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A Taste of Brazil & Brazusa Brazilian Market
Categories: Restaurants Latin American Restaurants Brazilian Latin American, Brazilian [Edit]
4838-4840 S Huntington DrLos Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 342-9422
Announcement
All Appetizers 1/2 off on Thrusdays between 3 pm to 5 pm
- Hours:
Tue-Wed 10:30 am - 3 pm
Thu 10:30 am - 9 pm
Fri 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
Sat 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
133 reviews for A Taste of Brazil & Brazusa Brazilian Market
Review Highlights
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"I also LOVE the fact that there's live music playing." In 29 reviews -
"The Pao de Queijo (cheese bread) was AWESOME." In 10 reviews -
"Brazilian cheese bread is one of my favorite foods." In 22 reviews
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133 reviews in English
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Review from Willy W.
gosh, I wish this place wasn't so far away.
I stopped by for lunch on Saturday as I was in the area.
Such a nice, cozy restaurant. The staff was incredibly nice and even the cook threw some shout-outs.
I conversed with the manager and another patron for a good 20 mins about various things. There's a big tv playing sports or some other Brazilian program.
If I were hungrier, I'd order the feijoada (national dish of brasil) but was feeling a bit homesick for some good old beef stroganoff. It's a bit creamier than the stuff normally found here in the US and served w/crunchy potato sticks. yum!
I was then tempted into getting a dessert: coconut pudim. Pretty good though kinda small. It was served with a squishy plum (I think?) on top.
At the moment, check-in with Yelp and get a 10% discount!!
Attached to the restaurant is a small market of goodies to peruse. This is very convenient if you need some guarana, pao de queimo mix, etc.
The place really hit the spot and I'll have to find time to go back to try their fejioada and pao de queijo.
Finally they do have their own tiny parking lot. I'd imagine it would get full easily. -
Review from mik g.
Los Angeles, CA
5/16/2012
Love to say its great or not but the place was closed (5.1.12) with no timetable for reopening - shame as drove across town to try it out so beware!
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Review from Jesse N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice little spot, very quaint. Staff was friendly and efficient. Food was tasty and easily worth the asking price. The ambiance was very mellow (we were the only ones there on a late Sunday afternoon) but I didn't really mind. Spots like these are hard to find..
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Review from Alisa S.
San Gabriel, CA
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dined here on a Friday night with a couple of friends and I was pleasantly surprised by how adorable the interior is. Parking is a B, but the delicious food and delightful service more than make up for it.
We started with the fried yucca--delicious! I had the peche baina(sp?) which was fish covered in salsa with a side of rice and PERFECTLY fried plantains. It was pretty tasty, but I think I'm going to give their beef stroganoff a s shot next time. We ended with the flan--AMAZING!!! It was a great consistency--and we were all fighting for the last bite.
My only regret is not reading the Yelp reviews more carefully. Otherwise I would have phoned ahead for an order of the cheese bread which takes about 20-30 minutes for them to bake. I guess it's something to look forward to next time because I will definitely be back! -
Review from Linda R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/16/2011
I live about 8 minutes away from this place. It was on an impulse that I discovered this amazing Brazilian restaurant. The food is amazing and the entertainment musicians are absolutely lovely and wonderful to listen to. The staff is very friendly and the owner is always smiling. :) I love the Brazilian sausage appetizer and there is one main entree I often order when I go there. It's a mixture of beans, sausage, and beef, served with rice, greens, and plantains. (Update: It's called the Feijoada) Soooooo good. Check this place out for sure!!!
Oh and they have these whole chilis in tiny bottles that go really well with the food you order. Try it out..if you dare. :) -
Review from Diane B.
4/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
EXCELLENT SERVICE!
I brought my family here for my mom's birthday on a Saturday night, and the servers treated us kindly throughout the entire dinner. They checked up on us, refilled our waters, asked us if our meals were okay, and told us about how they prepared their food. We were happy about the servers being able to speak Portuguese since my parents grew up in Brazil.
Their live music was great! It was mostly Brazilian music mixed with American oldies, but the muscian's voice was so soothing and his acoustics were kickin! He also sang Happy Birthday to my mom in English AND Portuguese. That was pretty awesome :) Service 5 out of 5!
