Picanha Mania: A true successful history behind the mania which gained the city.

Manaus is located in the Amazon Rainforest and it is surrounded by large rivers (Negro and Solimes), because of this it is known by its natural beauty and for its different kinds of species of fishes. Although, in my opinion, fish is not the most consumed dish in the city, whether be for the high prices or for a cultural and social changing which is happening since the end of the 19th century, when the city passed through the Rubber Boom. During this period, Manaus received immigrants from all parts of the country, largely from the Northeast. Later, in the 60s, Manaus had another boom called Manaus Free Trade Zone, which provided other cultural and social transformations in the city when people from different places (even the world) came to Manaus to work or to look for a job. In fact, Manaus has been losing its original identity since the Manaos Indians, who had lived in this area, were colonized by the Europeans. Sure that all these mentioned transformations changed the Manauaras1 taste. One of those that came to Manaus searching the better opportunities was The Lima Family, and as many, they got what they wanted with hard work. One day, after working in different jobs and business, The Limas started a small business selling pastel in a tent called Pastel Mania. Their first tent was opened in the garage of The Lima family, in the same street I live, in the Alvorada neighborhood, and it is still working. They offer different kinds of pastels, like Pizza, Lasagna, sweet pastels with banana with cinnamon sugar, and others. The success of the pastels was big enough that they opened other tents in D. Pedro and Gloria. The Lima Familys son managed the tents and the parents made the pastels. They also sell coxinha (minced chicken), ovo coberto (egg), croquete (ground meat), which are kinds of snack wrapped in a wheat batter.

1 Manauara Who was born in Manaus City.

The Lima Family had an old dream, a restaurant. To achieve it, they studied the local business and did research, so they realized what they already knew, that meat is the favorite food for many Brazilians. Having this in mind, The Lima Family, driven by a dream shared by all members, decided to invest in the business of barbecue with a new concept of steaming picanha (top sirloin carp), including differentiated quality and services. So, in November 2005 was opened the first Picanha Mania restaurant in the Constantino Nery Avenue, one of the busiest avenues of the city. It was a simple place which served a good steaming picanha, as well as the best price, with side dishes, usually, rice with broccoli, mayonnaise salad, vinaigrette and farofa (manioc flour). Later, they increased the menu with other options, like: other meat, different salads, more side dishes, desserts, special drinks and appetizers. In 2009, Picanha Mania was a big and renowned restaurant in Manaus with commercials on TV and radio. The company opened another restaurant at downtown with a new concept of excellence standard, and a unit at Manaura Shopping Center, which brought a novelty, Express Dishes. Today the company has 7 units in Manaus, and it will open another one soon. Besides, Picanha Mania has event halls, toy room, delivery services and free shuttle service for companies and hotels, even do events at home, companies, farms or wherever you want. I personally have good memories from this restaurant. Years ago, every Sunday I used to lunch there with friends, generally after we had come from a beach or club. One
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funny memory was the day we left the restaurant without paying, because the bill took so long to come. We were waiting it for about 30 minutes, and a friend decided to leave, she got up and just went out. We were looking at each other, and then one by one got up and left the restaurant. This day my heart almost left my body, but we were tired of waiting another 30 minutes for the bill. Today, the restaurant is more structured than before, and this kind of thing will not happen again. I came back to celebrate other achievements and because I identify myself with the place, I will return many other times.

Review Picanha Mania is one of the best restaurants to go with family or friends to have a good time or to celebrate something. At the restaurant, you can choose between airconditioned halls or not, as Manaus is a warm city, it is preferred to stay at the first one. Upon arriving, the receptionist promptly leads you to a table. On Sundays, you usually have to wait a while, because the restaurant is often crowded. The tables are very comfortable, and if you need, they can put them together so that everyone can sit at the table. Like appetizer, you can order bread with garlic sauce (R$ 3.00), baked curd cheese (R$ 5.00), a chicken sausage with lemons (R$ 7.00) or even a salad. The main dish is the steaming picanha (R$ 8,00/100g) with Mania 1 (R$ 18,00), which is a side dish with rice and broccoli, mayonnaise salad, vinaigrette and farofa (manioc flour). If you order 300 grams of picanha and a Mania 1, be sure that 3 people will be fully satisfied. Many costumers add French fries (R$ 8.00) to the order. There are different kinds of main dishes (Pork Picanha, Tuscany or Chicken Sausage, Little Chicken, Chest, Pork Ribs and Chickens Heart) and side dishes
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(Mashed Potatoes, White Rice, Dried Meat Flour, Baked Celery, and other) that you pay an extra of R$ 4.00 for each one. The order do not take so long to arrive at the table, it is really fast. Because of this, if you like to drink something before you eat you must notify the waiter that you will order your lunch or dinner later. Talking about drinks, Picanha Mania has a good wine list and some cocktails (Fruits Cocktail, Pia Colada and Sangria). The cost of a bottle of wine is between R$ 30.00 and R$ 100.00, and the cocktails are between R$ 8.00 and R$ 12.00. They also have sodas and fruit juices which people often ask before. And finally, at the end of the meal, they will always show you the desserts menu. Petit Gateau (R$ 15.90), Strawberry with Chantilly (R$ 9.50), Pineapple in Syrup (R$ 11.90), and my preferred one, little pies of many tastes: chocolate, cupuau, crme, passion fruit (R$ 5.00). Picanha Mania is a restaurant that gains you: by the taste of the food, by the warm way welcomes you, by the price they practice, or just to be one charming, fancy and at the same time popular place, to have a great time.

Units: Constantino Nery

Constantino Nery Avenue, 5103 Flores Operation: Monday: 18:30 to 23:30 h

Tuesday to Friday: Lanch - 11:30 to 15:30 h; and Dinner 18:30 to 23:30 h. Saturday: Lanch - 11:30 to 15:30 h; and Dinner 18:30 to 0 h. Sunday: Lanch - 11:30 to 16 h; and Dinner 18:30 to 23 h.

Downtown

Ramos Ferreira Street, 1684 - Downtown Operation: Monday to Friday: Lunch - 11 to 15 h; Dinner 18:30 to 23 h. Saturday: Lunch 11 to 15:30 h; Dinner 18:30 to 23:30 h Sunday: Lunch 11 to 16 h.

Cultual Center of the Peoples of the Amazon

Francisco Pereira da Silva Square - Crespo Operation: Monday to Saturday: 11 to 21 h. Sunday: 11 to 17 h.

Shopping Centers

Manauara Shopping Mario Ypiranga Street, 1330 F16 Store Operation: Monday to Saturday: 10 to 23 h. Sunday: 12 to 22 h.

Amazonas Shopping Center Djalma Batista Avenue, 482 380 Store Parque 10. Operation: Monday to Saturday: 10 to 22 h. Sunday: 12 to 22 h.

Manaus Plaza Shopping

Djalma Batista Avenue, 2100 342 Store Operation: Monday to Saturday: 10 to 22 h. Sunday: 12 to 20 h.

UAI Shopping Manaus Cosme Ferreira Avenue, 4605 So Jos Operrio Operation: Monday to Saturday: 10 to 22 h. Sunday: 12 to 20 h.

School: Instituto Cultural Brasil Estados Unidos Course: English Class: Advanced 1 (Sat.: 8:30 to 11:30 h) Teacher: Lvia Alencar Student: Ronny Araujo Martins