Barzinho

Note: Barzinho closed in August 2011.

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 Barzinho opened quietly not long ago in TriBeCa. In a neighborhood known for splashy restaurants, this one flew under the radar. I’ve found no announcements in the usual sources. A liquor license application dated October 2009 is still pending; beer and wine are available now.

The cuisine is Brazilian, and inexpensive. The space is bare-bones, to say the least. With its mismatched furniture and minimal décor, it could be somebody’s basement rec room. I wasn’t up for a full meal, but I ordered two snacks—certainly not sufficient to reach any conclusions about the place.

Brazilian sausage (above left) came from a specialist butcher in New Jersey (I asked), but they tasted just like Bob Evans or IHOP.

Yuca, also called Cassava, is the world’s third most-common source of calories, after rice and wheat, and much favored in lesser developed countries. An order of fried yuca (above right) made clear why it hasn’t become popular in the U.S. The mushy and largely flavorless starch will be nobody’s favorite substitute for french fries.

There were only about three customers, but I visited quite early—around 5:30 p.m. As I was leaving, a live Brazilian band (guitar, percussion, vocal) was starting to play. I thought: this might not be so bad! But it was time for me to go, and I caught only a snatch of it.

I wasn’t wowed by either of the appetizers I tried, but they may have been an unrepresentative sample. Barzinho deserves another chance.

Barzinho (225 West Broadway, south of White Street, TriBeCa)

Comments

[dc]

I just walked in the door from Barzihno and I will definitely be going back. The atmosphere is comfortable and far from pretentious as many of the restaurants in the neighborhood can be. We ordered the cheese bread to start which was delicious. I wouldn't consider it a big appetizer but it was nice and light to start with and definitely tasty. For our entrees we had the steak and the chicken stroganoff. Both we served with rice and another side and both were so delicous. I usually would not be a fan of plain white rice, but this rice was different. It was fluffy and tasty on its own, it did not seem like any flavoring was added to it- at least if there was, it was not overpowering. The steak was cooked well and very tasty. There was some sort of diced tomato side with it that I think was listed as a "country vinagrette" on the menu as it definitely tasted of vinegar. It was very good- almost like a pico de gallo minus the cilantro and lime, etc. Just tasted like tomato and vinegar and it was so good to mix with the rice and steak. My fiance got the stroganoff which was in a cream type sauce and was unbelievable. It also came with rice and I think the thin fried strips with it may have been yuca but I cant remember what was listed on the menu. I would be torn the next time I go to order that or the steak again! Two men came in and sat down next to us just after we finished dinner and ordered the steak. Being nosy, I told them I had overheard them ordering and that the steak was so good. One man told me he has had it everytime he has been in there so I think that is saying something. For drinks we had a beer and I had 2 glasses of some Brazillian Chardonnay which was probably one of the best Chardonnays I have ever had.

Obviously we enjoyed the meal we had and would recommend anyone to try it! It is mid-week but there was still live music (a singer/guitar player and a tamborine/triangle player) which was a nice, authentic touch. If you get a chance, definitely try it. I know I will be going back!