Although the service was AWESOME, the food could have been better ( except the delicious cheese bread and complimentary fresh bread). Their sausage was mediocre, their steak lacked sea salt/seasoning, and their feijoada needed more meat in the beans. Their infamous stroganoff was pretty good, but after finishing half of it, I got a little sick of it since the texture was on the thicker side. Food.. 3 out of 5.
I will definitely come back to this place, but next time, I'll consider their wine list and a basket of cheese bread....with a side of live music. :) -
Review from jon g.
San Gabriel, CA
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very good service for a local and home type of resturant. food was very authentic and tasty. I ate the fish fillet and I loved it. The portions were perfect size for me. Prices could get expensive but there are options for nonexpensive items.
overal: it's authentic and I would recommend it to a friend + family
8/10 -
Review from Jen H.
5/31/2011
Hmm, the food was just okay--nothing really special or stood out to me.
For lunch, we ordered:
1) cheese bread (they need about 20 minutes to prepare for this, so beware) 3.5/5
2)Beef Stroganoff-sauce was pretty rich, but well-seasoned (3.5/5)
3) Steak sandwich (2.5/5)--the steak was so chewy!!!!
4) Appetizer platter-(3/5) -
Review from Chris R.
Burbank, CA
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice hidden find with a shaded and cozy outdoor patio. I ordered the favorful and fresh grilled medium rare steak, chicken filet, and sausage platter served on an iron skillet. It came with plantains, rice, and beans. The dishes are made to order so they come out hot and juicy. I think they could work on some of their seasoning and marination though. Though the beef and chicken were juicy, they lacked the "Brazilian" flare.
I wish they had some home made Brazilian drinks, but perhaps that is asking too much given the area. Very friendly waitress even brought water in a bowl for my puppy.
Check in even gave me 10% of the entree, not sure why it wasn't off the entire bill as stated in the ad though... Oh well I guess some is better than none. -
Review from Dizzy D.
Los Angeles, CA
1/19/2011
I live a few blocks away, and I just moved to El Serino. I wanted to try some of the places near to me so after a few months it was time to go to Taste of Brazil. I was actually very, very excited because of the wonderful things I read on Yelp.
However, I was not impressed by the food here. I ordered the tiger shrimp $14 (one the cheaper entrées listed). The shrimp were tasty... fresh, not frozen, but the yucca and beans were unmemorable. Fried plantains were delicious though. My companion ordered the vegetarian plate, and the best thing on there were the plantains.
We also ordered the cheese bread, because there is so much hype over them, but for $8.50 for 7 doughy cheese balls... I just don't get it... although my friend loved them.
All beers are $5.25... even the cheapo bud light beers. We both ordered the Brazilian beer which was nice. It also looks like they have a small wine selection for wine drinkers.
We mentioned Yelp, and got a free desert (although in hindsight I think we both could've both got a free dessert (1 with each meal)). We got the chocolate mousse... nothing too chocolate or mousse about it... could've come from a kid's school cafeteria line.
On the positive side, the people were friendly, good service, a guitar player/ singer took the stage on Friday night playing sweet acoustic music in Portuguese. But if I'm going to drop $50+ on a meal for two, I really prefer to leave being blown away a little. -
Review from Ron B.
San Gabriel, CA
1/31/2011
Charming Place wonderful vibes~~~
Very small with weather permitting a large outside patio!
So, the service excellent.
The owner, full of charm, charisma, and outgoing~ add to the ambiance of this small coverted house to cafe type place!
Note: a touch, they take a picture and she prints and places in a cover for your table!
There were 4 of us, I had the Combo of steak, chicken, and Brazilian sausage~ as I do not eat carbs, the had salads, and the best blanched lightly cooked Collard Greens I have ever tasted. This unique, almost like parched only and served shredded and seasoned! This a must.
So, overall I am not impressed with the food, as much as my overall feeling as leaving feeling good!
parking a small lot attached, and street limited parking
restroom, unisex and clean
value~ not so, but consider a different cuisine and outgoing exuberant friendly staff, as eating as an invited guest! -
Review from Kristy C.
Monterey Park, CA
7/3/2011
Brazilian cheese bread is one of my favorite foods. But I could never find a good Brazilian restaurant that was close to where I live. I was craving it one day and decided I would drive anywhere to get a bite of that chewy goodness so I did a quick yelp search and discovered that there was a place in El Sereno which is pretty close to Monterey Park.
