Lisa F.
Yelp
Great Brazilian tapas and cocktail bar and restaurant. Brazilian-inspired food, drinks, decor and music. This will be a hit in this up and coming neighborhood that has many great casual restaurants within a couple blocks.
Upbeat Brazilian music playing and intimate seating that allowed chatting with friendly people at neighboring tables if you're feeling social. This was the first time I've chatted with "strangers" since the pandemic, and met a handful of really nice people close to us talking about the amazing food, drinks and more. There are also a few tables outside the patio dining area for customers, which included some solo diners, small groups, friends, families and couples.
Background. The business name is a tribute to owner Jacqueline's hometown Goiania in Brazil. The owners are a husband and wife team who also own the neighboring Mojo Mousse bar, with the husband Johan being the Chef at both places and receiving features in New York Times and other publications.
Ambiance. The outside seating area has a well crafted woodwork design, adorned with pretty white lace draperies, some plants and a tree draping over the top. (The plastic bananas, lemons and parrots added to the outside area take away from the classy ambiance in my opinion, but still very nice.)
The cute and cozy inside is festive Brazilian, designed by a Brazilian interior designer, a few pieces of artwork featuring three famous, female Brazilian creatives and a mural painting as a focal point with the quote from Brazilian Poet Coda Coralina, "We cannot add days to our life but we can add life to our days."
Food and drinks. A Brazilian mixologist designed the cocktail menu.
- The Belgian Fashion, an old fashioned made with bourbon and chocolate bitters from Mojo Mousse, was delicious. What an interesting twist to a favorite cocktail. Served on a wooden coaster and with a piece of chocolate on the side
- You Made It Uphill, a tasty, fruity mezcal cocktail served with a cute flower and miniature clothing clip. Very nice touch.
For the delicious tapas, we had:
- Beautifully presented, generous serving of seasoned pineapple, garnished with a pretty flower on the side. The mysterious seasoning includes a very light sea salt and was fantastic. This was a hit, a must order, and everyone in our vicinity ordered it.
- Mini Crab Cakes (Owner/ Chef Johan's specialty). Delicious, lumped crab meat. I am very particular about crab cakes and often do not like them; but these have small chunks of crab, and a tasty sauce that made them the best I have had.
- Stuffed Pao de Queijo. Heavenly miniature Belgian pasty puffs from Mojo's stuffed with herb cheese and prosciutto. These were amazing.
Recommend for an upbeat Brazilian cocktail bar.