Performance does not match the ranking: Restaurant Cuco Bistrô (2. February 2016)
The Cuco Bistrô is number 4 of the city on TripAdvisor. And while the price performance ratio is outstanding, I do not entirely get why. I went for the menu (49.90 BRL) and chose “atum curado com acaçá defumado e crocante de arroz vermelho (atum curado em azeite de oliva com acaçá salgado de milho branco e croncante de arroz vermelho)” as a starter. While the dish looked nice you could also immediately see that the tuna was totally overcooked. A pity, as else the combination of flavours would have been interesting.
The “Carne do sol com natas, creme de mangalô e arroz de carreteiro (carne do sol em cubos com natas, creme de mangalô e arroz de carreteiro)” on the other hand did not look too appealing but the carne do sol in the puff pastry was actually absolutely delicious. The meat was seasoned perfectly, quite strong, but great in combination with the creme and the rice. The crunchiness of the dough added its part to the dish to make it really interesting.
The “dessert of the day” was “Caju Cake” which looked heavy – and it was. But it was also very interesting and delicious. A proper sin!
The head waiter approached us shortly after we had been given the menu to ask us if we needed help with the translation which we denied. And he took up the order of “one maracuja juice”. A bit later we placed the whole order including the other beverages (i.e. Agua Mineral com gaz, 5.00 BRL; Caju com limao siciliano, 0,3L, 10.00 BRL) and both drinks were brought. But not the “maracuja juice”. Well, again, the head waiter messed up and did not manage to execute the order.
As this was the second time (at two different restaurants) the head waiter messed up: Why don’t you guys just focus on whatever it is you usually do and let the waiter do their job? Because our actual waiter who did serve us after the initial approach by the head waiter did a great job. Friendly, dedicated, kind!
Overall, the Cuco Bistrô is nice but overrated in my personal view. Yes, you get good dishes and the price is more than fair. However, the food is not that great and the service failed to some degree (respectively the head waiter). Although it is conveniently located next to the Pelourinho, I would not go again.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Cuco Bistrô
Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco 70
Pelourinho
40020-280 Salvador (BR)
Tel.: +55 71 33 21 87 06
Tel.: +55 71 33 21 87 22
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