You can't miss this place as the outside is decorated in the colors of Brazil. The inside is small but we dined during the weekday when it wasn't crowded. The food is really good, the staff is nice and the prices reasonable...I feel like I hit the jackpot!
A quick rundown of what I ordered:
1. Brazilian cheese bread - BEST cheese bread I have ever eaten. It has the right amount of cheesy taste and the inside has perfect doughy texture. It takes them about 20-30 minutes to bake so next time I'll place an order in advance.
2. Steak Milanesa - Breaded skirt steak was tender with a light fried coating. Served with a vegetable rice, plantains and salad.
They also give you bread for the table which was also super tasty. The french bread was crusty and instead of butter, they serve it with this brie-like cheese spread...a very nice surprise!
Super excited to find this Brazilian joint!! -
Review from Jason A.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was amazing! The staff was outrageously nice, the food was PHENOMENAL, and there was a live Brazilian guitarist singing throughout the evening. The staff even sang along with him! haha. I had a great time here. My girlfriend put it on her list for places she wants to celebrate her birthday. Can't wait until her birthday.
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Review from Nick K.
Los Angeles, CA
10/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Taste of Brasil is not a churrascaria where you have mounds of meat come your way by sword-wielding gaúchos, but it's a small and cozy restaurant. It's somewhat hard to find this restaurant if you're not familiar with the location (like i was), but once you get there, you will not mistaken the yellow-green motif that colours our Brasilian flag
The food is something that draws me back. Much more home-cooking than just restaurant fare. The things i've tried so far have always been quite pleasant. They have a whole gamut of choices... ranging from your typical meat/chicken/seafood entrées, sandwich, salads...
Feijoada is one dish i particularly enjoy at this joint. A bit expensive, but i don't mind paying the dough to eat this treasured dish. It has all of the accompaning sides (orange, greens, farofa, rice, fried plantains and even fried pork skin) and is a big-portioned meal
They also do have dishes that are very distinctly Brasilian (like moqueca), but i haven't tried them yet. Will do on my next visit
Their meat dishes are great. If not feijoada, i usually get the picanha and it is cooked the way i like it: salty and medium rare! There's also a "sampler"-type dish, for which i can't remember the name, but it has a portion of meat, chicken and calabresa (Brasilian sausage)
My friend had tried the calabresa sandwich and he LOVED it. Their calabresa is very tasty and is one of my favourite locations to eat the stuff
Many have commented on the ambiance and i agree... very cozy, homey and it's like coming to your aunt's house. The owner is a super nice lady and always is happy to see you
Unless you have a Brasilian friend that will invite you to their house, this is probably one of the best places to really experience the spirit of the Brasilian peopleListed in: Brasil, meu Brasil brasileiro
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Review from Diego A.
Los Angeles, CA
12/2/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Bottom Line: Stop by for authentic, home-cooked style Brazilian food.
I'm just as big a fan of churrascarias as all of you, but was excited to find a Brazilian joint that served dishes other than BBQ. Don't get me wrong, they cook a mean Brazilian steak, but what you really want to try is the feijoada and the fish dishes cooked-to-order and served with the traditional Brazilian accompagnement. While they will take some time to prepare, the taste is worth the wait.
In the meantime, try not to gorge on the freshly baked bread, or better yet, the cheese bread (if you were smart enough to order them 30 minutes prior to your arrival).
The ambiance here feels like a Brazilian home that's been converted into a makeshift restaurant. And that's probably what's happened, considering the lack of parking, the tightness of the dining quarters, and the proximity of the kitchen. For me, this adds to the charm, but YMMV. Adding to the feel, a few days a week, they have a charming fellow with a guitar strumming through the Standards in Portuguese (a nice touch). On other nights, they have a LCD-TV looping video and images of Rio, just to make you feel bad about that cheap vacation you planned in Vegas.
One quick note, they ask for tips in cash, so bring some of that jingle-jangle along with your credit-cards! And park on the street to avoid the car crush in their tiny lot. -
Review from Ron E.
11/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
My extent of my knowledge of Brazilian food rests from what I've learned from Blanka of Street Fighter 2 and Tyler Florence making Feijoada on TV years ago.
