Urso Branco

Sá Rosa Café

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:06:00 +0000

The Sá Rosa Café is in Poços de Caldas. It has only been open a couple years but already has a large clientele. It is a large and stylish café that seats over 100 people and has a lounge area with TV . . . well, read more to see all the marvelous amenities they offer.

When you enter you are greeted by the friendly and courteous staff.

Like most other cafés they have comfortable and pleasant sidewalk tables and chairs.

When you enter you notice that it is really big.

At the front of the Café they have on display a selection of "sweet" and "salty" treats.

Look up as you enter. They have WI-FI internet access for their patrons.

The seating is comfortable and elegant. There is a long bar on the side where all the coffee and meals are prepared.

They also have a small but excellent selection of wines.

This is a coffee grinding machine where they will grind you fresh coffee beans to bag and take home with you. They have two types; strong and light.

They have modest and tasteful decorations here.

If you wish, you can sit in the spacious and comfortable lounge and have your coffee, watch the large screen TV or read a book or magazine.

The seating arrangements are very comfortable. Notice my wife Judy inspecting the selections of magazines to read at your table or in the lounge.

An interesting old style gas cook stove. Are those chickens waiting to be cooked?

This computer is for patrons who wish to connect to the Internet.

There are small isolated areas outside for patrons looking for more private seating.

Here is a nice touch. Look at the old style radio.

Here are two of the friendly staff that served us. Carol and Luciana.

We had a Cappuccino and a Cafezinho (small coffee)

Here, a lady visiting from São Paulo, Katia, is ready to enjoy a lovely salad with a basket of bread. It looks very tasty.

They have a menu with many fine selections to choose from.

There are several pages listing all the delights they have to offer.

They have interesting signs, instead of graffitti, in the washrooms. This one says:
There comes Rosa courting slowly, She entered the samba, Now see how she dances!

This one says,

"Oh sweet Rosa, My love, my affection, For you, beauty, I am crazy with passion!

This is a wash basin outside the washrooms. It is an interesting style of sink.

Sá Rosa Café is located at Rua Prefeito Chagas 81, in Central Poços de Caldas. They do not have their website up and running yet but they can be reached by telephone at (35) 3721-6577.

You will enjoy your visit to this popular Café. They are usually very crowded for breakfasts and lunches. This time we were there after the lunch rush.

Photos by Urso Branco

Café Pão de Mel Revisitited

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:44:00 +0000

On December 15, 2007 we went to Poços de Caldas to do some Christmas shopping. I had heard that they had made some changes in our favourite coffee shop.

I was amazed to see they had had a complete renovation. Now they have more tables inside, more room and a fresh clean decor. Follow us inside and look at the marvelous changes.

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make a place look new. New tables and chairs and new decor all add to the great appeal.

The amazing thing is they closed for just 9 days and reopened on Halloween. The place is more than twice as big as they expanded into the back.

There is more room behind the counter and the counter is also larger.

These new lights are decorated with festive ribbons.

A simple but elegant bowl of pine cones, balls and ribbon add a festive touch also.

The staff display the cakes, chocolates and sandwiches.

There is a new shelf to display some of the packaged goods.

But the food has not changed. Here we have sandwiches of pita, ham, tomato, cheese and lettuce. Along with drinks of our choice. They use those cards with numbers on them to accumulate our bill if we add more.

We were very pleased with the light, open decor (they have an all glass front now) to help brighten the atmosphere. They have done a wonderful job of renovating. I am amazed they did it all in just nine days.

These 12 business men, and others, meet here every day at 11:00 for coffee.

Pão de Mel are open every day until nine p.m.

They are located in Poços de Caldas in two locations.

Rua Paraiba, 228 and the location in these photos is Rua Prefeito Chagas, 117.

Congratulations Pão de Mel for doing such a fine job.

Photos by Urso Branco

Santa Rita do Quartel Coffee Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:40:00 +0000

Café Santa Rita do Quartel

On the highway between Águas da Prata and Poços de Caldas, just inside São Paulo at the State Line with Minas Gerais there is a famous Coffee Shop. It is located across the highway from the Santa Rita do Quartel coffee farm.

