The saudade (nostalgia) of the owner of Feitiço Mineiro (CLN, Qd. 306, Bl. 6, Lj. 45–51, tel. 61/3272-3032, noon–3 p.m. and 5:30 onwards Mon.–Fri., noon–5 p.m. and 6 p.m.–close Sat., and noon–5 p.m. Sun., R$20–30) for his home state of Minas Gerais ensures the authenticity of both the homelike decor and the traditional Mineiro fare prepared under the watchful eye of his mother. The lunchtime buffet, displayed upon a wood-burning stove, offers a banquet of typical dishes.

In the evenings, à la carte options include specialties such as costelinha ao velho chico (pork cutlets served with braised kale, manioc, and the thick bean puree known as tutu) and frango ao molho pardo (chicken cooked in a fragrant sauce made from its own blood). At night, the restaurant is one of the hottest tickets in town to catch great live music performances while nibbling on an all-you-can-eat buffet of appetizers.

With a bewitching view of Lago Paranoá, the villa that houses Patú Anu (Setor de Mansões de Lago Norte, ML 12, Cj. 1, Casa 7, tel. 61/3369-2788, www.patuanu.com.br, 8:30 p.m.–1 a.m. Tues.–Sat., 1:30–6 p.m. Sun.) mixes indigenous and Afro-Brazilian artifacts with elegant table settings, candelabras, and displays of tropical flowers. The menu offers a colorful and textured fusion of dishes with significant Amazonian influences and a predilection for exotic game such as javalí (wild boar), jacaré (alligator), and cabybara (the world’s largest—and most delicious—rodent).

On Friday and Saturday nights, live MPB, jazz and blues is performed. If you don’t want a full meal, relax in the lounge or on a veranda and nibble on skewers of jacaré with tangy coalho cheese and pimenta (hot pepper) jelly.