Boteco - Restaurante Brasileiro — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Of all the fancy and multi-cuisine restaurants scattered across the city, the point of being a Brazilian cuisine serving restaurant itself is a major unique point for Boteco. The semi-tropical and European atmosphere of this restaurant nestled opposite to the well-known Garuda Mall, is quite eye-pleasing and calming. Not a place for business talks or work-related celebrations but rather meant for a quiet and informal meal. I visited this restaurant on a silent Tuesday afternoon with a friend. While the staff were attentive, it was entirely forgettable because there wasn’t much the waiters did for ours or any other table as far as I’ve noticed. The menu was quite unique and vast but isn’t exactly Brazilian enough given that there was a great influence of European cuisine especially that of Italian, Spanish and French and also a bit of Mexican. Nevertheless, there was still enough of the cuisine-in-question to try. We have settled for the Grilled Paneer with Ratatouille and Polenta, the Jalapeño and Cheese Pao De Queijo, The Grilled Chicken Skewer with BBQ rub, Curry Baiano and the Quindim. The Grilled Paneer with Ratatouille and Polenta was a flawless mix of Italian and French Cuisines. If I may be so controversial, the proportion of Grilled Paneer to the ratatouille and polenta lent itself to being close cousin of Risotto. Not enough Ratatouille or grilled and herbed vegetables and the dish could use another finger of grilled Paneer. However, the flavours were subtle and clean although the polenta was excessive and slightly bland and could use a but of kick from the brined olives and tangy jalapeños or tomatoes. Coming to the Cheese and Jalapeño Pao De Quiejo was basically a Brazilian Bread of the size of Profiterole made with Tapioca flour and Dutch Gouda Cheese, in this case, sandwiching a layer of Jalapeños and rich Cream Cheese. It was a savour-able and delightful dish with clean flavours yet again and defined textures. I definitely loved the texture of the bread, it was slightly tough on the outside but incredibly moreish and chewy on the inside with a great bit of aeration. The Grilled Chicken Skewer dish according to my friend was rather average and not exactly exciting enough regardless of the BBQ rub and the numerous sides and condiments complementing the dish. There was a lot more the dish could use and it was a bit mundane and troublesome for my friend to finish the dish. And unfortunately the generosity of the dish left my friend with bigger eyes and a smaller stomach. So, it would be better to not go for it unless one knows what to expect with an empty stomach. The Curry Baiano with Rice was definitely a tropical affair. Not sure if it was exactly how Brazilians would make in its vegetarian form but it reminded me of the spicier version of Veg Caldin from a Goan Restaurant. It was a myriad of vegetables like Cauliflower, Sweet Corn, Beans and Potatoes and Paneer in a red-coloured coconut-base gravy topped with Shredded Spinach and a few other greens. It was mild, chunky, flavoursome and well seasoned. This Brazilian Dish does steal the show with its Tropical flavours and Brazilian flavours but is a close cousin to Goa’s Caldin/Xacuti with Rice. Coming to the dessert, it was another tropical Brazilian celebration called the Quindim, A baked Custard with Coconut and a little crumble on the side. The flavours of coconut, sugar and milky richness within the custard was a blissful marriage. It was all things Tropical and to make me a happy person. However, the texture of the custard dome was slightly firmer and denser than expected and I would’ve liked it creamier. However, I still have the heart to crown the dessert as the Dish of the Day and it is better than chewing on a pile of Raffaello Bonbons sans the white chocolate. All in all, Boteco is a unique restaurant serving a lesser-known cuisine with a grand Brazilian idea on a plate. While the intent is flawless and delectable, the execution has definitely faltered in many ways. Nonetheless, no dish was bad and had potential to be...

Review by Team Ghatotkatcha Brazil in Bengaluru! Yes, this new place in Central Bangalore, Boteco: Restaurante Brasileiro translating to a neighbourhood bar has become the talk of the town in Namma Ooru. The chic ambiance here represents Brazil. They boast as the country's first Brazilian themed Restaurant. This place has the very essence Brazil, the decor represents Brazil as a whole, the low ceiling lamps, porticos, blue theme, arches which we see in the Brazilian architecture, portraits representing the Nationality, like various carnivals, pop singers. The floor is also a bit different and not the usual, it's roughly smooth.