Like an old girlfriend, this place has been nagging me for the better part of six months. Curiosity got the best of me for the obligatory Friday power lunch and the office mates agreed to venture deep into the bowels of El Sereno for that new new.
Those unfamiliar with the area may struggle with finding the street leading to the bright green building. I can't explain how it works, but Google does. Parking is an equally difficult task as business and residential parking are all rolled into one lump, leaving but a handful of spaces to park it, even after peak lunch times.
Once we got there, the hostess/waitress seated us and brought out some bread and butter to whet our appetites. Despite only three other people taking part in lunch time festivities, ordering our food presented itself a task. Not sure what magician's box she disappeared into, but she needs to stop playing around with that thing, magically appear at our table and pay heed to our grumbling stomachs. After a nice wait in which three of our party had time to sprout full-grown beards, our lunch was put into motion and appeared a short time later.
I went with the Calabresa sandy with fries as most of the other meal options didn't do anything for me, especially as a lunch option. The sandy wasn't bad, amazingly unastonishing but filling. The sausage wasn't bad, but hardly seemed grilled as advertised. The veggies were abundant and the cheese was all gravy. Quite honestly, it seemed like something a college student could've whipped up at home. Maybe a Brazilian college student. The fries were unseasoned (err-roar err-roar err-roar) and needed the the help of the that tableside pepper sauciness to seal the deal. Everyone else seemed stoked on their food as plates were licked clean.
At the end of the day, this place ain't half bad, espcially after I've already eaten my way through Valley Blvd enough for two lifetimes. Portions are hefty but the customer relations portion of the employees manual needs to be revisited. A few times. -
Review from Cristiano I.
San Gabriel, CA
9/14/2011
I am Brazilian and this place makes me sad. sad to know that they use low quality products.
For example: the passion fruit juice was made with tasteless cheap pulp "not the real fruit, it's like when you buy orange juice from concentrate" and in Brazil that's not natural juice if it's not from the real fruit. I also ordered a steak that I can tell is the cheapest steak out there, I was impressed because I've never seen it on sale in the US and I cook everyday. Full of nerves or whatever Americans would call it.
My wife ordered Coxinhas de Frango that were also low quality.
The only thing I'd really recommend buying there is the Acai, which BTW they don't offer ready for you to drink, it's the frozen Acai Puree that you take home and prepare yourself. http://Amazon.com sell it though, and it's more of the same for less money.
I have yet to find a good Brazilian restaurant in the US but I heard there is this Food Truck that's good, I haven't tried it yet but I'm planning on. -
Review from Tammy P.
LAKE VIEW TER, CA
9/27/2011
This is a little location with great sausages, fresh drinks and the coolest market attached that sells items that they cook with. If you go there, buy the tiny chilis in the jar that are red and spicy - amazing, will add flavor to any of your favorite dishes!
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Review from Jenji T.
Glendale, CA
11/16/2010
awesome coffee, great dinner - i got the salmon with rice and veggies which also came with fried platanos!! yumm. Im half salvi so we love our sweet plantaines for breakfast. we got the fried yucca appetizer with a dip - delicious!! I tried everyone else's plate too - beans are really good, they def have a different taste from what i am used to (mexican or salvadoran style). Their homemade chilli sauce was bomb!! had little chilli's in them....i was about to gobble it all up!! love me some spicy food.
Great service, but there wasn't any live music and it was a weekend?? maybe it was too early.
I wanna go back and try the Pan de Queso though. =) -
Review from Tristam B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2011
I am not brazilian so I have no way to say how authentic this for brazilian home-cooking but it is really good food.
Great atmosphere too - cosy little place with live (mellow) music at weekends.
They accept credit cards but bring cash for tips - they won't let you add it to the tab. -
Review from Dee T.
Los Angeles, CA
10/15/2011
Called to make a reservation to eat here for the first time and the woman reported that the restaurant is closed forever :(
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Review from Kevin A.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/16/2011
Excellent and very kind service, our server even took a picture of us and put it in a card. However, the food is mediocore at best. Not too many options, the flavors were bland. The yucca and maduro clearly came from a frozen package. The fish and steak were nothing to get excited about. The maracuya mousse was quite bitter. Maybe everyone here gives such high marks because of the service and entertainment. But please, please, please, don't come here expecting authentic brazilian/latin quality food. Out of our group the vegetarian dish was the most tasty, even then not that impressive. On a bright note, we finished with the bread pudding. No complaints from our group on that, very tasty. We won't be coming back here again.
