Mocoto

Av. Nossa Senhora do Loreto, 1100

Vila Medeiros

11-6951-3056

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Named for its locally known bone marrow soup, rustic-like restaurant in outskirts of city has gained obsessive following that gets 0-to-60 giddy when discussing eatery’s homestyle food from northeastern Pernambuco state: crisp tapioca squares, cassava puree with cheese and embedded bits of carne seca, and chocolate mousse made with cachaça liquor. Hundreds who make the trek from city center quickly line up and down the block at opening time in what looks like a flash mob; various dining halls decorated with mustard walls and hand-carved signage and figurines of countryside stereotypes accommodate massive crowd. Jolly atmosphere is likely made all the more with 340 types of cachaca available, and raw sugar blocks—specialty of the north—called rapadura wrapped to bring home helps continue the food high. Photos: Phuong-Cac Nguyen