Vero Suco
R. Sen. Dantas, 76 – Centro
Rio de Janeiro
Vero Suco is a typical Brazilian juice bar – fresh fruit piled on the counter, a somewhat dated 1980s look and a giant menu (and conveniently located just steps from our apartment!) There were also a variety of sandwiches also for sale for less than R$ 10 apiece. They were passable, but the juices and açaí were definitely the stars of the show.
We got an açaí bowl for 8.90, which had 500 mL of açaí . We went two times: the first time the bowl had an excellent taste and texture, but was a little disappointing the second time. Regardless, Vero Suco was the first place in which we were served granola in a side dish. We are used to a small sprinkling of granola or a small granola packet. However, the bowl of granola was a revelation! This way, we can add granola as we see fit, bit by bit. A standard granola package has too little for an entire bowl, and getting it batida (mixed in), while tasty, denies you the visual appeal of fresh granola on top of the purple açaí. This was one of our favorite açaí bowls in Rio so far, and we enjoyed the price and the copious amount of granola.
Value: 4/5. A 500 mL bowl, with free granola, was R$ 8.90.
Taste: 10.5/15. Very good. Tasty, but could have brought out more of the fruitiness in the açaí and other accompanying fruits.
Texture: 7/10. Good. Our first visit was easily 9/10, but our second visit it was too grainy. We worked out an average score here.
Granola: 5/5. Excellent. Served in a separate cup, including two full cashews.
Extras: 4/5. Seating is provided (always a plus), but like all places in Centro, is inside and a little crowded/stifling. This is made up for by the brightly painted walled and extensive fruit decorations. Service is prompt and efficient, but they lose a point for not bringing us two spoons!
TOTAL: 30.5/40
While there, we also decided to try some of Vero Suco’s actual juice offerings. Beyond the more typical juices of abacaxi (pineapple) and maracuja (Passion fruit) we were excited to see beterraba (beet), acerola, graviola and cacau juices. The one that intrigued us the most was cacau, which means “cocoa” in Portuguese. M, of course, upon seeing this on the menu ran up to the counter to order one. We soon found out, however, this is not a chocolate juice. Much like another popular Brazilian juice, Caju (cashew), this juice is from the flesh of a fruit usually harvested for nuts. So cashew juice is from the fruit of the cashew, cocoa juice is from the fruit of the cocoa. The fruit is particularly mild, and doesn’t really taste at all like chocolate.
Eating The World 