Casa Fat Radish, Rio de Janeiro

NYC's The Fat Radish restaurant and Absolut Elyx support social reform through local food and drink

Any monumental event—from annual art fairs to sports tournaments—is now a major playground for companies to leave their mark on a captive audience. The branded hoopla oftentimes feels awkward, but when lured by free swag and booze, it’s rarely questioned. So when the New York restaurant The Fat Radish popped up in Rio de Janeiro during World Cup this year, many could have assumed it …