It is one of our favourite stops when traveling between the two cities. Join us as we explore this marvelous Coffee Shop.

There is a wonderful Greeter waiting for us at the door.

Off to the side there is a Greeter in Training.

The owners of the Coffee Shop met us at the door. They are Jeane and Daniel.

If Jeane doesn't serve us Vanessa serves us.

A display of Santa Rita do Quartel coffees and wines.

One of the big features of the Coffee Shop is the wide assorment of other products besides coffee. Here we see many liquores and liquor containers.

They feature coffee and other products from the Santa Rito do Quartel farm but they are private proprietors not part of the farm. The large gold packages contain coffee beans ready for you to grind yourself.

Here we see the famous gold coloured coffee bags and silver vacuum packed bags of ground coffee.

They serve food with the coffee and cappucino some of which are shown here in packages.

Here is a selection of liquors and special bottles for sale in the shop.

They serve a variety of Santa Rita do Quartel wines as they are in season.

They have on show a large variety of candies.

They sell a wide selection of items made by local artisans from the region, especially in Minas Gerais.

The variety of of items is quite amazing.

Here are jams and honeys and various samples of pottery made by regional artrisans.

This mannequin looks life like doesn't she.

Overhead is this beautiful toucan. When you pull the string its wings flap like a real toucan.

They have a selection of tasty hot snacks available such as the cheese bread. The day we were there the selection was limited as a large group had been there before us.

Jeane prepares a cappucino.

There is lots of comfortable wicker chairs and tables.

The side verandah is closed in but with big windows. There are large windows all around the shop.

More customers arriving.

This little boy wanted to see the horse but when his daddy tried too put him on the horse he cried very loudly.

Here is the view of the Coffee Shop from the highway. That house is where Jeane and Daniel live.

This is a view of the Santa Rita do Quartel farm across the highway.

A closer look at the little church that is on the label of the Santa Rita do Quartel coffee.

The Cometa Bus travels by every half hour oin both directions.

This is the grand view from the front window of the Coffee Shop. That is the Santa Rita do Quartel farm you can see. The small white church is very visible.

Sometimes you see a moto go by. Motos are a popular mode of travel in Brasil.

Sometimes two go by.

Maybe even three.

But these guys just rode past without stopping.

But this one stopped for a while. It was a man and a small boy out for a Saturday ride.

Did you notice something missing? The coffee we drank! We were enjoying the coffee and the Pão de Queijo so much I forgot to take pictures of them.

Next time I will take some photos before we drink it all. *SMILE*

Photos by Urso Branco

The Old Pot

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:53:00 +0000

The Panela Velha, Old Pot in English, is one of our favourite restaurants in São João da Boa Vista. We have lunch there often. Here is what their excellent food looks like. Unfortunately I can only tell you it is delicious. You must come here to taste it for yourself.

Here is the restaurant.

They have a small sign outside telling you what they serve.

They even have an nice welcome mat in the doorway.

This is the grill where they BBQ the meats.

They BBQ several meats, beef, pork, chicken, sausages, and fish.

This side table has a wide selection of condiments for the meats.

Paulo, the chef, holds up some beef for me to select the piece I want.

They have a very large salad table. This section has cheeses.

There are many vegetables to choose from.

Some are mixed, others are solo.

The display continues. Select anything you want.

Around the corner they have lettuce and tomatoes.

This is a large heating pan for various dishes with hot pies in front.

There is a basket of breads in the corner.

There are many hot dishes including pork skins. A Brasillian favourite.

Corn fried like French Fried potatoes.

I tried this dish because I like bananas. This is fabulous! The bananas are rolled in ham and cooked in a rich sauce. One word describes it. MMMMMMMM!!!

A delicious stew.

The old standard. French Fries.

There are many other hot dishes to choose from.

There is a comparatively small desert selection of fruits and jello.

After serving myself this huge plate of food I took it to the scale to be weighed. They sell by the kilo. I had no desert but there is no charge for the desert.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

We got there a little late so the main lunch crowd was gone. This is a very popular eatery in São João da Boa Vista. The food is fabulous and the prices are reasonable.

