La Casserole is where I go when I want to celebrate an important event – closing a new deal, a special meeting with someone... or myself!
It is a gift I give myself once or twice a year; because although it is expensive, the food is totally worth it - and they have the best steak tartare in town.
Still I'm not much of a restaurant guy, I don't care about the "gourmet movement" and I'm not really that connected to the food itself - I have an affective relationship with La Casserole.
It's been since the 50s at Largo do Arouche, deep Downtown, a place known for promiscuous activity, but time stopped in that little spot - it went through decadence and revitalization, always protected from the underworld by the flowery barrier of the flower market across the street. That helped preserving in the restaurant an aura of old stuff, of going back in time.
Actually, time there goes a little slower: people who go there are not anxious, they're more mature, relaxed, bon vivant. It is perfect for decelerating.