Even the pigeons of Copacabana know that Galeto Sat’s – the old, ugly botequim located on the first block of Barata Ribeiro Street – has become one of Rio’s most important bohemian institutions since it was acquired by the Rabello family 10 years ago.
The new owners changed the spirit of the bar, making it a hit – especially for those who love to eat and drink well, all night long. Even Anthony Bourdain turned the spotlight on this place for his TV show, “No Reservations.” The one problem that remained, however, was its size. Because the bar is very small – just 30 seats – it’s always crowded. Eating and drinking on the sidewalks actually became part of the fun, but sometimes it could be a little uncomfortable, and this issue was causing some customers to avoid the place. But not any more.
That’s because two months ago Galeto Sat’s opened its first branch, in Botafogo, just two miles away from the original. The new bar has everything the old one doesn’t: space. Located in a beautiful two-story colonial building, the new location offers more than 110 seats. The menu is the same: galeto (tender roasted three-month-old chicken served with an orange, lemon or garlic sauce), perfectly seasoned chicken hearts, different cuts of meat, the most amazing garlic bread in town and excellent farofa de ovo (eggs mixed with manioc flour). Galeto Sat’s also has the best cachaça menu in Rio, with more than 120 brands available.
The new branch of Galeto Sat’s opens at noon and closes at 6 a.m. every day. Sometimes, when customers are too persistent, the bar stays open as late as 8 a.m. When that happens, you can be sure that the owner, Sergio Rabello, is leading the charge. “I have a commitment to the night owls and the heavy drinkers. I feel it’s my mission on Earth,” he usually says, laughing out loud.
Rabello, his wife, Elaine, and their sons, Raoni and Rafaela, usually shared responsibilities for the original Galeto Sat’s. Now, Elaine and Rafaela usually stay in Copacabana; Rabello and Raoni have been managing the Botafogo branch. Sergio, of course, does the night shift and became, himself, one of the main draws.
“Every night some customers call to see if I will be there until late,” he told us. “They really like to have me around.” Besides being a thoroughly amusing conversationalist, Rabello is one of the most respected cachacistas in town. He and his wife are members of the Confraria do Copo Furado (which translates to something like the “Punctured Glass Club”), one of the most traditional groups of cachaça experts in Brazil. The couple loves to share their knowledge with customers, so any given night can be an unforgettable education in cachaça, its history, flavors and origins.
But of course, the main reason to come is the galeto and other excellent specialties, which you can only find at Galeto Sat’s – but at least now there are two of them.
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