New Escaminha arrives in Leblon with good fish and seafood recipes

Rio’s bustling gastronomic corridor, Rua Dias Ferreira, in Leblon , continues to renew its fleet of cool addresses. The last bar to attract attention in the area is called Escaminha opened by the same partners as the Escama restaurant — which has been operating since 2021 in Jardim Botânico.

With a modern look and a more relaxed atmosphere than the main house, the restaurant has tables that overlook the sidewalk and allow you to see the coming and going of the public, eager for partying, that circulates there from the evening onwards.

The menu follows the mother house’s mantra: the best in the world of fish and seafood. You can see the welcome intention of avoiding the obvious in recipes such as the octopus croquette with tamarind sauce (R$ 36; four pieces) and the interesting oyster from Santa Catarina covered in sweet pepper granita (R$ 49; four units). The fish broth (R$36) is enriched with tomato water, braised fish and coriander oil.

Don’t forget to try one of the five suggestions that feature fresh fish with different combinations of seasonings. One of the best is the tuna tataki (R$36), which combines cubes of fish, kombu seaweed dashi broth, toasted sesame seeds, togarashi pepper and gherkin pickles.

The kitchen also offers sandwiches with octopus tentacle, cavaca or oyster and a ‘burger’ with breaded fish fillet (R$ 46), cabbage salad, pickles and lemon mayonnaise — a gourmetized version of McFish.

For lunch or dinner appetites, there are grilled preparations, such as flattened fish served whole (R$ 148) or half (R$ 79) with a variety of side dishes. On the day of the visit, the exquisite seaman’s rice (R$ 119, individual), with shrimp, squid and octopus also shined. Another good option to share is the seafood moqueca with coconut rice and palm farofa, for one (R$ 108) or two people (R$ 198).

Escaminha: Rua Dias Ferreira, 154, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro / Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday, from 5pm to 11pm; Friday and Saturday, from 12pm to 1am; and Sunday, from 12pm to 9pm. Not open on Mondays.

The texts published by Insiders and Columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia.

Fabio Wright

Journalist from São Paulo who travels weekly between São Paulo and Rio, has written about gastronomy for major publications, such as Veja São Paulo, O Estado de S. Paulo and Época São Paulo. In the last ten years, he has visited eighteen countries in search of good places to eat, drink, party and enjoy bohemia. Also share your discoveries on the website and Instagram Taste and Fly.