We like to come here often because they are one of the few that we like that serve fish. Judy loves fish.

Photos by Urso Branco

Pousada Zago

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:45:00 +0000

Food Cooked on a Wood Stove

Pousada Zago is a lovely country restaurant right inside Águas da Prata, located just one block from our house.

This is the first restaurant we ever dined in, here in Águas da Prata.

When you come to visit here be sure to bring a big appetite as the helpings are quite large. Often we have had to take home more than half of what were served. The food is excellent and the service matches the food.

We arrived to find these ladies from Campinas with a gentleman from Spain having a beer on the verandah.

Inside the restaurant the tables were waiting.

The restaurant has rooms available too. The dining room seats about 60.

We went back to the kitchen to see what was happening. They were preparing noque.

These people from Poços de Caldas have started their meal.

They do not have a menu for the restaurant. Everyone gets the same meal.

First came a delicious macaroni soup with bread rolls.

This was followed by a simple lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad.

The next course included the noque (bread and flour, rolled, cut in pieces then boiled) along with zuccini and rice.

Then a small beef was added.

Brasilians love beans so a delicious bean dish is added.

The desert we had was a candied banana and cheese.

Sebastião and Bernadette stand proudly before the wood stove in their kitchen.

All the food you just saw would normally be for one person. We were used to their large servings so we just ordered a single serving and shared it.

Pousada Zago is located in Águas da Prata, Centro at Rua. Dr. Wolfgran Ferreira, 187. Telephone (19) 3642-1177.

Photos by Urso Branco

Café Pão de Mel - Poços de Caldas

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:25:00 +0000

Our Favourite Coffee Shop in Poços de Caldas

Whenever we go to Poços de Caldas we try to arrange a visit here for coffee, soft drinks, a sandwich and sweets.

They have the best cakes in the region. This was very delicious. Mmmmmmmmmm.

A tempting Strawberry masterpiece. They are hard to resists.

They have an assortment of delicious "salty" things too. In Brasil it is either Salty or Sweet.

They have a limited but superb supply of sandwiches. This is a ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwich on pita bread. We tried to duplicate it at home. As simple as it is we just couldn't get it the same.

Here is one of my favourites. That little choclate is called "Bom Bom de Nozes". It is a delicious choclate with a nut (Nozes) on top .

This is the Famous "Pão de Mel". It means Bread with Honey and is covered in choclate. We have never found a better one anywhere else. This is simply the Best in Brasil.!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Some famous people stop here for a coffee and a sweet. Here we see the "World Famous Urso Branco" getting a shoe shine while his daughter, Lucia, watches.

This is the favourite coffee house of a group of retired business men in Poços de Caldas. They have up to 12 Old Pals that gather there every Thursday for Coffee and Companionship.

We enjoy this shop because of the friendly and courteous staff, the fine food and the central location in downtown Poços de Caldas.

Photos by Urso Branco

Pousada, Pesqueiro e Restaurante Progresso

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:54:00 +0000

Fish along the Highway

There is a marvelous eatery along the rodovia to São João da Boa Vista. It is a working farm with a fishing hole, a restaurant and pousada (motel).

As you drive along watch for this sign on the east side of the highway.

Turn in here.

You come in along that road under the trees.

As you drive through the farm you come to this sign. The pousada is on the right and all the other attractions are straight ahead.

Here come Judy and Urso Branco up to the restaurant.

The whole place has several intersting buildings.

There is the fishing pond in front of the restaurant.

I like the rustic benches they have.

This hut is at the end of a small walkway out over the pond.

You can just make out people fishing across the pond.

Inside there is a salad bar.

The main course is here.

They have a modest selection of local wines.

The bar is fairly big.

They can seta a large crowd in this room.

We arrived a little late so we didn't need to line up.

Judy selects her food. Notice she is accompanied by a little helper.

The main course was a choice of chicken, beef, rice and veggies. Simple country fare but very delicious.

Now this is just like home. Dogs! Look under the table.

