For today’s interactive feature, the question is: What’s your favorite Brazilian restaurant in the U.S.?
Though there are now quite a few excellent Brazilian restaurants in New York, like Porcão and Plataforma, my personal favorite is Fogo do Chão. Fogo has a fantastic meat rodizio and a huge salad bar in a very luxurious setting. I’ve been to the DC branch, but they also have locations throughout the U.S., including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, amongst others.
What about you?
This week, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the U.S. government plans to invest US$2 billion in Petrobras, Brazil’s state-run oil company. It is the largest company headquartered in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest company in Latin America in terms of revenue. Its assets, which include oil assets in Brazil and 18 other countries, amounts to $133.5 billion.
The investment, which is in fact a loan, is to help Petrobras explore the Tupi basin off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, which could potentially make Brazil one of the world’s biggest oil powers. The investment will go towards offshore drilling activities to take place over the next several years.
According to the article, a preliminary commitment of $2 billion is on the table, though that amount may increase. However, some experts are scratching their heads about the idea of a loan from the ailing U.S. Treasury to cash-rich Petrobras.
Also this week, the New York Times reported that the Brazilian government is seeking more control over Petrobras in an effort to prevent foreign influence and to ensure national control over the Tupi oil field. However, the reform plan, which is being promoted by President Lula, faces strong opposition in Congress.
At this week’s G-8 summit in Italy, President Lula of Brazil gave President Obama an official Brazil soccer jersey signed by members of the national team.
The signatures included those of “Edmílson, Gomes, Lúcio, Vágner Love, Daniel Carvalho, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Elano, Robinho, Júlio Baptista, Alex and Dida.”
President Lula also teased President Obama about the US team’s 3-2 loss to Brazil last week, chanting “Yes, we can” several times. Obama joked about the game and took the teasing lightly, making a sad face while holding up the shirt to show his disappointment in the US loss. Lula also gave the same signed shirts to members of the G-5 earlier in the week.
Though the world economic crisis has wrecked havoc around the world, one of the positive effects has been the sharp decline in airfares to Brazil. In addition, Azul Airlines recently began operating in Brazil and now offers very competitive fares within the country. If you live in the US and want to travel to Brazil, now is the time to go! It’s also low season, so prices for accommodations are cheaper.
Here are some tips for finding the cheapest tickets to and around Brazil:
