Rio Bonito Supermercado

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Rio Bonito is located in a former garage, but Gourmet Garage it ain't. Located just off of Northern Boulevard, this modest 5-aisle supermarket caters to Brazilian expats hungry for a taste of home. Aside from Brazilian hip hop and classic samba on the loudspeakers (related CDs and concert DVDs are for sale), atmospherics are few. This keeps prices surprisingly low, even for decadent desserts: e.g., artery-attacking dulce de leche spreads incorporating swirls of chocolate, strawberry, etc. Passion fruit and obscure Amazon berries such as açai (a richly flavored, inky energy-booster that tastes like a cross between a banana and a strawberry) are available as jams, powder and especially juices: Who else in the city stocks six varieties of cashew juice? Other comfort drinks include Guaraná Antártica (a Fresca-like soda with purported medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties) and Matte Leão tea mix, made from another natural stimulant originally used by South American Indians. Brazilian cheese tends to be bland, but skewers of rubbery cheese—perfect for grilling—are an irresistible beach staple. If you're up on your Portuguese, a butcher can prepare churrascaria-style cuts and specialties like linguica, a kielbasa-esque smoked sausage still manufactured according to an old Portuguese recipe. Shoppers who sample the small selection of heat-lamped street eats (e.g., bolinhos and paos de queijo, also available frozen) may be inspired to visit Rio Travel upstairs to book the next flight out. — Daniel Maurer