Cafe Brazil-Denver Restaurant Review

BY LISA J. SHULTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I love different types of ethnic foods, and I had heard Cafe Brazil was a restaurant worth visiting. I arrived on a Saturday night for my first experience to what was described as a family run site for dinnertime fiestas with flowing rum, robust Brazilian flavors and folk art.

The ambiance is festive and lively upon entering. Dishes are from Northern Brazil in the region of Bahia. I started with the rum cocktail Caipirinha. It was sweet but not overly so.

I had both the appetizer special and the dinner special. The appetizer was four round balls with sweet potatoes and other ingredients of which I cannot recall, but I remember they were delicious. The entrée I selected was grouper with shrimp, and I ate every bite.

Located at 4408 Lowell Blvd in Denver, Cafe Brazil is open 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. I look forward to returning to this restaurant again! Find out more about them at cafebrazildenver.com

Lisa J. Shultz is a Denver native. She loves to inspire exploration of Denver in her book Essential Denver. Find out more about her and her book at EssentialDenver.com or call her at 303-881-9338.

Summer Crostini’s 6 Ways

I wanted to share this recipe from an amazing woman, Tieghan Gerard. She lives here in Colorado and her website is www.halfbakedharvest.com I started following her before she even moved to Colorado. Her recipes are not for any type of diet, but I like to share her website because she makes REAL food. She uses lots of fresh herbs, vegetables and meats in various ways. You will be very impressed with her site. This one was something she put together before the 4th of July one year. You don’t have to make all these different crostini’s, or do and have your friends or family tell you their favorites!

Crostini 1: crusty grilled sourdough bread, smashed avocado, charred corn, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, crumbled feta, lemon zest, kosher salt + pepper. This one is basically summer on toast. You can’t beat its simpler classic flavors. Everyone love it.

Crostini 2: crusty grilled sourdough bread, fig preserves, burrata cheese, prosciutto, fresh fig, fresh thyme + basil, flaky salt + pepper and a drizzle of honey (or honeycomb). Possibly my favorite combo of all, this one is just mouth-wateringly GOOD.