BarBossa
- Nearest Transit:
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
Bowery (J, M)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
20 Reviews for BarBossa
A delightful Brasilian-inspired place to go for Brunch while in Nolita -- small, cozy, informal and relaxing -- this is a place to sit and linger a while by yourself or with a loved one over a Caipirinha or Guarana on the rocks -- not meet up with your Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda-wanna be friends (you can wait on line at Cafe Habana or Public for that).
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I have to say that I didn't know this place was Brazilian until I read it here! Then again, I'm known to be a bit "spacey". Anyway, no matter what it was I very much enjoyed it! Warm and friendly atmosphere, the wait staff was in a good mood and helpful.
It's a cozy place, so I'd say it's best for a party of two. It is quiet enough to have a pleasant conversation, but not so quiet that you feel like you're not out on the town. There's also very good people watching through the large open windows if you're flying solo!
As for the food, some might say it's a bit pricey since they don't give giant American-sized portions. My sandwich was the perfect thing to share with my friend for something light. It was the type of sandwich you couldn't order at any old deli or make at home lest you were very motivated. So, I highly recommend their sandwiches which are around 9-10 dollars. Very tasty, original flavors, fresh bread. Yum!
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Tiny -- almost delicate -- with a touch of old world sensibility and refinement, from the petite water glasses to the occasional soccer jerseys blowing in the breeze near the back of the room. BarBossa is a place where the old country and new sentiments intermingle in a refined-meets-comfortable manner, and that has to be at least one of the reasons I end up pulling up a chair here each time I'm in the city.
It's a setup that reminds you to be in the moment but seldom in a hurry, and that's a careful balance not each restaurant can pull off. I tend to end up sampling the Mango Chicken Curry (I mean, seriously, what's not to like), gazing out upon Nolita and inevitably plotting a next move. This kind of environment begs a little experimentation, and in my experience, isn't that half the fun? There's not much like sampling and watching the shade hit the buildings opposite, where the last thing you note is the actual time.
Because sometimes, just because, the proof isn't in the pudding or the most expedient result. Sometimes, just because, it's more about how you lose yourself in between.
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Cute but small space, and I agree with other reviewers: not exactly Brazilian, only a few random pieces and a TV continuously plays Carnaval footage. We fully enjoyed our mixed drinks: passion fruit mojito, passion fruit caipirinha, and strawberry mojito. =) Great size for the price. But our entrees took too long and we had to ask for bread in the mean time. My friend did not enjoy her cod dish, olives overpowered everything. The beef in my braised beef and polenta dish tasted too much like vinegar. It also is not a Brazilian restaurant per se but an Italian join w a few random Brazilian dishes. So for a pure Brazilian meal, I'd go elsewhere.
One of my favorite places. They serve this wonderful drink called the Caipirinha!
It's Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaa, sugar and lime. They can also make it with sake-- this is the best part for me. The Caipirinha with Jalapeno is fantastic.
Great ambiance, soft candle-lit lighting, nice brazilian music that's not too loud. The space is small but comfortable and easily accomodates both big and small groups (a nice larger table tucked away in the back is great for a large group). I can easily become a regular here.
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Homemade fennel sausage! Sausages made in-house. Yes, really. They make their own sausage. With fennel!
Get the homemade fennel sausage sandwich with cheese and salsa. It comes on a grilled baguette - they even cut the top of the baguette off so that when you bite into it, you don't cut or scrape the roof of your mouth. I personally think that's a nice little touch.
The roasted chicken salad is also really good. It comes with some variety of nut (slivered almonds?), little orange slices and pecorino. Very good and seems to be good for you too.
They also serve breakfast until 4pm which is good for egg lovers.
Most importantly, this place didn't used to serve hard booze but they do now. Yay! Real caipirinhas!
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Cute place for a light bite, a little small, but that made it intimate and the food was just what I thought it was going to be, no surprises, just good.
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two words, "strawberry mojito!" although i've never eaten here, my friends and i regularly visit this place in the spring and summer for the best strawberry mojitos we've ever had. be sure to ask the bartender for a spoon so you can eat all the fresh strawberries at the bottom :)
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Caipirinhas that go straight to your skull.
