Argentina meets Brazil

One evening, about a year ago. I was checking out my new neighborhood and stumbled into downtown Brea. There was plenty of little shops to distract me, but something in the air was causing my nose to have a mind of it's own. The more I refused to follow, the more the intensity of the aromas grew. I could not help but to think about how much the smells reminded me of my grandmothers farm in Santa Caterina, Brazil. I looked to my left, across the street from the movie theatre and to my amazement I spotted it, "Carvao Grill". Was it a Brazilian restaurant so close to home? I was so excited and even though I had stuffed my face with a huge Coldstone ice cream I had to check this place out.
As soon as I walked in, I melted. The smell of the carvao was overpowering and so nostalgic. Carvao is the Portuguese word for charcoal and a method of cooking that is primarily used by the Gauchos of Southern Brazil and Argentina. Where the meat is slowly roasted over the fire for hours. MMMMM so good. I asked for the wine menu and was so excited to find that they carried Pascual Toso, Malbec, a delicious Argentine wine that I have only found in New York or Sao Paulo. I knew this was going to be good. The more I looked over the menu, the more I realised that this was not solely a Brazilian restaurant but a fusion of Gaucho styles of Brazil and Argentina.
When the Waiter came to the table, I noticed the accent and asked where he was from. He told me he was the owner and he is from Argentina but lived many years in Brazil. We instantly had thousands of things to say to each other. There is something absolutely beautiful when you meet others from South America. The glow in the eyes and a true feeling of welcome is amazing. Piaggio, as I would later find out was his name and he told me how he truly fell in love with Brazil, it's culture and mainly it's food.
After stuffing my face with empanadas and the Bahia Shrimp, I headed over to the bar of course. Where Piaggio made me one Caipirinha after another. Now for him being an Argentinian and making the best Caipirinhas I ever had was saying allot. Not to mention my most favorite cocktail that I have never seen in America, the Pisco Sour. A mixture of Pisco, a liquor distilled from grapes, lime juice, egg whites, simple syrup, bitters blended together to make heaven in a glass. The cocktails where reasonably priced and the plethora of Taxi Cabs outside made it even more enticing to spend away.
The staff was amazing, service was prompt and the food is excellent. To top it off, there was a live musician playing Bossa Nova making the dining experience even more enjoyable. The restaurant hosts many event including a monthly wine tasting, with an even more extensive wine menu. Live jazz Sunday Brunch and they also offer catering for every event.
This has become a regular hangout for me and my family. We go to the theatre and than cross the street for some delicious food and conversation. This is definitley a place to go if you love Steak, culture and just a feeling of calm and welcome.

Carvao Grill

210 W Birch St
Ste 102
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 990-9140

Brazilian Flavor in West LA

So I will try not to be biased on this place, but it will undoubtedly be so difficult. The first time I went out to a club in America was here. It reminded me of home. From the moment you walk through the fence, the sidewalk is lined in Copacabana's signature black and white zig zagged tiles. Small tables outside to enjoy the night. This is a family restaurant but elements of the place by far fall through the category of a local dive. Children can come in but at 10pm the dancing begins not sure if you want to keep them inside.

Dress is casual, a laid back style of a ocean groove of people. Ahh People, not only are their Brazilians here, there are Asians and Jamaicans, whites and Cubans. This is a place where South American and Caribbean people can come around pretend they are home for one night. The people are your Friends and show you what it means to come from a country where hospitality comes first.

So lets get into the food. This place serves the typical food that one would eat as a late night snack, a hangover buster if you will. Lots of flour lots of frying. Never forget the famous Feijoada, a delicious black bean stew cooked in an array of left over and dried meats. MMMMM Slide that down with an ice cold Caipirinha and you are set.

Dancing is the main thing here. Although the place is small. It reminds me of the street parties we would have in Brazil that would go on late into the night. After that go get some sandwiches and pass out on the beach all day long and do it all over again the next night. Oh to be young and in Brazil. Anyhow Wed-Thurs is Cuban Night and at 8:30 you get front row to some salsa classes that really show you how to get down or should I say get those Hips a going. Friday night is Strictly Reggae night. Several performers come in and the place is packed. Of coarse we will not forget that Friday - Sunday is Brazilian, Brazilian, Brazilian. Live costumed dancers parade around while you engulf your third round of caipirinhas. The dancing is unstoppable. The feeling you get in your veins when you hear those drummers is indescribable. I hope that you can truly make it down here. this is a place I love to go, so let me know if you will be there and I will be to. I love to see the faces of people I just met embrace my culture and bathe themselves in the glorious feelings my people and music make you feel. CIAO

Zabumba

10717 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca 90031

310-841-6525