From the small hut out over the pond looking back at the restaurant.

Look at the family fishing under the restaurant, in the shade.

They even have a dance hall off to the side.

You can see people fishing on the far side of the pond. You can have your catch cooked up for you if you wish.

The view of the mountains.

Another of those intersting benches.

There is a ramp up to the second floor, over the restaurant.

This is a hall that can be rented out for conferences or other events.

There are dances held here on Saturdays.

A variation on those benches.

This is the pousada back near the entrance.

Someone has a sense of humour or just a need, The sign says Little Goat House whereas there is a calf in it. As I said. this is a working farm.

This is another "Must See" when you visit the vicinity of São João da Boa Vista/Águas da Prata.

For more information about these facilities go to the Progresso website or telephone them at (19)3623-1990.

Photos by Urso Branco

Café Galeria

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:02:00 +0000

A Luxury Coffee House in Poços de Caldas

This a Coffee House in Poços de Caldas that is both luxurious and historic. It was built in 1894, one of three houses built for three sisters. This one has since been acquired by a bank, restored as an Art Gallery and Coffee Shop. There is also a cinema in the basement. The predominent colours are blue and white.

Two of the houses were built the same. This one is only a block away and the predominant colours are red and white but the architecture is identical. It is still occupied by descendants of the original owner.

The original third house was not the same as the other two because that sister was handicapped and could not climb stairs. So it was only one story high and it has since been torn down and replaced by a modern style home.

This is the uninteresting entrance to the gallery on the street behind the Café Galeria.

When you go through the gallery you come to the entrance to this beautiful old house.

The patio.

The gardens are lovely even in winter. These are two bushes of extremely rare Pink Camelias, planted there when the house was built.

These two Pink Camelias are on the patio.

This bush has two colours of flower on it.

Here is a close up. It is called manaca.

There are a few beautiful Bird of Paradise around the property.

The architecture is marvellous. Notice the fine iron work on the door. Above the door is the year the house was built. In the middle of the door are the initials of the three sisters.

When they restored the door on this house they liked it so much they recreated life size duplicates on either side the original door.

Here is what the other house door looks like. The iron work is identical to the Blue House.

This is one of the original hardwood floors from 1894.

The ceiling is all original, except for the gallery lights, of course.

All the doors and windows are original or very painstakingly restored.

Most rooms in the house are used as an art gallery. Some have tables and chairs for coffee.

Judy had a cappuccino and I had a regular coffee. This certainly isn't a Canadian Coffee House. Look how tiny the classic cups are. *SMILE* They are called cafézinho or diminuitive cups.

They have a simple but classic menu.

The prices are much the same as regular coffee houses. But some of the items on the list are rare classics in linw with the tone of the entire coffe house.

These are special cheese buns (pão de queijo) served with jams or honey. Very delicious!

We went back out through the main gallery. It is quite large. There was a special show on with all black and white photographs.

These two photos were a sad commentary on the days only half a century ago when children worked in the coal mines.

If you come to Poços de Caldas this is a "Must See" on your list. The food and coffees are wonderful and the service is elegant.

Photos by Urso Branco

Restaurante Prata

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:55:00 +0000

In Town Dining in Águas da Prata

"Come to taste the best home cooked food and appreciate the wonderful landscape that only Águas da Prata has to offer"

Food by kilo - Self Service - Marmitex -
Take-Out - Drinks in general

This Restaurante Prata is in the heart of Águas da Prata, near the train station on the main highway to Campinas and Poços de Caldas. Therefore there is a lot of traffic passing by all the time. Truckers call ahead and have them prepare lunch to be picked up as they pass by.

The parking lot is small and sometimes difficult to get out of when traffic is heavy. We parked here this day.

Judy walks towards the front door.

The building is long and narrow.

It curves around the corner towarsds the train tracks.

It is a very popular restaurant with excellent food. We eat here often.

The food is at the far end in self serve tables.

The steam table is large with a variety of choices of delicious Brasilian dishes.

The food changes little so you always know what to expect.

You can take as much as you want of whatever you want as often as you want.

