Where do chefs eat? With Pepo Figueiredo, from Clan BBQ, in Rio de Janeiro

Pepo Figueiredo is, in fact, João Pedro da Costa Figueiredo, whose nickname comes from childhood. It was precisely during his childhood that the barbecue became an important part of his memories.

Later, in order to keep the memory of his father, who died while the young man was studying law, Pepo dedicated himself to cooking at the barbecue and became interested in gastronomy, which led him to drop out of the course.

He then landed in Napa, in the United States, where he studied gastronomy at The Culinary Institute of America and interned at bouchon French bistro by star chef Thomas Keller.

With the pandemic, Pepo returned to Brazil straight to the mountainous region of Araras, in Rio, where with his friend and chef newton rich ran the Da Montanha ao Mar project, in which they organized dinners with organic vegetables and fresh fish.

With the repercussion of the events, they were invited to be part of the Clan BBQ by restaurateur Janine Sad which was born in 2022 and specializes in grilling.

Away from the stoves, Pepo also tries other flavors around Rio and shares his favorite addresses in the Marvelous City below:

Satyricon Restaurant

Satyricon maintains its service and product excellence. The house in Ipanema has been a reference in seafood in Rio de Janeiro since the 1980s.

I recommend the restaurant as it is a timeless classic and a heritage of the city.

Satyricon Restaurant : Rua Barão da Torre, 192 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 2521-0627 / Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 12h to 24h; Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 1 am.

Haru Sushi

With attention to every detail, the owner Menandro Rodrigues created in Copacabana a temple of Japanese culture and gastronomy.

The quality of the products served at Haru is incredible and the environment has a beautiful new salon. My special highlight goes to the Omakase (R$ 286 per person), under the command of the great Renato Mascarelo.

Haru Sushi : Rua Raimundo Corrêa, 10 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 2547-6867 and 96732-2668 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12h to 23h30. Closed on Mondays and the first Sunday of the month.

BB Snacks

In the intervals of a busy day in the kitchen, an exit for a breather ends up in the BB Snacks where a strawberry juice with acerola (R$16) and a meat pastry (R$15) lift the spirits and prepare the body for service.

For me, BB Lanches is a reference for every juice house.

BB Lanches: Rua Aristides Espinola, 64, Loja A – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Telephone: (21) 2294-1397 / Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday from 8 am to 1 am; Wednesday from 8 am to 2 am; Thursday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm.

SOUTH

In a lively environment with minimalist and elegant decor, the chef Nelson Soares serves delicious Italian dishes accompanied by a list of organic, biodynamic and natural wines, with excellent options in all price ranges.

Among the dishes, my highlights are the raw meat with hazelnuts and grana padano (R$52), the cacio e pepe mushrooms (R$67) and the octopus fregula.

sult : Rua Fernandes Guimarães, 77 – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel: (21) 99922-3125 (WhatsApp) and (21) 3486-6777 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12h to 23h and Sunday from 12h to 23h 5 pm.

Flavor of the Waters

most recent project Marcelo Malta the corner that housed the first point of the neighbor, Sabor DOC, today has refrigerators for maturation of fish, very fresh frozen seafood and an aquarium to house the oysters that arrive alive from Santa Catarina.

I like the house because of the relaxed atmosphere and the light and fresh food.

Flavor of the Waters : Rua Dias Ferreira, 605, Loja C- Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Phone: (21) 3088-8334 or (21) 99836-4734 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12h to 23h and Sunday from 12h at 6 pm; closed on mondays.