Elle W.
Yelp
Inverness street is not far from the station but easy to miss; nothing too interesting going on apart from a collection of stalls selling typical Camden tat. But if you spot the restaurant do come in and order a caipirinha. :)
The decor is quite interesting, with some elements of brazilian northern culture. I usually prefer to visit for lunch, as I've heard it can get quite busy by night. I take the table at the back, next to the big window from which light floods in. Apparently they have a large variety of cachaça (brazilian spirit) and maybe one day I'll give it a go. For now I usually get hold of a caipirinha to start with; and if you want to have the real experience (not the best caipirinha I've ever tasted but good enough) go for the classic.The "fruity" ones are much weaker, maybe tailored for people who like sweet drinks but not particularly enjoy the taste of alcohol.
I start with a selection of small plates - petiscos, not "brazilian tapas" as the word means something else entirely in brazilian portuguese. They are quite filling and good for share; my faves are the cassava chips (crunchy and salty, yum), pork sausages with onion (they're not quite the same as english sausages and are truly delicious; can be a bit "fatty" if you're from the healthy eating weaklings brigade, so have it in mind), the coxinha (yummy chicken pastries in typical brazilian dough) and the salt cod cakes. It's better and cheaper to order three from the "petiscos deal" (12-8pm) than the snack platter, in my opinion.
For mains I tend to be boring and order the feijoada, as their version is quite acceptable. Not very rich and you won't get a bucket ful like you do in Brazil, but it's enough to fill you up (especially if you had some petiscos) and the beans are quite yummy. They could definitely up their game with the farofa, though, as it is quite basic. If you're a meat lover you're in luck; the picanha is very good and so is the mixed BBQ (churrasco); the side of cassava chips that comes with it being a bonus.
I rarely order dessert at restaurants but find it hard to resist the brigadeiro, a brazilian chocolate truffle. I'm not even a chocolate fan, but add tons of condensed milk to *anything* and I'll eat it. :) Brigadeiro is moist and creamy because of this, quite sweet and not bitter at all (again, 80% cocoa chocolate snobs best avoid). It's only small and £2 worth of sweeteness to go with your cafezinho.
All in all a great lunch that sets you up for the rest of the day. Not cheap as chips but given London prices I think this place offers very good value. Service is friendly and never disappointed me. Never been in the evenings, but by lunch time it is never too full or too loud, making for a relaxing atmosphere where you can actually listen to the music and have a conversation while you enjoy your food and drinks.