Beijing's Brazilian Flavor

Few events bring the world together like the Olympics, but even now that the Games are over Beijing won't be devoid of international influences any time soon.  Thousands of expats have left their mark throughout the city, and you can find just about any type of restaurant imaginable.  

One of the most popular new restaurants is “Latin Grillhouse,” which serves Brazilian-style beef, complemented by Chinese accents.  The manager, Joao Carlos, says that these restaurants have attracted locals and tourists from all over the world, and they plan to open 30 franchises throughout China.  

Chinese waiters, dressed in full cowboy attire serve an array of meat dishes to patrons, who listen to a Brazilian band.  For the less carnivorous patrons, there’s also a buffet including dishes like pumpkin cakes and fried rice, which you’re probably more likely to find in China than Brazil.  

In any case, the food and ambiance create a winning combination, with many loyal fans, particularly during the Olympics.  Beyond the Latin Grillhouse, Brazil seemed to have an especially strong presence in Beijing, as Rio de Janeiro remains one of the finalists to host the 2016 Games.  

While some see Beijing’s improvements for 2008 as a model for other developing countries, others question whether or not Rio will be up to Olympic standards within the next 10 years.  

Despite the intense infrastructural challenges, the Brazilian culture and passionate fans would make Rio an ideal place to host the world’s most popular sporting event.  Furthermore, it would mark the first time a South American country would host the Olympics.

While we won’t know which country will host the 2016 Games for over a year, you can watch the video to get a small taste of the Brazilian party in Beijing.