Brazzil
March 2001
Menu
Since writing the article about cachaça in the November 1998 issue of Brazzil, I have received hundreds of inquiries from readers all over the world interested in tasting the increasingly popular sugar cane derived liquor. As cachaça carries its notoriety beyond its Brazilian borders to bars and restaurants in every corner of the United States, it is no wonder that the Brazilian government is working hard to expand into the newly discovered American market.
Chalk this new interest in international markets up to current consumption in Europe and cachaça producers' desire to tap into the large population of Brazilians stateside who have influenced American culture with their beverage of choice (well, besides a "lourinha bem gelada"—very cold little blonde—, also known as a cold beer). Fortunately, in the next few months various brands will be appearing on liquor store shelves all over the country as the Brazilian organization of cachaça producers in the state of Minas Gerais, Ampaq, unleashes ten premiere export brands through its distribution networks in San Francisco, Miami and New York.
As cachaça aficionados know, quality depends on the means of distillation which can influence the price, taste and aroma of the liquor. Before buying a bottle of cachaça, varying in price between $2.00 and $20.00 per liter depending on the brand, here is a quick five-step method that makers of the Riacho Doce brand cachaça use to determine quality:
1) Hold the bottle up to the light. Quality cachaça is clear and without impurities.
2) Shake the bottle. The froth and bubbles should disappear in less than 30 seconds.
3) (This one is tricky unless you can try it before you buy) When poured slowly down the sides of a glass, it should appear like a fine oil.
4) Check the aroma of the cachaça in a glass or on the palm of your hand. If it does not smell like sugar cane, it probably is not a good cachaça.
5) Request to taste the cachaça before you buy it. If you sense a burning sensation in your mouth or on the back of your throat, it is of poor quality.
In anticipation of the cachaça craze, I have put together a comprehensive list of locations where Brazilian fare could be coupled with a caipirinha or batida (common Brazilian drinks made with cachaça) for your tasting pleasure. Although I would have enjoyed sampling each restaurant myself to recommend the best, this listing of locations came highly recommended by Brazilian consulate officials, Brazilian social/community organizations and colleagues throughout the United States. If you discover a restaurant that is not on the list that you would like to recommend, send me a review.
Enjoy! Bom Apetite!
CALIFORNIAEspeto's do Brazil
8751 Van Nuys Blvd,
Panorama City
818-892-5988
Terra Nostra Restaurant
4020 B Chino Hills Pkwy,
Chino Hills
909-393-5926
Roda Viva Churrascaria
1600 Azusa Ave, #166,
City of Industry
626-939-9950
Green Field, a Brazilian Churrascaria
381 N Azusa Ave, West Covina
888-295-1306 / 626-966-2300
Coisa Nossa
(Salgadinhos docinhos)
310-793-8275
Itana Bahia
8711 Santa Monica Bl.,
West Hollywood
310-657-6306
Rio Juice
11733 Barrington Ct.
310-471-0425
Bossa Nova Pizza
Pasta & Grill, 7181 Sunset Blvd,
By Brazil
1615 Cabrillo Avenue, Torrance
310-787-7520
Zabumba
10717 Venice Blvd
310-841-6525
Big Fish Brazilian Cuisine
4809 W. Marine Ave, Lawndale
310-676-9962
Brazil Tropical
1050 A Garnet Ave, San Diego
619-273-8555
Rio Churrascaria - Brazilian BBQ & Buffet
15122 E. Rosecrans Blvd, La Mirada
714-739-2000 or 888-739-5005
Lulu's Alibi
1640 Sawtelle Blvd
310-479-6007
Yolie's (brazilian steakhouse & seafood)
300 Oceangate, 2nd Flr, Long Beach
562-491-0221
Tropical Fresh Café
1437 #19 Promenade, Santa Monica
310-260-1939
Café Brasil
10831 Venice Blvd
310-837-8957
Café Danssa
11533 West Pico Boulevard, West LA
Bossa Nova
865 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood
310-657-5070
Picanha Churrascaria
269 East Palm Ave, Burbank
818-972-2100
FLORIDA
Camila's (Miami)
