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Brazilian football fans celebrate the team's win in the opening match.
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The night offered more to cheer about as the "home team" ultimately swatted Croatia 3-1. A lively Latin band inspired plenty of pre-game dancing, and there was a performance by Capoeira Mandinga Beijing, which practices the smooth combination of martial arts and dance that originated with African slaves in Brazil.
Soccer fans snacked on some yummy tapas as the staff rushed to accommodate the overflowing crowd, but there wasn't really a chance to explore the contemporary Spanish cuisine of executive chef Aitor Olabegoya of Barcelona, which has earned local food awards for three years running. "Obviously, we are taking advantage of the World Cup to promote something beyond football," Valdemar Leao, Brazilian ambassador to China, told the crowd.
"Brazil is a country with diverse culture, food and beautiful scenery. The northwest has more people of indigenous extraction, while the east coast has more of a cultural mixture, including those of African, indigenous and European descent. I think people visiting Brazil will be completely immersed in that unique, rich diversity."
If you didn't get to that World Cup party, there's no need to despair: It's a long tournament, and restaurants and bars in every city in China have food and drink specials going for the World Cup. Check online entertainment listings for a party with the flavors of your favorite team.
Raymond Zhou:
Pauline D Loh:
Hot Pot
Eco China
China Dream
China Face
