Cafe Brasil

09/17/08

Dump Truck

by waddellski at Citysearch

Let me start off by saying two things;

1. This is the 1st review i have ever written in my life.

2. It is very hard to find anything food related that i dont like.

I tried this place because every Brazillian restaurant I have been to was great. and this place is right down the street from my house. My girlfriend and I ordered the steak dinner. Very clearly stated that we'd like them cooked medium-well. Very unfriendly staff took the order. We sat outside and chatted while we waited for our food to be ready. A bum stumbled by us and into the cafe. He proceded to steal about 5 apples from a bowl. He stumbled out and on his way (didnt bother me too much. i would have gave him our food if he stuck around). There was a local hangin out on the corner right there at the cafe drinkning a 40 in the street. when cars would pass by he would hide his 40 in the newspaper stand. when the coast was clear, he'd continue drinking. I was hoping he would openly urinate on the street mostly because i was with my girlfriend.

When the food was ready i was starving. It aint a meal unless there is meat in it. I was ready to just devour that steak. I cut mine in half and see that it is 90% raw. I mean as raw as it can get. Im not even being picky. I was so hungry and alot of things dont bother me. i would have ate it if it was remotely edible. I had to take it back. The staff asked me, "what?, you want it cooked more?". I was like dude, are you joking? this is totally raw. Please cook it for me. I sat back down to learn my girlfriends was just as bad. I took hers back as well. The whole ordeal took so long and we were so hungry that we left to eat that the churrascaria (Pampas) across the street. Pampas was amazingly good. Half the price too. I can honestly say that Brasil Cafe was a waste of $40. Yes, $40 for two simple meat, rice, and tiny green salad un-edible dinners. I wouldnt go back even if they charged what the food is worth ($8 per plate). Rip off. Dump truck status.

• Pros: Outside seating
• Cons: bums and drunkies outside

05/05/08

MMMMMMM yummy

by Jinz998 at Citysearch

MMMMMMMM so good...been going there for yearss..I like FLAVOR in my food and Cafe brasil hits the spot. It is such an awesome lunch spot and really nice at night too.

• Pros: Everything is good
• Cons: you have to go to the counter and get your food....stop being lazy and get up..its good!

07/09/07

Almost like being in Bahia in Brazil!

by jazzolicious at Citysearch

Sure it looks like a road side shack just off of Venice Blvd. But it more than makes up for it once you enter the inside which is actually outside. This is a fun and eclectic place to dine. I love the fact that the tables and chairs are kinda mix matched and a cute accent to the resturant are the bowls of fruit or vegetables makes it feel just like home. The food is amazing my favorite is the chicken breast with beans, rice, salsa and plaintains. The lunch specials are great as well. Every single person that I have taken here loves it and goes back without me even my sister and brother n law that live more than an hour away. Friendly staff and a fun Atmosphere. Great with a group of friends or family and at night perfect for a fun casual date. The prices are very reasonable and best of all you can "Bring your own Wine". Cafe Brasil is a great place that makes you feel like your on the road side of Brasil miles away even though you are in the heart of the city!

• Pros: The food and the Ambience
• Cons: During busy times wait can be a bit long

04/09/07

Tasty

by ejergens at Citysearch

Really excellent pulled pork and the fried plaintains are really great! The rice and beans are very good. This is one of my husbands favorites. The one in Santa Monica is better than the other one in Hollywood.

• Pros: Great pulled Pork

01/12/07

Yummy

by buck6 at Citysearch

It's great for Brazilian food. From the outside, it looks like a shack ...drive slow or you might miss it...but don't be fooled because on the inside they have a great menu of authentic Brazilian food. The outside dining is really nice and cozy. Their grill entres are so good and they come with plantains yum. Taste the cheese bread too...its called Pao de quejio, and get a brazilian soda.

11/24/06

Good lunch spot!

by dmenkes at Citysearch

I've been here a number of times for lunch and love their spicy chicken pasta. Their vegetables are steamed well and crisp, and their sauces are very good. I love their black beans. Parking is difficult so coming early helps!

11/24/06

The Breakfast is the Best Deal

by poppies77 at Citysearch

Dinner and lunch here don't bowl me over, but definitely come here for the breakfast special plate. It's a great value, and it serves as a nice sampling of great flavors. The cheese bread is especially yummy.

11/19/06

I don't get it

by gnoleb at Citysearch

I don't understand what is to like about this place. I've been here twice with my fiancee. The prices are really high for counter service ($9 for a sandwich, $15 for fish or steak) and the food is at best average for brazilian food. Their "salsa" tastes like they put parsely instead of cilantro...it has a very "earthy/rooty" flavor that I can't understand. It tastes like a mistake. The portions are small, the fish and steak I've tried were both bland, and they don't have booze (a caipirinha would have made this place at least a drink hangout).

The atmosphere is great, and I guess that is what is selling other people. The patio has a great vibe. At least if they served drinks I could use this place for that.

• Pros: great atmosphere/ambience
• Cons: the food, lack of booze

11/09/06

Casual digs, classic food

by lindley at Citysearch

If dining al fresco is your idea of romance or fun, this might be the place for you. From the outside looking in you can't see much of anything. Once you park your car (free parking shared by Cafe Brasil and Bamboo though there is supposed to be some kind of official allocation of spaces for each restaurant) and make your way into this indoor-outdoor haven, you really feel as though you're in Brasil... rather than twenty feet away from busy Venice boulevard.

The environment is very outdoors-made-indoors with a casual pergola arrangement, umbrellas, and strategically arranged potted plants. You stand in line and order from a counter, then wait on wood benches for your dinner to be cooked. Service is plastic baskets, stainless steel flatware, and wax paper, but rather than feeling cheap, just seems to enhance the whole vibe of the place.

The food is excellent. Best value is the pitcher of juice. I also recommend the spicy fish sandwiche and fried plantains. The usual rice and bean sides are available, as well as imported soda pop. Although the service (cooking time) is fast, it's definitiely not your typical fast food either in flavor or price. Expect to pay $9-15 per person for a great meal and drink.

• Pros: Superior food, great ambiance, fast kitchen service
• Cons: Can get crowded

10/30/06

the place has character

by pinays at Citysearch

i love this place. yes, you have to order by the cash register and bring your food to the table. but, that aside, the place is lovely! the decorations are eclectic but they all come together. it looks like such a homey place. it is a good place to have a group of friends just hang out and eat. on to the food: i always enjoy the grilled chicken. unfortunately, i have not branched out because i love their grilled chicken all that much. it is not dry at all. the black beans are also good and the rice is just perfect!