Basically, when you are in a casual bar in Brazil, you get served Pão De Queuo, this is a cheese bread served across all the bars in Brazil and can be called a bar staple too, okay let's call it Brazilian Chakna. The Pãos are made using cassava flour and cheese, well the execution is brilliant, simple and humble. Tapioca and cheese, never expected such amazing wonders with this combination. When you pop one of the Pãos, pair it with a sip of Popcorn G&T, it would be a paradise on the palate. Popcorn, some cold brew coffee, with a mix of G&T, a fantastic concoction though. Chicken Coxinha, a South American way of Nuggets, where minced chicken is shaped as a ball with a not so thick layer of dough, it's perfect for a rainy afternoon. Bolinho de Aipim, another bar snack with deep fried cassava is not to be missed.

Brazilian cuisine is basically derived from the settlements there. Hence has a touch of Portugese, many European countries and recently evolved Japanese cuisine from 200 years approximately. The Entradas are just a teaser for the culinary diversity.

Crab lovers can go for a treat with the Casquinha De Siri. The show stealer today was the Beetroot ravioli, ravioli shaped beetroot is filled with goat cheese and roasted almonds, and a sprinkle of saffron sauce, the crunch is felt first then the beetroot stays the whole time while the goat cheese is also processed.

Talking about the mains, we have a feast in itself. Started off with Rocambole de Espinafre, it's a simple spinach roll, filled with veggies and cheese on the base of in house tomato sauce, you keep adding more tomato sauce for more tartiness. Camarão Carioca, the dish with Japanese influence, where prawns are tossed in white wine, butter and garlic and served with a side of spinach dumplings. The prawns are fresh, perfectly cooked and just melts in, wine is dominated by butter garlic flavour and gives a different kind balance. The spinach dumplings prove to be a perfect side. Grilled Chicken, when you do not wish to have steak, here is a grilled chicken. Served with breads, mushrooms, paprika and huge number of sauces, it's delightful.

For desserts, we can have the lemon mousse, quindim or the Brazilian baked custard...

We landed at the Boteco on a Sunday afternoon, after getting a table confirmed on our second attempt. We were escorted to our table on the first floor, passing a ground floor grandly decorated with fresco style wall deco. Soon after we were seated, Dammar, who was certified by Chef Guto Souza as the best, arrived. He and rest of the staff who served us during the next couple of hours were very courteous, attentive and knowledgeable about the fare on offer. Dammar greatly helped us with choosing the right dish combination, and number of orders since portion sizes are always a challenge at a new restaurant. Chef Guto Souza was very friendly and visited us couple of times, and he himself served us the Mega Seafood Platter.

We, a group of seven, have tried various starters, variety of steaks and a mega seafood platter, topping it all with some specialty desserts. Few items that need special mention are the cheese bread starter Pao De Quejo, dried meet steak Escondidinho, skewered steak Churrasco De Steak, and the Mega Seafood Platter. The steaks were juicy and served with an assorted array of sides and condiments, flavors of which will tickle all your taste buds. The Mega Seafood Platter was one heck of a platter and all seven of us had a great feast out of it from the lavish spread of prawns, mushrooms, crab cakes, large servings of grilled fish and host of exotic vegetables. Really worth a try if you are a decent sized group. A dessert that needs special mention is Quindim, the fresh coconut taste of which was truly awakening to the senses. Not to miss are the many Cassava flour preparations and fries which are quite unique in their flavor.

Boteco was the perfect answer to our search for a good quality Brazilian place after our experience with Churrascaria Brazil, couple of years back in Kammanahalli area. The only thing missing at Boteco is the walking churrasco skewer from which meat is carved into your plate. I hope Boteco will add that to their offerings soon.

Not to worry if you're not a meat eater, there are quire a few options on the seafood side and on the vegetarian side as well. But, look at the online menu card before your visit to ensure you don't land up at the restaurant and then realize that the offerings are not to your taste. There is a valet parking at the restaurant. If you are looking for self parking, there is a lot right opposite the property, then Garuda Mall diagonally opposite and Central Mall at Commissariat and Residency crossing.

Overall, an excellent place to try some of the unique and specialty Brazilian offerings, especially if you're looking for a decent place serving quality meat...