Magical place in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, framed by one of the most beautiful private gardens by landscaper Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994), the Casa Marambaia has become one of the most talked about boutique hotels among locals for a stylish weekend in the mountains.
Inside Fazenda Marambaia (in Côrreas, close to Petrópolis), the hotel with just eight suites has a restaurant full of attributes and — best of all — also open to “non-guests”. The tables that invite you to a leisurely lunch or dinner occupy a colonial-style room that opens onto a delightful outdoor area.
At the end of 2023, the chef Douglas Franco practically renewed the entire menu based on visits to small local producers. He mined raw materials such as trout (from neighboring Quinta das Nascentes) and escargot (which arrives from Escargots Invernada, in the Posse district).
To get along well between starters, two sure options are the Carpaccio with very finely sliced pear in a harmonious composition with raw ham, boursin-type goat cheese and honey vinaigrette (R$ 72) and the Perfect Egg that arrives at the table bathed for a velvety asparagus cream (R$ 68).
The menu, previously French-biased, now focuses on dishes with a more Brazilian feel, such as the pressed Oxtail with smoked eggplant puree and watercress (R$ 145) and the Beef Rib with cassava puree, kale and onion petals (R$ $160).
During our visit, two dishes stood out. One of them was the Guinea fowl in rôti sauce with tasty syrupy rice, grilled okra and toasted leaves (R$ 152) and the Filet mignon Medallion covered in excellent rapadura and pink pepper sauce accompanied by potatoes gratin with Minas Gerais cheese from Serra da Canastra (R$ 165).
Save some space for the tempting desserts, such as the Basque tart with guava syrup and cheese ice cream (R$42) and the corn creme brulée topped with caramelized popcorn (R$38).
Casa Marambaia: Rua Doutor Agostinho Goulão, 2098, Corrêas, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro / Tel.: (24) 2236-3650 / Restaurant opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:30 pm to 9 pm.
Source: CNN Brasil
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