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Review from Lindsay C.
Long Beach, CA
6/16/2010
Im not going to say "well in Brasil we..." blah blah. It's given that most of the places aren't going to taste as authentic as those back in Brasil, although there are those that are quite good.
So I will be as objective as possible. This place is GREAT!
STROGONOFF DE FRANGO- I love this dish. The cream sauce was to die for.
MOUSSE de MARACUJA- I think I'm a bit biased since I generally like anything made of passion fruit. A lot of people don't like or aren't familiar with how passion fruit tastes. If you are one that isn't up to trying something that your taste buds may not act so nicely too, you may not want to try this.
Recommended- YES, try and go on a weekend to hear some tunes. -
Review from Diana I.
7/10/2010 1 photo
I have mixed feelings about this place.
I absolutely love the ambience and the cute, quaint, romantic feel of the restaurant. It's great for a date! I also LOVE the fact that there's live music playing. The guy on the guitar was absolutely fabulous! Service here is also super nice and friendly, although it's reallyyyy slowww. We waited about an hour for our food.
As for the food, my friends and I first shared the cheese bread (Pao de Quejio). It's only like 7 little pieces for $8 which is pretty pricey. They also take 30 min to bake. But they were amazing! Fresh, hot, soft, delicious, everything you want cheese bread to be!
And for the entree, I got the Picanha na Tabua: beef top sirloin with salsa, black beans, rice, plantains, and farofa. I asked the meat to be cooked medium but it came out well done and it was a bit on the salty side. But it was a LOT better than the skirt steak my friends got. They were all pretty disappointed by the skirt steak. The meat was way too thin and not good quality. On the other hand, the beans were really flavorful and delicious! I usually don't like beans but these were really good. I also really liked the plantains!
So overall, I'm a bit torn on what to give this place. Some aspects of it are fabulous, but some are less than mediocre. I'd definitely be willing to come back again though and try something else on the menu! :) -
Review from Kristen G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/2/2008 1 Check-in Here
I've always been a little scared of Brazilian restaurants. Because, really... When you think of Brazilian... what do you think of??
Meat.
Lots and Lots of meat.
and maybe Plantains.
regardless... Meat.
And as a vegetarian, I just let the meat eaters enjoy all the good food, apparently.
Because... seriously. Some of the best food ever.
And Taste of Brazil is one of those charming little places that makes me wonder how I lived so long without Brazilian food.
From the moment we walked in, I felt at home. The owners are so amazingly accommodating and friendly... that I felt like somehow I'd walked into their home and they were cooking me a homemade meal...
And really, the food may come out of a restaurant kitchen... but it tastes like it was made by your fairy Brazilian godmother.
They actually HAVE a veggie plate -- which just makes me giddy. I'm not a crunchy granola vegetarian... and I've always been one of those vegetarians that thumbs her nose at vegetable plates that consist of broccoli and cauliflower..
but um. Taste of Brazil's veggie plate consisted mostly of broccoli and cauliflower and green beans and carrots... but seriously, if broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and carrots tasted like that naturally -- I would be the biggest fan... The spices they put on the vegetables make them SOO tasty that I gobbled them up like nothing...
and the Plantains... ohhhhh Plantains... where have you BEEN all my life? Your caramel-y goodness just warms my soul.
The veggie plate also comes with beans and rice and really, I can't add any more to beans and rice :)
But, I'm saving the best part for last... the mashed potatoes.
Oh god.
I've had some good mashed potatoes in my life. Really, I have. And, ohhhhh... Taste of Brazil's mashed potatoes exceeded expectations. They taste homemade in the BEST way. And they equal any previous OMG-worthy mashed potatoes I've ever had.
I savored those mashed potatoes til the last bite.
Oh.. and you want to know how much this amazing meal goes for?
Guess...
Really... you'll never guess.
$7.70.
Seriously, you can't beat that with a stick.
(I got excellent reports on the meat, too, btw, for all you non-veggies reading this)
You do have to venture into El Sereno, if you dare... but it's well worth the risk...Listed in: So You're Dating a…
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Review from R S.
East Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2011 25 Check-ins Here
Brasil do El Serreno, Califas!
