Restaurant of the Week

BRASILLIANVILLE CAFÉ & GRILL
43-12 34th Avenue, Astoria 718.472.0090
S ample some of Brazil's best dishes and famous barbecued meats at Brasillianaille Café & Grill, located on 34th Avenue in Astoria. The chefs at Brasillianaille Grill prepare an elaborate buffet

featuring the diverse array of dishes from this

multi-cultural country. The "churrasca" keeps several skewers of meat, chicken and sausage cooking to juicy perfection, just waiting to be sliced and served sizzling hot.

On a recent weeknight, dozens of diners lined up for these wonderful dishes, and the grill man sliced up some of Brazil's best. Owner Deilson Teixeira opened his Café & Grill about four years ago, and works tirelessly to keep his steady customers and new customers happy. Just behind the casual dining room is a steam table laden with homemade specialties, many of which change each day to satisfy the throngs of regular diners. This night, a Brazilian specialty called "acaraje" was featured, made with lots of beans, shrimp and codfish in a flavorful sauce. Pay just $3.99 per pound for a dazzling buffet of entrées and side dishes that includes tender grilled chicken breasts and chicken Francese, homemade manicotti and rich lasagna, owing to a sizable Italian population residing in Brazil. Okra sautéed with garlic, sweet plantains, sweet potato casserole and plenty of fluffy rice and beans nod to Brazil's African roots. Take a big spoonful of chicken fricassee and pour it over fluffy white rice for a real treat.

There's also kingfish sautéed with green and red bell pepper and a tropical dish of fresh shrimp with yucca and coconut milk. Just next to the steam table of hot entrées lies a salad bar where you can help yourself to freshly tossed salads, marinated beets, cold seafood salad, couscous with vegetables, Russian style potato salad and more. Their vinaigrette dressing goes well on the fabulous meats from the churassca. For just $4.99 per pound, you can add to the buffet with the legendary

meats from the grill. The expert grill man tends to the churrasca, which holds giant steel skewers laced with the finest beef, pork, chicken and sausage, slow roasted over an open flame. We sampled sublimely tender filet of beef tenderloin called "picanha", that is sliced to order off the skewer, and then replaced for more slow- cooking. Next, we tried the beef short ribs which fell off the bone and melted in our mouths. Marinated skirt steak is also a meat lover's dream. A decadent treat is tender pork tenderloin wrapped in smoky bacon made crisp over the open flame. There are also sweet and flavorful barbecued sausages,

in both pork and chicken varieties and tender chicken legs. You can also order meat alone for just $6.99 per pound, a real bargain when you consider that all the work has been done for you. This is a great option for apartment dwellers who cannot barbecue themselves. Just take it home and dinner is made. All these delectable meats and side dishes go very well with icy cold Brazilian beer or fruity sodas.

At lunchtime, the Brasillianaille Café & Grill offers hefty sandwiches made on chewy rolls filled with sliced beef, pork and chicken. An array of homemade soups is available each day. You can even pick out a chicken croquette or empanada from their bakery section to enjoy as an appetizer or a light snack.

Save room for dessert with irresistible choices such as creamy tiramisu, coconut cake, passion fruit mousse and flan with caramelized sugar. The self-serve concept is great because you select just what you want, and pay for the amount you take. You can eat in the clean, comfortable dining room or take home a feast for your family and friends and leave the barbecuing to the master grill man.

Brasillianaille Café & Grill will be celebrating Brazil's Independence Day on September 7th, along with the proud Brazilian community here in Queens. Celebrate with a great Brazilian meal at Brasillianaille Café & Grill in Astoria. Cash only please.