Rio Holiday Food Services
Food is an extremely important part of any vacation, and you will be happy to know that the food in Brazil is both delicious and inexpensive. Because you will be staying in a private residence, we have gone to great lengths to make sure that you are never hungry or unable to satisfy that craving. Some of the food services are extra cost, but the prices are quite reasonable.
Breakfast (Complimentary)
Breakfast, or "café de manha", is included free of charge with your room and we know you will be delighted with our offerings. We start with coffee, a major export from Brazil. It is served in Brazilian style (thick with hot milk) or American style. A typical Brazilian breakfast includes juice, fresh tropical fruits, cheeses, breads (cheese, French, and sweet), ham, and assorted jams and jellies. We normally include eggs, and can serve bacon upon request. Breakfast is served anytime you wish after 8:00 AM in our beautiful dining room overlooking the sea. Here, you can chat with your friends about yesterday's happenings while you are planning the days events. If you prefer, there are various tables outside by the pool where you can enjoy your morning coffee. If you can't get out of bed without your morning cup, coffee can be served in your room.
Snacks
When you arrive, you will find a complimentary bowl of fresh tropical fruits on the dining room table. If you are planning a snacking event (you know who you are), we can easily get whatever you want at the grocery store. Chips, cookies, ice cream, just tell us what you want. Restaurant delivery service, including pizza, is available to all houses.
Lunches and Dinners at Home
For your convenience, lunches and dinners are available at the house for a nominal charge. This is great for those times when you just want to veg-out around the pool or relax at home with your friends. After all, you can't samba every night! Our most popular meal is the Brazilian barbeque or churrasco by the pool. This experience is not to be missed and can be arranged for 2 to 82. We can even pack lunches for the beach or your hike. The maid can prepare simple meals, but for more ambitious offerings or for dinner parties, we have a cook available for an extra charge. She can purchase the ingredients and then prepare and serve the meal. You can choose from a variety of Brazilian or American dishes, even selecting these ahead of your arrival of you like. The cost varies with the number of guests and food selection, but prices usually start about US$ 80 for a party of 4, higher for the churrasco as a professional cook is needed.
It is less expensive to order food delivered to your door from one of the many fine restaurants in the area. This is very common in Brazil and is consequently very organized. You can usually get whatever you want - meats, fish, salad, pasta, pizza, and of course, all types of delicious Brazilian dishes.
Parties
Perhaps you are meeting other people while in Rio, such as friends or family. Maybe you are attending a wedding or maybe you need to do some business entertaining. Rio Holiday can help! Our staff can prepare and host a party for you at your house. This could be cocktails, a reception, a pool barbeque, or even something like a buffet meal for a number of guests. Your Hospitality Manager can help you plan this event, even before you arrive in Brazil. We can even arrange off premises functions if you need to plan a larger event such as a wedding reception.
Continuous Cocktails and Complimentary Caipirinhas
If your idea of relaxation includes a cocktail by the pool, before dinner, or even a morning "eye-opener", we can handle this. The Brazilian national drink is called the caipirinha (pronounced kye-peer-een´-yuh). It is traditionally made with limes, sugar, ice, and cachaça (pronounced kah-shah´-suh). Sometimes other types of fruits are used with either rum or vodka. Your Hospitality Manager will show you how to make these and even make them for you when she is around. Are you sitting down for this? Caipirinhas are included free of charge with the cost of the house rental! That's right, all you want, whenever you want. We can also provide other types of cocktails, beer, or soft drinks for a small charge. Want to be your own bartender? Want a special liquor, wine, or champagne? We can pre-stock the bar for you with your favorites.
Restaurants
Dining out is a very enjoyable experience in Brazil and this is a must for your trip. Brazilian food is delicious and the service is exceptional. You can also find Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and almost anything else, including McDonalds and Outback. Your Hospitality Manager will be happy to give recommendations, make reservations if required, and arrange transportation. From rustic to chic, Rio has it all. On your first or second night in Brazil, you may want to invite your Hospitality Manager to dinner, where she can orient you to Brazilian restaurants and visit with you about your plans.
Groceries
Perhaps you are a gourmet cook, or just want to get some "comfort food" for the refrigerator. We can pre-stock the house with your favorites at your request for a nominal fee. If you prefer the experience of visiting a Brazilian market, we can arrange for a trip to the grocery store. NEW. When coordinated with your driver for the day of arrival, a short visit to the grocery store is free of charge!