Personal chef Mark Tafoya knows good food.  One of the founders of the Culinary Media Network, Tafoya is always in search of authentic culinary experiences across the globe — and within his home of New York City.

“I truly believe in what I call ‘the diplomacy of the dish,’” he says.  “My philosophy is all about exploring the world using all five senses.  And I think enjoying the local dishes is the best way to get a true cultural understanding of a place.”

When I first asked him to tell me about a favorite restaurant in New York, he hesitated.  “People ask me all the time about a favorite restaurant.  And I don’t have a favorite as in a restaurant that I endorse above all others,” he said.  “There are plenty of great restaurants here.  But I love good, really authentic ethnic restaurants that serve great regional cuisine.”

And in that vein, he recommends Rice ‘n’ Beans, a little hole-in-the-wall Brazilian eatery in Hell’s Kitchen that serves great, authentic food.

“It’s a little restaurant, seats max maybe 20, and you’re all shoved up against each other,” he says.  “It’s been there forever and it might not show up on any ‘best of’ lists.  But a lot of Brazilian people eat there.  Probably because it serves great, basic Brazilian food.”

Tafoya says that a restaurant like Rice ‘n’ Beans encapsulates his whole idea of “the diplomacy of the dish.”  You won’t find fancy food at this place but the authentic food you do find, including paja cajo, Bahian shrimp and Brazilian Xingu Porter, can offer some great insight into the Brazilian culture.

“I’ve always said that the way in to any culture is through the tummy,” he says.  “If you really want to get to know a culture and its people, the best way is to do it through taste.”

———-

Rice ‘n’ Beans
744 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Tel: 212.265.4444

Hours:
Monday through Thursday, 11:00am-10:00pm
Friday and Saturday, 11:00am-11:00pm
Sunday, 1:00pm-9:00pm

pixelstats trackingpixel