Eating Out - Portuguese
Eating Out CompetitionIt’s time for a feast because Sydney Weekender is giving away a meal for two at Viva Goa AND Braza Churrascaria. All you’ve got to do to be in the running is call our competition line on 1902 55 77 08 and good luck! M.NET 55 cents max call cost. Mobile phones extra. Lines close 19/06/08 at midnight NSW permit number: LTPM 07/20585, ACT permit number TP07/05446 Terms and conditions are available by contacting The Seven Network |
* Winners published in The Australian on Monday 30th June, 2008.
Viva Goa
The restaurant itself is in a heritage cottage that was built in 1870. It’s made from clinker bricks and was renovated and resurrected when Viva Goa set up shop. The only reason the building wasn’t demolished is that squatters occupied it in the 70s and because it’s got such a prominent local history, the people of Pyrmont rallied to save it. The block this cottage is on is the only block in Pyrmont that is heritage listed.
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Viva Goa has maintained the heritage nature of the cottage and many who dine here do so because they used to live here and have a connection with the place.
Although Viva Goa has a great Australian history attached to it, Gus, the owner, makes sure it keeps its Goan roots. This is obvious by the Goan Art that hangs on the walls done by Mario Miranda a Goan/Portuguese artist.
Viva Goa is primarily a family restaurant that attracts locals. The restaurant also sees a lot of Goan and Portuguese customers who love to eat out here on the weekend.
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Some of the dishes you may find on the menu:
Entree
- Spicy Octopus Balchao sauce flavoured with jaggery, spices, malt vinegar and sun dried shrimp
- Mixed Entrée Platter with passion fruit and chilli oysters, vegetable pan rolls, slow roasted pork belly and semolina crumbed redfish fillets
Main
- Chicken Peri-Peri with a chilli garlic paste derived from the peri-peri chilli
- Crab Cafreal with stone ground mint, coriander & green chilli paste which has a gentle spice hit tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves
- Pork Vin’dalho meaning wine & garlic. Lean pork simmered with richly flavoured vinegar infused with chilli and garlic
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More Information Viva Goa 2 Scott St, Pyrmont Telephone: (02) 9566 1311 Lunch is on Tuesday to Friday and Dinner is on every night. Mains start from $17. |
Prices correct as at 14/06/08
Braza Churrascaria
This place is Brazilian barbecue and it’s all about MEAT MEAT MEAT.
Churrasco, which means Barbecue, was originated many years ago in a region south of Brazil, called the "Pampas Gaúchos", where still today you will find one of the most precious cattle in the world.
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The idea of skewering the big pieces of meat came from the gaúchos: the cowboys of the "Pampas". They used to spend many days and weeks away from home, transporting, and working with the cattle. The Churrasco came as a practical way of having a meal, because the only tools needed were a sharp knife, a nice and strong wooden stick, a big piece of meat, rock salt and a bone fire, or as they used to call..."um fogo de chão".
The meat used to be cut into small pieces and passed around, and people would help themselves to however much they wanted. A tradition that led to the “rodizio”, the “Gaucho” method of barbecue.
Nowadays, the churrasco is no longer just a regional meal. It has spread to all four corners of Brazil, becoming a strong part of the Brazilian culture.
At first glance the menu at Braza Churrascaria can be confusing, but once you’re in the know it’s simple. Basically, you’ve got a little wooden egg-timer looking gadget on your table. One end is red, the other green. If you’re hungry you put the green side up, if you’re full and can’t handle any more meat, the red side goes up. If you need a break between (and it is recommended you take a few!) just lay the egg-timer on its side.
Eating at Braza is a very interactive way of dining because as the waiters slice the meat off from their skewers and you grab it with the tongs provided. What is even better than the food here is the price – it’s all you can eat for just $38 per person (desserts and drinks are extra)! That means you can eat as much as you want and take your time about it.
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Some of the dishes you may find on the menu:
Churrasco
- A selection of skewers including beef rump cap, beef rump, beef rib, flank steak, chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken heart, lamb rump, lamb leg, pork sausage South American style, pork leg , pork neck and pork ribs, fish, prawns pineapple, cheese and garlic bread.
Dessert
- Docinhos Variados Brazilian petit four
- Mouse de maracuja passion fruit mousse w/ passion fruit sorbet
- Brazilian coffee
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More Information Braza Churrascaria 13 Norton St, Leichhardt Telephone: (02) 9572 7921 Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. It’s all you can eat for a flat $38 per person (desserts extra) |
Prices correct as at 14/06/08