São Paulo – Since last year, the smell and flavor of Brazilian food are more pronounced in Jordan thanks to chefs Daniela and Alessando Panizzi. Putting together their experiences in restaurants in Africa and the city of São Paulo, the siblings decided to take Brazil’s typical dishes to the parties of the Arab country. The work was successful and in March 2017 they will open their restaurant, Nena Brazilian Bistro & Grill, in Amman.
The idea to set up a business in the Middle East country came when the pair took part in a festival of Brazilian food in the first half of 2016. “The people loved it and we decided to open [a restaurant] here,” says Daniela. While it’s not open yet, they have been serving their dishes in many different events.
“We have been catering for parties in the embassies, to Arabs and also foreigners. We do birthday parties, lunches, dinners, even breakfast. We served a breakfast to the royal family. Princess Muna [Al-Hussein, mother of king Abdullah] loved cheese breads,” she says.
Daniela says that Brazilian food is little known in Jordan yet, but it has pleased those that tried the dishes. “Here they have cuts such as eye round and tenderloin. They didn’t know rump steak, chicken sausage, farofa (toasted manioc flour mixture) and cheese bread. They also haven’t heard of açaí berry,” she says.
In the new restaurant, the chefs plan to serve the traditional Brazilian barbecue, plus other typical dishes, such as Espírito Santo state-style and Bahia state-style moquecas (Brazilian fish stew), rice, beans, salads, escondidinho de carne seca (sun dried-beef and cheese pie with a manioc mash topping), chicken sausage, rump steak and steak. The dessert menu includes dishes such as brigadeiro (truffle-like sweets), coffee sweet, goiabada (guava jelly), mousses, coconut sweet, and papaya and avocado ice creams.
To ensure everything have an original taste, they are importing many foodstuffs from Brazil. “We are bringing a little of everything: meats, fruits, manioc flour, palm oil, açaí berry. We won’t have a fixed menu, it will vary based on seasons,” explains the chef.
The restaurant, named after the sibling’s mother, will seat 50 people and is located in the Al-Rabiah neighborhood. Daniela and Alessandro’s sister, Ivana Panizzi, is the Brazilian ambassadress in Jordan. Initially, the place will open for happy hour and dinner. Later, it will open for lunch.
Another idea of the Brazilian chefs is to promote Brazilian products in Jordan. Daniela says that the pair is open to negotiate with Brazilian companies that are interested to have their products used and promoted by the restaurant.
Contact info
Nena Brazilian Bistro & Grill
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nenabistro
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani