Café Pão de Mel - Poços de Caldas

Our Favourite Coffee Shop in Poços de Caldas

Whenever we go to Poços de Caldas we try to arrange a visit here for coffee, soft drinks, a sandwich and sweets.





They have the best cakes in the region. This was very delicious. Mmmmmmmmmm.




A tempting Strawberry masterpiece. They are hard to resists.




They have an assortment of delicious "salty" things too. In Brasil it is either Salty or Sweet.







They have a limited but superb supply of sandwiches. This is a ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwich on pita bread. We tried to duplicate it at home. As simple as it is we just couldn't get it the same.





Here is one of my favourites. That little choclate is called "Bom Bom de Nozes". It is a delicious choclate with a nut (Nozes) on top .





This is the Famous "Pão de Mel". It means Bread with Honey and is covered in choclate. We have never found a better one anywhere else. This is simply the Best in Brasil.!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMM





Some famous people stop here for a coffee and a sweet. Here we see the "World Famous Urso Branco" getting a shoe shine while his daughter, Lucia, watches.



This is the favourite coffee house of a group of retired business men in Poços de Caldas. They have up to 12 Old Pals that gather there every Thursday for Coffee and Companionship.


We enjoy this shop because of the friendly and courteous staff, the fine food and the central location in downtown Poços de Caldas.



Photos by Urso Branco

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Pousada, Pesqueiro e Restaurante Progresso

Fish along the Highway

There is a marvelous eatery along the rodovia to São João da Boa Vista. It is a working farm with a fishing hole, a restaurant and pousada (motel).

As you drive along watch for this sign on the east side of the highway.




Turn in here.




You come in along that road under the trees.



As you drive through the farm you come to this sign. The pousada is on the right and all the other attractions are straight ahead.




Here come Judy and Urso Branco up to the restaurant.




The whole place has several intersting buildings.




There is the fishing pond in front of the restaurant.




I like the rustic benches they have.




This hut is at the end of a small walkway out over the pond.




You can just make out people fishing across the pond.




Inside there is a salad bar.




The main course is here.




They have a modest selection of local wines.




The bar is fairly big.




They can seta a large crowd in this room.





We arrived a little late so we didn't need to line up.




Judy selects her food. Notice she is accompanied by a little helper.




The main course was a choice of chicken, beef, rice and veggies. Simple country fare but very delicious.




Now this is just like home. Dogs! Look under the table.




From the small hut out over the pond looking back at the restaurant.




Look at the family fishing under the restaurant, in the shade.




They even have a dance hall off to the side.





You can see people fishing on the far side of the pond. You can have your catch cooked up for you if you wish.



The view of the mountains.




Another of those intersting benches.




There is a ramp up to the second floor, over the restaurant.




This is a hall that can be rented out for conferences or other events.




There are dances held here on Saturdays.




A variation on those benches.




This is the pousada back near the entrance.




Someone has a sense of humour or just a need, The sign says Little Goat House whereas there is a calf in it. As I said. this is a working farm.


This is another "Must See" when you visit the vicinity of São João da Boa Vista/Águas da Prata.

For more information about these facilities go to the Progresso website or telephone them at (19)3623-1990.


Photos by Urso Branco

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Café Galeria

A Luxury Coffee House in Poços de Caldas

This a Coffee House in Poços de Caldas that is both luxurious and historic. It was built in 1894, one of three houses built for three sisters. This one has since been acquired by a bank, restored as an Art Gallery and Coffee Shop. There is also a cinema in the basement. The predominent colours are blue and white.


Two of the houses were built the same. This one is only a block away and the predominant colours are red and white but the architecture is identical. It is still occupied by descendants of the original owner.


The original third house was not the same as the other two because that sister was handicapped and could not climb stairs. So it was only one story high and it has since been torn down and replaced by a modern style home.


This is the uninteresting entrance to the gallery on the street behind the Café Galeria.



When you go through the gallery you come to the entrance to this beautiful old house.




The patio.




The gardens are lovely even in winter. These are two bushes of extremely rare Pink Camelias, planted there when the house was built.




These two Pink Camelias are on the patio.




This bush has two colours of flower on it.




Here is a close up. It is called manaca.




There are a few beautiful Bird of Paradise around the property.



The architecture is marvellous. Notice the fine iron work on the door. Above the door is the year the house was built. In the middle of the door are the initials of the three sisters.




When they restored the door on this house they liked it so much they recreated life size duplicates on either side the original door.




Here is what the other house door looks like. The iron work is identical to the Blue House.




This is one of the original hardwood floors from 1894.




The ceiling is all original, except for the gallery lights, of course.




All the doors and windows are original or very painstakingly restored.




Most rooms in the house are used as an art gallery. Some have tables and chairs for coffee.




Judy had a cappuccino and I had a regular coffee. This certainly isn't a Canadian Coffee House. Look how tiny the classic cups are. *SMILE* They are called cafézinho or diminuitive cups.




They have a simple but classic menu.




The prices are much the same as regular coffee houses. But some of the items on the list are rare classics in linw with the tone of the entire coffe house.




These are special cheese buns (pão de queijo) served with jams or honey. Very delicious!




We went back out through the main gallery. It is quite large. There was a special show on with all black and white photographs.




These two photos were a sad commentary on the days only half a century ago when children worked in the coal mines.





If you come to Poços de Caldas this is a "Must See" on your list. The food and coffees are wonderful and the service is elegant.


Photos by Urso Branco

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Restaurante Prata

In Town Dining in Águas da Prata

"Come to taste the best home cooked food and appreciate the wonderful landscape that only Águas da Prata has to offer"

Food by kilo - Self Service - Marmitex -
Take-Out - Drinks in general

This Restaurante Prata is in the heart of Águas da Prata, near the train station on the main highway to Campinas and Poços de Caldas. Therefore there is a lot of traffic passing by all the time. Truckers call ahead and have them prepare lunch to be picked up as they pass by.




The parking lot is small and sometimes difficult to get out of when traffic is heavy. We parked here this day.




Judy walks towards the front door.





The building is long and narrow.




It curves around the corner towarsds the train tracks.






It is a very popular restaurant with excellent food. We eat here often.




The food is at the far end in self serve tables.




The steam table is large with a variety of choices of delicious Brasilian dishes.




The food changes little so you always know what to expect.




You can take as much as you want of whatever you want as often as you want.




But, then you take your plate to this Senhora and she weighs it and bills you per kilo.





You can see her in this photo filling an order for someone who called in.





The dessert table has a variety if very sweet dishes. This is sweet potato candy.





This is milk candy.





This is peanut candy.




This is a light milk pudding in syrup.





This is a popular dish, milk cream.





This photo finaly reveals a secret. Have you every wondered where Santa Claus went in the summer (in Canada)? He was seen here in the kitchen. Now I know!




There is a large bar for those who like a drink.




There is seating for about 70 people in the restaurant.



This is an outdoor patio. It seems like a good idea however with all the heavy truck, bus and car traffic it actually is an unpleasant place to sit so they no longer use it.




Here is Judy paying the bill. The food is quite economical. It usually costs us about $R20,00 for the two of us. That is about Cdn$10.00.



Whenever we want a break from the daily routine we just come here and enjoy a good meal. The Restaurante Prata is only six blocks from our home.




Photos by Urso Branco

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Restaurante Arvorismo

Country Dining in Águas da Prata

A few kilometers outside the town there is a delightful restaurant in the forest called Caminho da Serra or more familiarly, Arvorismo. It is a restaurant and an outdoor sport center with young people riding the wires from tree to tree. They also have a well stocked fishing pond that the kids love.


The restaurant is nestled in a sylvan setting beside a quiet lake.





It is a pleasant restaurant with home-made cooking on a wood stove.




The locale is quite beautiful.




Dining beside the lake is a wonderful experience.




The serving staff are courteous and helpful.




The chef is excellent and cooks your food as it is ordered.




The chef, Rodriguez, hard at work grilling beef and pork.




The salad bar.




The salad bar again.




Egg plant with onions and zuccini.




Broccoli, fried sweet potatoes.




Flour mix and fried bacon rinds.



For dessert there was a choice of a sweet banana dish with cheese, or jello or fruit salad.


Urso Branco enjoyed a tiny Brasilian coffee. *SMILE*



The outdoor Sport Adventure part of the visit.




As we are dining the young people ride the wire out of the forest, over the lake past the diners.




This looks like quite an adventure. If only I was 30 years younger . . . . . . .




This young girl came flying out of the forest.




But she was not heavy enough to reach the end so she had to pull herself to the finish.




When she reached the end she had to walk across this bridge.




Our guest, Diana Pereira outfitted to ride the wire.




They have a similar experience for kids. Here they are getting ready.




The sister and brother are ready to fly. Notice the safety gear. Everything is done safely here.




They climb the tower with an attendant to guide them. He hooks them to the wire.




First, the young girl comes flying down the wire.




A man is waiting at the end to unhoook her.




Then her brother flies down the wire.




He now must be unhooked.




Look at the happy smile on the flyer as Dad and the attendant unhook him.




We went back another day with the Grandkids. Marilim, the proprietor, watches the preparations.




Three year old Felipe is ready to fly! He has more courage than I do!





Alexandre, Carolina and Felipe are all ready to fly!



Carolina, 7 years old, flies down the wire.





Alexandre, 6 Year old, had a great ride too.



The star for the day was Felipe, 3 years old!


This is a fabuolous experience for the kids. The really love this place.

They have a well stocked pond for visitors for fishing. The young folks are thrilled with it.




They even catch good sized fish.




How exciting! Ricardo holds up the fish the kid caught.




This is the Arvorismo tour buggy. Nice eh?



Arvorismo also has Trekking tours, to the train tunnel, to seven waterfalls plus other interesting outdoor activities.

Arvorismo is a fine dining experience and a great adventure locale. Future plans include a pousada. They are open on the weekends and holidays. For more information about the adventure and to visit their website, click their logo.



They are located off Rodovia Adhemer de Barros (SP 342) at Km 243, Águas da Prata, SP, Brasil. Telephone: (19) 3642-2794 or (35) 9977-1982.

You can call about adventure schedules, reservations and rates or send an email to:

atendimento@caminhodaserra.com.br



Photos by Urso Branco

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