the trajectory of Nery Owczarzak inside the kitchen actually started outside Brazil. His first job was as a janitor at a restaurant. London when he took up residence in the European city in 2008.
Over time, he moved up in positions and worked in other houses. Back in Brazil in 2010, Nery joined the team at Gluttony Gluttony as a cook and later as a kitchen manager and supervisor. There he also held the position of head chef.
Two years later, he became executive chef at sell , a tapas bar that now has units in Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana. He spent eight years in charge of the Spanish restaurant until, in 2018, he came up with the idea of running his own bar alongside his longtime friend, Eduardo Gomes.
In August of the same year, the duo opened the Friend Pig , a bar specializing in pork. Originally from Botafogo, this year the business expanded and stopped in Leblon, where a unit with dishes inspired by Portuguese cuisine was opened.
Away from his business, Nery tastes other flavors around the city in search of “snacks and cold beers”. Next, check out the chef’s favorite addresses in Rio de Janeiro :
Fuska Bar
I love the environment of Fuska. The bar always has live music and people on the sidewalk. It’s an open and cozy place with ice cold beer.
I’ve been going to the bar since it was just a counter and it served very few people who just came to have a cold beer and chat. Fuska is the place of many stories!
Cap Street Salomão, 52 – Humaitá, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 2266-3621 / Opening hours: Tuesday: from 6 pm to midnight; Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 1 am.
Blue Peacock Bar
Born and raised in Copacabana, the Peacock I would never be left out of this list, because it was one of the first bars I started to frequent. And I keep going.
The must-try are the cheese cake with dried tomato, shrimp pastel, patanisca, a beer (always very cold) or the coconut milkshake. There’s no mistake, just be happy.
Rua Hilário de Gouvêia, 71 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 2236-238 / Opening hours: every day from 12 noon to midnight.
square grocery store
For me it is a house with one of the best value for money in Rio. Here I always go in order: codfish cake (R$9.90 a unit), cod handjob (R$38.90) and crispy octopus (R$56.90).
To drink, I choose a 100% alvarinho from the restaurant’s immense cellar. At square grocery store There’s no mistake: it’s a variety for all tastes. I visit the house at least once a week.
Rua Jangadeiros, 28 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel: (21) 3986-1400 / Opening hours: every day from 12 pm to 1 am.
Puss in Boots Bar
O Cat in Boots was a sure indication of the singer Gabriel da Muda. I discovered the place a short time ago, but I can already say that I made up for lost time.
My tip is to eat everything from the window. Order the chicken wings stuffed with provolone and don’t ask unnecessary questions! Because? Go and you will understand.
Rua Torres Homem, 118 – Store C – Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 98128-8252 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm to midnight; Friday from 17:00 to 00:30; Saturday from 12:00 to 00:30 and Sunday from 12:00 to 23:00.
Humaitá cafeteria
For me, this is “the” place in Rio de Janeiro. It’s where we gather our best friends, drink the coldest beer in the world and where the idea of opening Porco Amigo came from. The nicest bar owner is also from here, Arnaldo.
We have already performed Christmas, New Year’s Eve, infinite samba circles and we have almost an album of songs created here – this list was even written here as well. To close, the cafeteria has the best ham I’ve ever had in my life.
Rua Humaitá, 156 – Humaitá, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 2538-0202 / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 5 am to 2 am.
Source: CNN Brasil
