Botafogo, the in-betweener neighbourhood, making its mark on Rio

"BotaSoho" is what the baseline in a local magazine called the historic district of Rio de Janeiro Botafogo, a few months ago. "No one is called that," laughs resident Andrea Capella. "It's a long way from being Soho, whether in New York or London. But things are changing."

Andrea bought his apartment here for 14 years, but only in the last two or three years the rent and affordable investments have led to a boom in new and interesting places. The only part of the area of ​​most visitors see is animated by Botafogo Beach Street (with stunning views of the Sugar Loaf), on the road between the city center and the most famous beaches in the south .but new restaurants, delicatessens, bookshops, bars, clubs and cultural centers are helping to transform Botafogo in an area worth exploring.

Common features the spirit of some of these young companies: bar, restaurant, showroom and editor in one place without frills. "I think people are tired of expensive lifestyle and elite neighborhoods map of Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon," says co-founder Dudu Quarry.

Andrea agrees. "From the Commune, other initiatives have it open Temple, a space of co-work and Olabi works, programming workshops for children bicycle repair classes, all free."

All is not so disinterested: many bars and cafes charge the kind of prices you can afford in the tourist areas of the city. Imported wines, beers, cocktails and international cuisine are all welcome - but expensive - changing the patterns of cold beer and the rate of fried snacks.

Cave serves burgers and cocktails a rock in the study of a former mechanic. Crazy Cats Bistro is decorated with antiques and trinkets, while French restaurant La Villa has a more elegant look, in a colonial house with two floors. The three have opened in the last 12 months and help Botafogo last gourmand hotspot in town.

Local chief Rafael Costa e Silva chose to open Lasai Botafogo last year after leaving a restaurant with a Michelin star Mugaritz near San Sebastian in the Basque Country. "In the final analysis, Botafogo has chosen us, thank you and God opened here," he said, showing me around the space with high ceilings with its vertical garden and brick cheap rental -. The third Leblon rates - meaning that you can not afford the best place for most organic products for their tasting menus.

Lasai added another half a dozen restaurants in a green road restored colonial mansions avoided the bullet demolition was with many historic buildings in some other areas of Rio de Janeiro. The pioneer was Yes, in 2010, the latest risk owners are looking for!, An elegant restaurant in the basement of Casa Daros-end Guanabara Bay Botafogo, a neoclassical building that was once an orphanage, and reopening last year £ 14,000 .000 after a restore to house the art collection of the Swiss Ruth Schmidheiny millionaire.

Soho could never be, but after decades Botafogo is aimed at people of betweener to stay a while