About us
This is our story: Décio—a Portuguese man who, unfortunately, is no longer with us and I a Brazilian, decided to create this group in November 2007 at the "Empire Café," a restaurant on Westheimer Street, near Montrose. The group's objective was to provide opportunities for Portuguese speakers from Brazil and other parts of the world (including Portugal, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau). We held our first gathering at the Carioca Brazilian Restaurant on 8811 Synott Rd. (which no longer exists). In April 2008, we began meeting at the venue then known as Empório Brazilian Cafe. In 2020, the pandemic struck, and we were unable to meet in person for some time. In an effort to keep the group alive, we launched online activities, sharing videos featuring places such as museums and musical performances, including a concert by Fábio Jr. In 2021, we decided to dissolve the group. However, maintaining an active page on Meetup.com requires paying an annual fee, and we found it impossible to cover this financial obligation since we could not meet in person. It was then that Lucien, a great friend, stepped forward and offered to cover the costs and coordinate the group to the best of his ability, with some assistance. Throughout that period, under Lucien's leadership, we successfully promoted the group at various venues hosting events organized by the Brazilian community, though primarily at Empório (now Empório Brazilian Grill), as that location was most accessible to everyone, thanks to its atmosphere (both Brazilian and Portuguese), as well as its food and music.
Today, I am returning as the official organizer, starting May 15th, with our regular gathering at Empório, filled with joy and the beautiful music of Bruno.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout these years; without you, this group would not exist.
Warm regards,
Vera
Upcoming events
1
"Houston's First October Portuguese Meetup!"
Emporio Brazilian Grill, 12288 Westheimer Rd #210A, Houston, TX 77077, USA, Houston, TX, USHello everyone!
Next month, we’ll be celebrating another anniversary (19 years!). Many people enjoy our meetups, but keeping an active page on Meetup.com requires the organizer (me) to pay an annual fee charged by the platform itself. I have been covering these expenses on my own, and as a community, I would love to count on your kind support. Some have already made generous contributions (Herbert Jr., Teresa Leiserowitz, and Sharon & Garry), and I am eternally grateful to them. The suggested contribution is around $12 per person. That works out to just $1 a month for a year—a reasonably low amount that I believe is within everyone's reach. Ideally, we would exceed this goal and raise enough to cover costs for the next five years. Here is the donation link: https://www.meetup.com/brazilians-140/ Please contribute to show your support for the continued success of our group.Today, I would love to see you all again at our first Portuguese language gathering of the month, which will be at the same location: Emporio Brazilian Grill. For those who don't know it, it’s a very traditional Brazilian restaurant in Houston. The food is exactly like what real Brazilians eat at home. Emporio makes you feel like you're in Brazil, right in a family home: *pastéis* (fried pastries), *pão de queijo* (cheese bread), *feijoada* with *farofa*, *bacalhoada* (codfish stew), stroganoff, and much more. You’ll have the chance to try Guaraná (a Brazilian soda) and *caipirinha*, the national cocktail.
Emporio usually features live music to liven up the evening. We’ll have the opportunity to listen to authentic Brazilian music performed by the well-known Bruno Santana.
Come join us to enjoy the music, conversation, food, and the company of Portuguese speakers, a unique experience that, we guarantee, you won't want to miss!
If you arrive early, the restaurant staff is already familiar with the group and will point you in the right direction; just ask for the "Portuguese Meetup."
Feel free to introduce yourself and your friend to them! Come share in the spirit of our connected global minds!
We hope to see everyone on Friday, October 9th.
Best regards!!!!!!
Vera4 attendees
Past events
500
