Boteco do Manolo - Framingham — Restaurant in Framingham

Without coming off as dramatic, this was one of the best meals I’ve eaten - ever. If you are considering Manolo for lunch or dinner, or if you’ve seen it while driving on Route 9 and wondered what it was like inside, just give it a chance because you will leave so happy, so full, and planning your next visit.

First, the atmosphere. The space is open, with huge vaulted ceilings and a gorgeous view of the reservoir. We came for lunch during a snow storm in April and it was an experience to sit by the huge windows overlooking the lake and enjoy the view. I can imagine an evening anniversary or date night would be unbelievably special with the lights coming off the lake.

The service was incredible. Patricia, our server, was unbelievably knowledgeable and generous with her time. She walked us through the HUGE, unique menu and gave suggestions for sides that would match the experience we were hoping to have. The food came out fast, hot, and she explained everything that she delivered with excitement and knowledge.

Of note, the menu is in fact huge. And unique: you order family style, for either 2-4 guests, or you can order individual entrees. I loved how this allowed my family to try multiple of the beautiful unique entrees while also encouraging a super social and interactive experience. That being said if you want your own entree, they have individual options so that is no big deal.

We had the pork belly roll - holy sh*t. I’ve eaten so much pork belly in my life, and this is the best and most unique pork belly I’ve ever had. So crunchy on the outside and so soft and juicy on the inside. It’s sold as a full appetizer with yuca fries or individually as a side as one roll. An experience NOT to miss.

In the same vein, the dried beef and cheese empanadas are unparalleled. I can’t even think of enough words to describe how incredible they were. My husband and I ate in silence lol

We then shared the top sirloin (!!!!!!!!!!) and the shrimp au gratin. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve had a steak cooked correctly. This mid rare masterpiece was so juicy, it literally melted away in my mouth. I dipped it in the cheese from the shrimp au gratin and it was exceptional.

Our favorite sides were the yuca fries and the pico, which was fresh and perfect.

As we were leaving, the manager Hugo came over to ask about our experience. It was a very special touch that made the afternoon that much better. It was clear that he was not only passionate about Brazilian food, but proud of what Manolo does to provide such a high quality and authentic experience. It’s easy to want to support such special people.

As local to Framingham, we are thrilled that such a special restaurant is within a few minutes drive from our home. We can’t wait to eat through the menu this...

Noticed "new" restaurant earlier in the day, and decided to stop for dinner on the way home. There were a fair numbers of cars there, for 5pm on a Sunday night. Had no idea what we were walking in to. Once inside, we determined it was Brazilian. The decor is simple, a cross between a cafeteria and cafe in 2 very large rooms, with wooden tables and chairs and a few booths along outside walls. There seemed to be a little confusion about where to seat us, in hindsight, I think they were trying to determine whose section had a server who spoke English well. I asked for a booth and was accommodated easily. This is an Authentic Brazilian Restaurant. I have been to Brazilian Tapas before, but this is more of a family atmosphere. We got menus which were quite comprehensive, albeit written in Portuguese. Our server came and asked if we needed English menus, and grabbed some for us. 😂 He explained the menu and we ordered an appetizer and a half serving combo from the steak section. There was more than enough to feed 3 of us and we took home 3 containers with leftovers. My favorites were cheesy chicken strips and the coconut pie w ice cream. The fact we were able to agree and order 2 items that "stuffed" the 3 of us is Extremely Impressive, as we all have very different preferences for our food. It turned out to be a fun adventure and the food was great. The owner/manager even checked in w us at the end of the meal, concerned about a language barrier for us. We had no problem. Highly recommend you check it out. We will go again. Photos of food when it was first delivered, needed 2 shots to...

I dined here this weekend.and had an overall enjoyable experience, though there were a few areas that could use improvement.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hostess. However, her communication regarding seating was somewhat unclear. We were told our table would be ready shortly, but there was confusion about up charge on seating due to love entertainment . A more straightforward approach or clear instructions on where to wait would have been appreciated.

Once seated, we immediately noticed the noise level. The restaurant was bustling, and while it’s great to see a lively atmosphere, the noise was overwhelming at times. It was difficult to hold a conversation without raising our voices. Better acoustics or sound dampening measures would greatly enhance the dining experience.

The service was friendly and attentive, with our waiter checking in on us regularly. However, the pace of service was slow. It took a considerable amount of time for our orders to arrive, and even simple requests like water refills were delayed. While the staff was courteous and apologetic, quicker service would improve the overall dining experience.

Despite these issues, the food was good. and well worth the wait. With a few adjustments to communication, noise control, and service speed, this place could elevate its dining experience to match the quality of competitors...