Lasai — Restaurant in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

Visited in July 2024. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. Lasai, boasting two Michelin stars is an intimate affair, seating just ten diners at a chef's table. This format allows guests to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, a delightful spectacle for those fascinated by the intricacies of fine dining.

Food: The tasting menu, featuring nine amuse-bouches, three main courses and three desserts, The restaurant places a strong emphasis on local vegetables and flavors, so don't be surprised by the abundance of vegetarian amuse-bouches. While we're not ardent fans of vegetarian cuisine, we thought a two-Michelin-starred establishment would surely be able to conjure something truly phenomenal from roots and vegetables. While we were initially impressed by the vibrantly fresh salad served in crisp, airy chips, the subsequent dishes failed to maintain the same level of excitement.

A recurring theme throughout the appetizers was a regular use of crackers – dense, dry, and often overshadowing the delicate vegetables they were meant to accompany. The lack of seasoning was another notable issue, with many dishes tasting bland and lacking depth. Despite the focus on vegetables, a surprisingly heavy, oily aftertaste lingered in the mouth due to deep-fried given the lightness expected from a vegetable-centric menu. The proteins included in the appetizers were largely unnoticeable, further highlighting the lack of depth in the overall flavour profile.

The main courses, comprising a vegetarian option, fish, and meat, showcased technical skill, with beautifully presented dishes. The vegetarian dish, featuring broccoli, kale, and cress, was unremarkable, lacking the necessary saltiness to elevate it beyond a standard side dish. The fish was adequately cooked but lacked tenderness and lacked the expected vibrancy of flavour, while the accompanying vegetables were pleasant. The meat, braised short ribs, though tender, tasted like canned meat, lacking the grilled, smoky meat flavour.

Thankfully, the dessert course offered a glimmer of hope. The rhubarb mousse with yoghurt was an absolute triumph, a refreshingly light and tangy creation with perfectly balanced sweetness. The açai with ricotta was also pleasing.

Service: The service, however, was exemplary. Given the intimate setting and the carefully choreographed sequence of courses, everything ran smoothly, and the staff, some of whom spoke English, provided helpful information about the restaurant's concept and the dishes.

In conclusion: For a two-star Michelin establishment, Lasai is a considerable disappointment. While we don’t mind the emphasis on vegetables, the overall experience was lackluster. The dishes lacked the nuanced flavour profiles, they didn’t stand out. For those seeking a truly memorable culinary experience, especially non-vegetarians, we suggest exploring other establishments in Rio that offer similar...

At Lasai, we were transported to another realm outside of time and the pressures and stress of reality. We were warmly greeted by the valet outside who rang the bell for us and greeted by a friendly member of the Lasai team, who led us to our seats and presented us with the beverage list. The hospitality literally began before we entered. This theme was a wonderful constant throughout our experience. Everyone there has this incredible ability to be mindful about your comfort, needs, and service while remaining relaxed and attentive to their tasks and roles for the night. I recommend arriving a little early just to observe the last steps of setup- the ovens are tuned, characters emerge, a basket of vegetables from their farm is placed on the counter and you can enjoy a cocktail. It is true theater. As our fellow diners arrived and service commenced, the chefs appeared, and our culinary journey began. 8 composed bites are presented in well-timed succession on beautifully crafted ceramic pieces, each bite an original composition. We selected a bottle of native 11:11 Sauvignon Blanc from Brazil that was recommended to us. The tasting notes truly aligned with the lead server's description, and it did complement and elevate every bite. The mains were outstanding, as well as the desserts. We received a very special dessert, as we were celebrating a special event, and to our delight, our fellow diners were also treated to this surprise. I do not want to spoil your surprise, but we were treated to a splendid array of ingredients, flavors, textures, colors, techniques and preparations that highlighted the homegrown produce while embracing the local proteins and accompaniments. Coordination, timing, precision that was well practiced and easy, not machine like, overly rehearsed or regimented. Service and plating unfolded organically, naturally. The ambience was delightful. Upscale and elevated. Lighting, comfort, style, and aesthetics are all thoughtfully balanced and configured in this warmly curated space. Thank you for a blissful time that exceeded any and every...

A must visit!!! I came across Lasai after researching fine dining restaurants in RIO for my sisters birthday trip. The whole experience from beginning to end was incredible. You pre-pay in advance and non-alcoholic drinks are included. They also ask for any dietary restrictions or food allergies in advance. They seat 10 guests each night and the day of they messaged me to confirm again about any food allergies /restrictions or special requests. We have a dairy restriction and they accommodated all meals for us on the day and also prepared a mini treat with a candle for my sister, which I greatly appreciated. Once everyone is seated, they begin and explained everything in English for those of us that don’t speak Portuguese. The food was absolutely delicious and amazing value for what you’re getting. We enjoyed 9 appetizers, 2 main entrees and 2 amazing deserts. I highly recommend this amazing restaurant for anyone looking for a unique, fun experience with impeccable service. We also received a mini chocolate treat with a list of all the ingredients used for each dish. I will definitely come here again the next time I visit...