Confeitaria Colombo Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Address
Forte de Copacabana, Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco, Copacabana
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Phone
3201 4049

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Lonely Planet review

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of Av Atlântica, this handsome café offers truly magnificent views of Copacabana beach. At the outdoor tables, you can sit beneath shady palm trees, enjoying cappuccino, salads, quiche or crepes as young soldiers from the fort file past. To get there, you'll have to pay admission (around R$2 ) to the Forte de Copacabana (Copacabana fort), but it's well worth the price. There is also another branch in Centro (2232 2300; Rua Gonçalves Dias 34, Centro).

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Dear Diary: Here I sit in a famous eatery founded in 1894 by 2 Portuguese émigré. The sheer opulence of this grand, art nouveau Confeitaria helps me appreciate the Belle Époque. Paris of the Americas. Perhaps. Sound of live ivory tickling. Waft of fresh pastries. Hum of happy diners. Am I the only one dining alone? Alone. I’m not alone. The spirit of famous past patrons compels me to write. The menu notes this setting has attracted famous poets, musicians, writers, artists & now: moi. Imagine. As I scribble here in my journal I’m seeking inspiration from the great minds that have come before. Perhaps having sat in this very seat. The menu continues to boast of receiving visitors including Queen Elizabeth, King Albert & President Roosevelt. Should my name be added to the record? I think not. One of the founders, Manoel Lebrão (affectionately called Daddy Lebrão) was known to “forget debts, serve double shots for the price of singles…defuse arguments & fights, pay trolley fares & accept in lieu of payment promotional verses in praise of the Colombo.” If he were alive today, perhaps I’d be dining for free tonight if I were to sing the praises of Colombo to the editors of Lonely Planet. Perhaps. He was also eccentric with his labor practices. Colombo employees “could only get married after asking for permission in writing” from Lebrão. Perhaps serving great poets and writers gave them the inspiration needed to fall in love & subsequently write eloquent marriage requests. So? Have I come here for inspiration or food? Excellent question. Coffee or tea will it be? There is a local saying that coffee should be ‘as strong as the devil, as black as ink, as hot as hell & as sweet as love.’ Let me just say…I’ve ordered the tea with accompaniments of cheese, fruit & pastries. It all slid down amazingly well. Signing off for now. Musings to continue from Copacabana tomorrow. Good night.