Description: Don't let the name fool you, this isn't just a coffee shop in NY. It’s so much more--their menu says, "A classic original American diner with a Brazilian twist." This restaurant is part of the Gotham City Restaurant Group, which owns many formidable restaurants around New York. From the outside this corner locale looks like a small place to grab a bite to eat in the Union Square District.
Upon entering you can see the bar scene, not crazy but full of NYUers and a flurry of Union Square passersby.
We were one of the passersby (Aug 2004); I read on the net that this place is past its prime. My friend remembered that this place was where a few models got their start in the business. And now the waitresses are the out-of-work models who traditionally give bad service and are known for their snobbishness.
Actually, I found the ambience pretty cool, a dining area of smaller tables and booths along the wall. It’s certainly nothing to rave about, but a nice place to sit down and have a bite/drink.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Brazilian twist (as you can see from my other reviews- I love Brazilian). I saw familiar drinks on the menu--caipirinhas, cacacha, etc. I even saw feijoada - but this isn't the place for that!
The place was busy but quiet, we had a table for two and enjoyed a few drinks and an appetizer or two. It was fine, nothing memorable, as the internet review also said. By the way, our waitress was nice, not snobbish (okay, maybe once she walked by without acknowledging my raised arm). She was tall and thin but by no means a model look. Her service skills were okay, but don't talk to her in Portuguese to order your drink. She has no clue! POINT to your selections!!
The nicest part of the evening was after an hour they dim the lights and it was really pretty…almost romantic. I was with my girlfriend, so that didn't apply as it would have with my hubby. Plenty of couples (dates even), and an assorted mix of families and friends.
Favorite Dish:
We orderd caipirinhas and a batida de maracujua (passion fruit frozen shake with cacacha). Very good!
We also ordered fried calamari (actually quite good, but we didn't like the dipping sauce) and coconut shrimp (okay) with a mango dipping sauce.
You don't go here for the food folks, just a nice refreshing drink!
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