We arrived Friday night after work with no reservation and found one table left at around 8:30 pm. Parking is off-street around the corner - the lot (7 cars max) is usually full occupied by employees and/or regulars. One (1) space is designated for Handicap Parking if required.
We ordered Bife Acebolado and Balacubaco. Each dish was cooked to perfection very tender and moist. The portions were large and the presentation was excellent. Total check - including very tasty acai and maracuja drinks - was ~$35. FYI tips are requested to be paid in cash.
Live acoustic and percussion music in Brasilia and English creates a nice vibe while you dine. Viva Paulista! The Laker game was playing on mute in the background, which is nice if you're a fan. Only negative, the owner/staff cut from the 4th quarter, with 5 minutes left of a close game, to play a DVD of a folk brasilian musician - still on mute. (?!?!) Who does that ... in L.A. ... en serio?
Apart from the Faux paus, we had very pleasant dining experience. Next time we will order ahead and try the cheese bread (takes 30 minutes to prepare).
Obrigado Taste of Brazil! Muito 'Brigad! -
Review from Linda N.
Los Angeles, CA
1/30/2009
A casual neighborhood spot with some decent options. First, order a Brahma, a light Brazilian beer with notes of citrus at the end. Second, order chicken or steak, the salmon was overcooked when I ordered it. I enjoyed the juicy chicken though.
The owner is friendly and service is quick. -
Review from Meire M.
Hidden Hills, CA
11/15/2011
This place has a delicious Brazilian homemade food. The service is excellent.
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Review from Luy T.
Los Angeles, CA
4/24/2007 8 photos
I love a Taste Of Brazil! The place serves up authentic "comida brasileira" (brazilian food) at prices that make you wonder how they stay in business.
The milanesa steaks are to DIE for.
The portions are nothing to be laughed at. The service is adequate.
They have live brazilian music on the weekends.
They make brazilian cheese bread, but remember to place an order for these delicious appetizers about 20 minutes before coming in.
Could only be better if it was closer to home!Listed in: Brazilian Food in LA, Top Restaurants
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Review from Anthony P.
Alhambra, CA
8/8/2011
I loved this place. I am learning Portuguese in school and all the staff speaks fluent Portuguese! I ordered the Feijoada Completa, it was a bit expensive, $17.99, but worth it. It came with all the traditional side dishes. I will definitely come back to this place on a Friday or Saturday night for the live music. Only downside, Yelp said that there was free desert included in my meal after 6pm on a Sunday...yeah, that's NOT true, I asked.
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Review from Lance T.
Monterey Park, CA
9/25/2009
I have visited the country of Brazil 3 times already, and I can say that Taste Of Brazil is the closest thing when you want authentic Brazillian food.
Real Portuguese speaking people. Real condiments imported from Brazil. Real serious, authentic, delectable Brazillian food!!
Live band on the weekends.
Who would have known this hidden gem was located in El Sereno?!
Yelp helped me find this place! Thanks!! -
Review from Kevin C.
Pasadena, CA
12/28/2009 7 photos
I have just started running and for my first 10 mile run I went from my house to this little place here in El Sereno. We met some friends here one of which is half Brazilian and likes this place plenty.
I ordered the cheese bread which is literally like eating cheese balls with some type of bread outside, although heavy I think I could survive on them alone. Orders of both chicken and beef stroganoff, shrimp orders plus two orders of flan made a great meal. This is not a Brazilian bbq place but rather a Brazilian food place. It is cute tasty and they have good service. The portions are not huge but just right IMO.
Also, they have an attached market for some of the things you may want from such as Guarana drink, cheese bread, Flan (yeah I know it has another name in Portuguese just like all these things). Overall food tasted great and it was a nice atmosphere, I hear some nights they have live music which is cool too. Sure tasted great after 10 miles !!! -
Review from mary b.
Pasadena, CA
4/28/2010
This review is about good food, great music and a cool neighborhood.
Well El Sereno look at you all grown up and getting my business.
I love you baby.
I am a professional musician but I've never been to a more beautiful concert than the free one that has been going off lately on Friday nights here. Honey, do not miss the chance to have dinner here on a Friday night .
The patio outside looks like a sweet spot to catch the sunset though I can not bother to be any further away than the closest chair to the stage while the guitar playing is off the charts.