129 SE 1st Ave.
305-375-0992
Camilas's (Orlando)
5458 Int'l Drive
407-354-2507
Picanha na Brasa
41 NE 2nd Ave, Miami
305-579-8657
Picanha na Brasa
190 SE 1st Ave, Miami
305-579-0083
Churrascaria Porcão (typical Brazilian steak house)
801 Brickell Bay Dr, Miami
305-373-2777; Fax 305-373-1177
Brazilian Tropicana Restaurant
410 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach
954-781-1113
Brazil Brazil Bar and Grill
3485 N. Federal Hwy,
Fort Lauderdale
954-561-8200; Fax 954-561-0084
Bossa Nova Steak House (typical Brazilian steak house)
2121 Ponce de León Blvd, Coral Gables
305-567-1718
Brazilian Grill (steak house)
1177 S. Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach
954-421-1559
Steak Masters
Bayside Market Place
305-379-7846
BRAZIN (Restaurante e Bar)
1620 N. Federal Hw, Fort Lauderdale
954-295-8284
Via Brasil Café
6616 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
305-867-2929; Fax 305-867-2954
Kabana (Restaurant & Night Club)
5360 N. Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point
954-360-0661
Flavor of Brazil (steak house)
4140 N. Federal Hwy,
Fort Lauderdale
954-565-4388; Fax 954-565-4021
Feijão com Arroz
559 East Sample Rd,
Pompano Beach
954-784-0909
Tutto Pasta
1751 SW 3rd Ave, Miami
305-857-0709
Aquarela Brasileira
8410 West Flagler St _ suite 113-B, Miami
305-226-2888
Picanha's Grillé
13750 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach
305-944-4114; Fax 305-944-4150
Barroco Restaurant (typical food from Minas Gerais)
1630 Ponce de León, Coral Gables
305-774-1934; Fax 305-774-1067
Buzios Restaurant
3428 E. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach
954-785-8980
Minas Deli
10121 SW 72nd St, Miami
305-595-0330; Fax 305-595-2686
Beco Brasileiro
11510 SW 147 Ave Bay 15, Miami
305-387-5651; Fax 305-387-1633
Mannah Grill
171 SE Mizner Blvd 18, Boca Raton
561-338-0026; Fax 561-338-2188
Brasserie
601 Brickell Key Dr, Miami
305-577-0907
That Old Time Pizza (pizza Brazilian style)
146 SE 1st Ave, Miami
305-350-9977
Panorama Restaurant
900 East Atlantic Blvd, #9, Pompano Beach
954-784-8136
Churrascaria Smokey's (delivers also)
613 E. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach
954-783-6669
Potato's Shop
2413 Galiano Street, Coral Gables
305-461-5774
Amigo, Bar & Grill
9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbor Shops, Bal Harbor
305-867-1511; Fax 305-867-1521
ILLINOIS
Mad Bar
1640 N. Damen Ave, Chicago
773-227-2277
Mambo Grill
412 N. Clark St, Chicago
312-467-9797
MASSACHUSETTSButeco
130 Jersey St, Boston
Silver Bull
18 Norwood St, Boston
617-389-3166NEW JERSEY
Boca Louca Restaurante
88 Pulaski St, Newark
973-589-8430
Brasilia Restaurant
132 Ferry St, Newark
973-465-1227
Meson Brasil
354 Lawton Ave, Cliffside Park
201-945-0705
Tradição Restaurante
70 Adams St, Newark
973-465-1022NEW YORK
Scala Brazil
35-50 31st Street, Astoria
212-243-4940
Danny's Skylight Room
346 West 46th St, New York City
212-265-8133
SOB'S
204 Varick Street (at Houston), New York City.
212-243-4940, 212-307-7171 www.sobs.com
Café Wha
115 MacDougal St, New York City
212-254-3706
Blue Note
131 W 3rd St, New York City
212-475-8592 - www.bluenote.net
The Supper Club
240 West 47 St, New York City
212- 921-1940
101 CLUB
101 7th Avenue South, New York City
212-620-4000WASHINGTON, DC
Cactus Taberna
8064 Rolling Rd (Saratoga Center), Springfield.
703-455-3737
Vida Loca
4615 Wisconsin Ave
202-537-3200Jamie Sundquist is a freelance Brazilian Portuguese translator living in the Chicago area. As a former exchange student in Brazil, a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate with a degree in Brazilian Literature and a frequent traveler to Brazil, her background is extensive in the language and culture. For further information regarding this article, please e-mail your inquiry to jmsund@excite.com You can also visit Jamie's Webpage at www.jswrites.com