Yes please.
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I'm a fan. Such a cute neighborhood spot that I've been able to go with a friend and split a sandwich, salad (i think) and each have a glass of wine and it's a "cheap dinner".
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It was a pleasure dining here at Barbossa. We came in on the early side of a Saturday night, and even though the waitstaff was expecting several large parties, they were able to work out a four-top for the 3 of us. They were really friendly and checked on us often. They were knowledgeable about the menu and were able to make suggestions.
The bar crowd was colorful and laid back. It is a great people-watching joint, since the space is what you would call "cozy". My food was great-- especially the baked crab. Mmmm, delish.
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This place is sweet. It is sweet and small and quaint, and it could even be romantic with the right person. There's a special little back room that sits about eight, and it's the perfect place to bring your best friends and feel like you are unto yourselves in your own private, warm, candlelit world. So, I like the ambiance, but how's the food?
It's a great deal. Try the steak salad. The garnish of pico de gallio and avacado is excellent, and, that night, the steak medallions were wonderfully tender... it could be the best thing on the menu. The mango chicken curry is worth tasting-- maybe a second to the salad. The pork sandwich with red peppers, gruyere and jalapeno pepper-- it's out of this world, even though it is more or less a snack. Everything is very active on your tongue-- going quite well with the drink selection.
The sangria is good-- but not great. On the other hand, the beer selection is very South american and also Latin making it interesting. And, the mojito: super. How do I know all this with only one visit? Try and share, try and share...
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Tiny space, but great atmosphere. The menu is eclectic - but not too many choices, especially for those with an unrefined palate. Be adventurous and try some of the great South American flavoured dishes. Really only good for max 4 people, although they have one large table in the back that can sit 6 or 8. I wouldn't recommend it for a date - it's cozy, but too informal I think.
Dinner for 4 with 4 glasses of Pinot, a bruschetta appetizer & the Salmon with Kalamate Olives Special came to $47pp.
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This is a great after work spot. I much prefer going here for it's bar qualities than the food. The food is good, just nothing special, better to have appetizers than dinner I would say. They do drinks much, much better. They have a nice selection of beer and wine and they make seasonal cocktails, which is a welcome treat. You'll see them behind the lil' bar working with the pestle to mash up mint and fruits to pour into fresh bevvies.
The staff is quite attentive, making sure they ask you if you want a refill before you're glass is empty; a rarity, I think in the SOHO area. So just prepare to get really, really drunk (no, I mean REALLY DRUNK) and then eat some tasty proveleta that's delivered to you in a mini skillet.
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It's a really tiny space, very family feel, sort of the place you just like to walk into (but unfortunately it's a popular spot so you should call ahead unless eating early or late).
The Hot Skillets are the way to go at dinner, like the Fresh Calabreza Sausage with Onions, or the Spicy Lemon Shrimp. I thought the Baked Crab was not really that good, but I'd recommend the Watercress Salad - also with sausage - and goat cheese, even as a meal.
The Mango Chicken Curry is a house favorite, and their Daily Specials are always worth a listen.
A friend of mine said that their French Toast at brunch is a nice way to start out your day.
Sangria by the pitcher is another sure thing, and extra points for carrying Brahma Beer!
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Great little comfortabe spot. Simple and delicious food, very nice staff, affordable, great location, and very laid back. Brunch is off the chain!
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5 stars for the strawberry & mint mojito, the very cool bartender & the futbol deco!
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Pint size NoLIta restaurant that is a welcome addition to the scene. Amazing dishes -- like the skillets featuring calamari and the agentinian sausage-- are affordable and delectable. The wine list to wash the fairly priced food is great! Seriously a find in this trendy area. The service is knowledgeable, and the decor is warm and inviting. There's even a cool back area for large parties to dine. LOVE IT!
Nice addition to the growing Nolita restaurant scene. Tasty food at palatable prices. Not the largest spot on the block, but good enough for groups...call ahead?
We celebrated my cousin's 24th birthday at this cozy little restaurant last night and everyone enjoyed the meal -- from appetizers (recommend the spicy lemon shrimp) to the last bite of our guinness dark chocolate cake!
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