The food is good and the service is nice. My favorite soft drink made of guarana will always start me off and be followed by a protein with black beans rice and plantains. But what really makes this place for me is the music. BellaListed in: Latina Los Angeles
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Review from Maureen W.
South Pasadena, CA
6/9/2009
Wow, I totally thought I had already reviewed this place. I had been wanting to go for a while so on a cold and rainy night, my man took me here. What a great establishment! It's small, it's intimate, the food is awesome.
Hubby had the "meat plate" and he was a satisfied man, I can tell you that. I had the skirt steak which was delicious. We split a salad and the sauteed mushrooms. I bet you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And to top it all off, we had lovely live Brazilian music to listen to.
The owner was there and he was so nice and accomodating. I cannot wait to go back! It was a great date night!Listed in: Me and the Hubbster, out on…
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Review from Ken L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/24/2010
FANTASTIC! SIX STARS! Not a churrascaria with skewers of meat, A Taste of Brazil is a delicious homestyle Brazilian restaurant that has amazing feijoada and fish stews in authentic Brazilian style that made us "homesick" for Brazil. To boot, they are totally friendly and wonderful. Major props.
We ate here a few days ago. It's been challenging to find a really great Brazilian restaurant around here, as they are all overpriced churrascarias. Not so here. Freakin' delicious...and inexpensive!!!!!
The feijoada was fantastic, much like we had eaten in Salvador in Brazil. The Peixe a Baiana was delicious, and at only $11.70, a total bargain. While it didn't quite nail the taste of the fish stews that I had in Brazil, it was absolutely delicious. And again, at $11.70, there's not many restaurants that serve delicious fish dishes for that kind of price anywhere.
Farofa, acai, guarana, caju (cashew) juice.
BTW, they accepted our credit card. We were told that they only took cash, but apparently that has changed. I left my credit card there, and they mailed it back to me!
SUPER NICE PEOPLE, SUPER FANTASTIC FOOD, SUPER GREAT PRICES!!!!!!! -
Review from Bryan K.
San Mateo, CA
3/18/2007
You can't miss this place driving by on Huntington. there's a giant Brasilian flag on the roof.
This is a nice small business. The first time I came here I had the picanha, which was to die for. Mmmmmm melt-in-your-mouth goodness. And it was cheap too. The second time I brought a buddy and they served one picanha and one something-resembling-top-sirloin-disguised-as-pica nha... WTH??? I never ate here since.
Other things: The sausage and fried yucca is good. The feijoada taste like the beans came out of a can, yuck! So I guess the first time was the charm, all other times it tasted like the farm.
But the good thing is, there is an attached grocery store. You can buy cashew juice, frozen picanha meat, hot peppers, and other Brasilian goodies. Forget the restaurant, stop by the store. -
Review from Angela C.
3/14/2009
We were in the neighborhood for something, but came an hour early so we decided to grab lunch somewhere in the neighborhood - saw this place randomly and decided to just check it out... and we are glad we did! We walked into an adorable little restaurant all decked out in green & yellow (Brazil's colors). The only hostess there greeted us warmly and told us to sit anywhere.
We sat and just as I was wondering whether we were going to get bread because I saw the olive oil & vinegar sitting on the table, a plate of hot, sliced baguettes arrived. You could tell it was definitely baked in house!! Mmmm! The baguettes were delicious and I devoured an entire one in about 5 minutes! The outside was light and flaky and the inside was super soft. Paired with the olive oil and vinegar and I was in heaven.
Now I have to make a quick disclaimer - I don't know Brazilian food. I've only really had Brazillian BBQ and I know that doesn't count! All I know is this place had good food. Is it authentic? I haven't a clue!
Their entrees were really reasonable considering what we ordered. The FI ordered this grilled chicken dish with Frango Grelhado, which was a grilled chicken dish with french fries, rice, beans, and fried plantains on the side. That's a lot of food for $9!
I got the Salmao Freshco Grelhado, which is a similar dish except it's salmon. Sooo flaky and juicy - just like their chicken. For $11, this came with a side of veggies, rice, and plantains. I was surprised at how well everything was seasoned, especially the grilled veggies... so many places make it too bland. One thing I know is that a sign of a skilled chef is how well they season their food, and this place deserves an A in that category.
