Pão de Açúcar

Ah, como eu queria que essa filial do Pão de Acúcar estivesse localizada em Copacabana… grande, espaçosa, limpa, e com uma variedade de produtos muito maior do que as irmãs do bairro vizinho, essa loja é nitidamente superior. Na hora de pagar, numa quinta-​feira à noite, nada de fila — a gente mal consegue acreditar!
Há de se dizer que não encontrei morango, lichia, angostura ou camarão fresco e limpo em um mercado deste tamanho, o que me faz tirar uma estrela. Tirando isso, não tenho do que reclamar. Solicitamos entrega e ela foi rápida e indolor. É claro que a melhor loja da rede tinha que estar localizada no bairro mais caro da cidade, mas #ficaadica para os donos da rede: os moradores da cidade inteira merece lojas desse padrão!

This is the fancy version of this chain store with a huge selection of everything. It starts out with a variety of flowers (potted and fresh cut) along the left wall as you enter, behind the cash registers and fresh fruit and vegetables to the right. The elevators got the underground parking are also on this side. Then they have a lanchonete, with a selection of meals at the café (take-​home sushi, sandwiches, tapiocas, etc) and a few bistro tables. They also have a bakery with a lot of beautiful pastries, cakes and delicious breads. Beyond that is the deli with fresh cut and cured meats and cheeses.
They carry an impressive selection of wines and beers. They also have a seafood section and BBQ section and a huge array of spices. Pretty much anything you might need, you can find here. It’s a very impressive, well kept store.

Huge grocery store that offers much more than the standard Zona Sul or Hortifruti. For someone from th United States, this is much more along the lines of what you would expect from a Safeway, Giant, or Food Lion back home. The store also has its own sushi bar, pizza place, and bakery in case you’re looking for a bite to eat.
On this particular trip we were looking for birthday cakes and there was a rather large selection. Maybe it was because we were so close to the weekend, but there were no fewer than 10 different types of cakes ready for purchase. They will also add writing to the cakes if you give them a day in advance. Even though we didn’t make the purchase with enough advance time to ge the writing done, the employee was very friendly and offered some alternative for us.
The only downside is that you can expect a line at checkout regardless of day or time. Other than that, I recommend applying for a client card and checking this place out.

Huzzah! I’ve visited Zona Sul and Hortifruti but I have to say, Pao de Acucar takes the cake when it comes to grocery stores. Great selection of green veggies/​fruit, meats and cheeses, kitchen wares, vodka, sodas, Havaianas… talk about one stop shopping! (Though I have to admit that prices were higher than other stores.) There’s also a section near the front with a sushi counter, bakery and a café serving sandwiches and pizza along with other ready to eat items.
Now can anyone tell me how to cut up a maracuja?