But, then you take your plate to this Senhora and she weighs it and bills you per kilo.

You can see her in this photo filling an order for someone who called in.

The dessert table has a variety if very sweet dishes. This is sweet potato candy.

This is milk candy.

This is peanut candy.

This is a light milk pudding in syrup.

This is a popular dish, milk cream.

This photo finaly reveals a secret. Have you every wondered where Santa Claus went in the summer (in Canada)? He was seen here in the kitchen. Now I know!

There is a large bar for those who like a drink.

There is seating for about 70 people in the restaurant.

This is an outdoor patio. It seems like a good idea however with all the heavy truck, bus and car traffic it actually is an unpleasant place to sit so they no longer use it.

Here is Judy paying the bill. The food is quite economical. It usually costs us about $R20,00 for the two of us. That is about Cdn$10.00.

Whenever we want a break from the daily routine we just come here and enjoy a good meal. The Restaurante Prata is only six blocks from our home.

Photos by Urso Branco

Restaurante Arvorismo

noreply@blogger.com (Urso Branco) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:37:00 +0000

Country Dining in Águas da Prata

A few kilometers outside the town there is a delightful restaurant in the forest called Caminho da Serra or more familiarly, Arvorismo. It is a restaurant and an outdoor sport center with young people riding the wires from tree to tree. They also have a well stocked fishing pond that the kids love.

The restaurant is nestled in a sylvan setting beside a quiet lake.

It is a pleasant restaurant with home-made cooking on a wood stove.

The locale is quite beautiful.

Dining beside the lake is a wonderful experience.

The serving staff are courteous and helpful.

The chef is excellent and cooks your food as it is ordered.

The chef, Rodriguez, hard at work grilling beef and pork.

The salad bar.

The salad bar again.

Egg plant with onions and zuccini.

Broccoli, fried sweet potatoes.

Flour mix and fried bacon rinds.

For dessert there was a choice of a sweet banana dish with cheese, or jello or fruit salad.

Urso Branco enjoyed a tiny Brasilian coffee. *SMILE*

The outdoor Sport Adventure part of the visit.

As we are dining the young people ride the wire out of the forest, over the lake past the diners.

This looks like quite an adventure. If only I was 30 years younger . . . . . . .

This young girl came flying out of the forest.

But she was not heavy enough to reach the end so she had to pull herself to the finish.

When she reached the end she had to walk across this bridge.

Our guest, Diana Pereira outfitted to ride the wire.

They have a similar experience for kids. Here they are getting ready.

The sister and brother are ready to fly. Notice the safety gear. Everything is done safely here.

They climb the tower with an attendant to guide them. He hooks them to the wire.

First, the young girl comes flying down the wire.

A man is waiting at the end to unhoook her.

Then her brother flies down the wire.

He now must be unhooked.

Look at the happy smile on the flyer as Dad and the attendant unhook him.

We went back another day with the Grandkids. Marilim, the proprietor, watches the preparations.

Three year old Felipe is ready to fly! He has more courage than I do!

Alexandre, Carolina and Felipe are all ready to fly!

Carolina, 7 years old, flies down the wire.

Alexandre, 6 Year old, had a great ride too.

The star for the day was Felipe, 3 years old!

This is a fabuolous experience for the kids. The really love this place.

They have a well stocked pond for visitors for fishing. The young folks are thrilled with it.

They even catch good sized fish.

How exciting! Ricardo holds up the fish the kid caught.

This is the Arvorismo tour buggy. Nice eh?

Arvorismo also has Trekking tours, to the train tunnel, to seven waterfalls plus other interesting outdoor activities.

Arvorismo is a fine dining experience and a great adventure locale. Future plans include a pousada. They are open on the weekends and holidays. For more information about the adventure and to visit their website, click their logo.

They are located off Rodovia Adhemer de Barros (SP 342) at Km 243, Águas da Prata, SP, Brasil. Telephone: (19) 3642-2794 or (35) 9977-1982.

You can call about adventure schedules, reservations and rates or send an email to:

atendimento@caminhodaserra.com.br

Photos by Urso Branco