The waitstaff here were friendly and amiable, the ambiance is cute... all in all a great, random dining experience! -
Review from Carla B.
YES, YES, YES!!!
DELICIOUS FOOD!!! Service is a little slow, but worth it.
The order:
*2 passion fruit juices
*1 shared Brazilian sausage & fried yucca appetizer
*1 milanesa steak entrée
*1 top sirloin entrée
*1 shared vanilla flan
Total with tax and a few cents over 15% tip= $60.04
***(We paid with a credit card, but the waitress wrote on the receipt that tip had to be cash, though, which I found odd.)***
The chouriço and fried yucca appetizer ("Calabreza") was DECADENT. The sausage was juicy and was sauteed with onions and tomatoes. Just delicious!
The milanesa steak ("Bife a Milanesa") and their beef top sirloin ("Picanha na Tabua") are delicious! My top sirloin was juicy and perfectly cooked medium, for once if my life!!!! Both entrées come with white rice and black beans. My bf's milanesa steak came with some potato mash little side that had zero salt (not very good). But mine came with some maduro sweet plantains.
The flan was SO creamy and perfect! Caramel was not burned, as in many other places. We ordered one for sharing, but it was so good we wanted a 2nd one, but they were out of it! :-( But I can see why!
The place in itself is cozy, family friendly and has live music with a guitarist/singer who does Brazilian music as well as some American material. It's only voice and classic guitar, but if you prefer more privacy and less going on, you can dine outside with candlelight and very little residual noise from inside (more romantic-ish). :-) They also sell few Brazilian grocery products. I got some Brazilian chouriço sausage (1 pound is $7 and a few cents).
Loved it!!! Next time I'm having the Milanesa steak and 7 flans! :-DListed in: All Things California, Valleylicious
-
Review from Monica C.
Montebello, CA
5/13/2008
Based on the LA Weekly and Yelp, I decided to try this place. My cousin did have have her 2 year old with her and we discovered it isn't the most kid friendly place. But he had a pen and paper and he was well-behaved so that wasn't too much of a problem.
The place is small but is charmingly decorated. The parking lot is tiny, but the food is worth parking around the corner for. We started our evening with the cheese balls (Pao de Queijo). It didn't take as long as it said it would on the menu, so we were all pleased. I think I expected something that would blow my mind, but they were just...good enough. My boyfriend and cousin really enjoyed them though. The 3 of us ordered the dinner with the 3 meat combo, while her husband had the milanes.
The black beans had a deliciously subtle garlic flavor. Unfortunately I am not a fan of plantains, but everyone else liked them. The calabreza (sausage) was amazing! I really would have been satisfied with all of it being calabreza. The chicken was grilled nicely and kept a juicy consistency, but it was a little too salty for my liking. I topped it with some of the tomato/onion salsa, and that seemed to compliment it very well. My boyfriend loved the chicken just the way it was prepared. I fared better than he did with the sirloin. I ordered it medium rare, and that is exactly what I received, although the cuts were a bit too chewy. But it is not like we ordered filet mignon. My boyfriend ended up with his cooked medium, and my cousin received her meat medium rare, although it should have been the other way around. They just traded off the cuts of meat that weren't eaten.
Nonetheless, I was pleased with the overall dining experience. The service was great. The singer/guitarist was soothing. My cousin and I received roses, since it was mother's day weekend. I don't have children, and the waitress noted that I was probably too young to be a mother. Bless her heart! Being in my 30's now, any little bit helps stroke the aging ego...it also helps convince me to come back again. -
Review from Michael H.
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA
8/14/2010
Talk about a hidden gem. Wow. If you can find it off of Huntington drive you will definitely be happy.
We strolled in around 8:30pm, the place was 1/2 full but i was like, OK, its Brazilian food, so how big could the crowd be? It was like stepping into someones dining room with the addition of a great musical guest. there was this guy playing the guitar and he was amazing!
so we sat down, ordered the appetizer, some sort of sausage type deal. so good. then i got a couple of Brazilian beers. super tasty and light.
I ordered the fish and my friend ordered this beef thing with beans. Tasted both. super. The service was great and quick. it was a really good experience. I had no problem tipping over 20% at this spot.
Then the topper....the dessert. they have an amazing bread pudding, nice and warm, with ice cream to top it off. wow! I will go back again if I can ever find it!
