Owner of one of the best Arab cuisines in Rio the Bar do Elias chain underwent a dismemberment in society in 2022. After that, the famous unit in Barra da Tijuca, on Avenida Olegário Maciel, was renamed Brasa Mohamed, taking the surname of the family that takes care of the place — the brothers Mariam and Iahia Mohamed, as well as the patriarch, Hassan.
At the end of 2023, they decided to change Brasa Mohamed neighborhood. They sold the Barra spot and, in February, opened the Mohamed House , in Ipanema. On Rua Vinicius de Morais, the restaurant is next door to the always crowded Pure Ember a bar that also belongs to the Mohamed family.
Just like in Barra, the main attraction at Casa Mohamed is a well-deserved lunch per kilo, which combines many Arabic delights with everyday recipes. Don't forget to try the closed seasoned ricotta esfiha, the grape leaf cigar, the tabbouleh and fatuche salads and the excellent typical pastas — curd, babaganuche and hummus.
In the hot section, there is always beef, lamb or chicken cafta, the excellent lentil rice and even more conventional suggestions that include rice and well-seasoned black beans. Lunch costs R$ 114.90 per kilo (Tuesday to Friday) and R$ 129.90 (Saturday, Sunday and holidays).
Among the à la carte suggestions are the shredded lamb shoulder with Moroccan couscous (R$ 94), chacrie (filet mignon dipped in curd; R$ 69) accompanied by rice with vermicelli and the delicious assembled raw kibbeh (R$ 45) , which features interspersed layers of raw kibbeh, curd, tabbouleh and ground meat.
A refrigerated counter holds custom-made Arabic sweets (R$ 12 per unit), such as harisse, ataif and almond and walnut nests.
Mohamed House: Rua Vinícius de Moraes, 149, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro / Tel.: (21) 3435-4977 and WhatsApp: (21) 98348-5657 / Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, from 11:30 am to 10 pm; Thursday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 11 pm. 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.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
