Chef Vitor Mendes is opening iara, a modern Brazilian restaurant celebrating Amazonian ingredients, on Friday, October 2, at 205 Allen Street on the Lower East Side. Inspired by a transformative trip across Brazil following his father's passing, Mendes incorporates indigenous staples like cassava flour, tucupi (fermented cassava juice), jambu, acai, kupuasu, and puxuri into a menu featuring dishes such as tapioca crisps with tuna, moqueca fish stew, and picanha with tapioca fries. The 50-seat space, named after an Amazonian river mermaid from Brazilian folklore, features design elements sourced directly from the Amazon, a 13-seat chef's counter, and a beverage program focused on cachaça-based cocktails.