Arab dishes of Rotisseria Syrian Lebaneza in Rio deserve to be discovered by all

One of the best -kept dining secrets for those outside the river is really well kept – specifically, at the bottom of a gallery without large charms in the junction of the neighborhoods of Catete, Flamengo and Laranjeiras. This is where, since 1968, the Syrian Libaneza Rotisseria, one of the most beloved cafeterias (and restaurant).

Was the best esfiha in town there? Yes, they guarantee fans of the salty served at the Arabic of Largo do Machado, as Rotisseria is known to the goers. Served in four flavors – carne, chicken, minas cheese and vegetables (R $ 9.50) – they are thin, very spicy and can carry a sloth of the lemon, as the sauce made there, only the juice of fruit and water. Nothing more.

Asking for lemon sauce, by the way, it denotes a certain amateurism compared to the rituals of the house, as well as to call the restaurant by name. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you see someone eating two esfihas at once: overlapping meat and cheese. It happens quite often. Thing of those who have been there for years.

The beef esfiha, stuffed with a mixture of acte and muscle (difficult information to get with the manager the day after the visit; as to the spices, he, who is not silly or anything, preferred to keep secret), impressive by regularity. It is always hot, humid and warm, given the high turnover. It is bordered behind bump.

Meat and cheese salty accounts for 85% of those sold in the store, which have no branches. The vegetarian option is the vegetable esfiha: Escarola and sauteed parsley with onion, a warm warmth.

The Arabic Arabic Machado made fame with what is sold at the counter, pitched by people eager not only by the esfihas, but also by the kibes, which can be fried (R $ 9.50), oven (R $ 20) or raw (R $ 50), the latter with two side dishes (rice with lentils and fried onions, dry curd, tabal and homus tahin.

To taste these more robust dishes it is advisable to win a table in the salon if not in a hurry. Not that it is comfortable. It is tight, noisy, with tables that barely fit the abundance of the dishes served. But no one cares.

Customers go there to eat, not to do social, and everyone seems to know exactly what to ask. No frills, no inventions or modernities. The pregnant woman who had lunch a stand up, from the company’s badge, doesn’t let me lie.

Cafta, the least photogenic of all the dishes already conceived by the human being, is served in an exemplary point, not at all dry, very tasty. The same R $ 50 is paid for two of them, with a duo of side dishes. Cabbage, pepper, zucchini or eggplant stuffed with ground beef complete the meal menu. All at $ 50. For two.

Desserts are the classic: pistachio nests, almonds, apricots or walnuts (R $ 9.50), walnut belewa, halawi (sesame jam), as well as friendly curd with honey (R $ 13) and sweet rice (R $ 12). Cheap, consistent and practical, the Arabic Arabic of Machado is one of those places that everyone would like to have close to home.