The World Cup is here once again and this time it is being held in Brazil. If you are looking for a place to cheer for your team then read on!
Café Ronda’s new chef, Aranai Seppe, has created a special Brazilian menu that includes Bolinhos de Feijoada con Salsa and Caipirinha de Limao to kick off the World Cup. Considering the fact that chef/partner David Santos (who is the son of Portuguese immigrants) is a huge soccer fan, he is turning Louro into the headquarter to cheer on the Portugal team from June 12th-July 13th. Getting into the spirit of things, Louro will serve both Piri Piri Wings as part of its daytime menu, as well as free shots of Portuguese spirit aguardente for each goal that is scored by the country’s team. Louro will serve these daytime specials on game days until 5:30pm with small plates costing no more than $9 and larger plates costing no more than $18.
Not to be left out from the festivities, The Hyatt and The Waldorf Astoria are also joining in on the fun. For those that are looking to stay at the Hyatt, they should definitely go for the ‘Score!’ package, which will include preferential seating at Botequim. Botequim is a Brazilian pop-up restaurant by owner Chef Marco Moreira and its unique menu includes authentic Brazilian cuisine including Salgadinhos, Shellfish Moqueca, and Feijoada Completa, which will be paired with wine by Master Sommelier, Roger Dagorn. Guests will also receive two complimentary caipirinhas at the Hyatt’s lounge Singl, and two complimentary pairs of Havaianas sandals. The Waldorf Astoria New York will be setting up a television at the Peacock Alley to view the games throughout June and guests can enjoy the World Cup Cocktail that Frank Caiafa, the house mixologist, has created.
Favela Cubana is beginning the festivities on Thursday June 12th, with Brazil vs. Croatia at 4pm. They will be serving a special Soccer Sampler of empanadas, croquettes, bolinho de bacalhau (cod fish cakes), lula frita (fried calamari), and tostones (fried plantain); all of this is available for $25 and you can pair this with select beers at only $6. Over on Pop@Pod, located on 230 East 51st Street, the restaurant will be serving Brazil’s finest cachaça in their World-Cup inspired cocktails like Lady in Red, Funky Money and the Caipirinha.
Not all the restaurants are focusing on Brazil cuisine for this World Cup. If you are rooting for Japan or Korea then you should head over to Mira Sushi & Izakaya where you can eat some Asian cuisine by Chef Brian Tsao. Mira Sushi & Izakaya will be serving Kurobuta Hot Dogs, Kobe Beef Sliders and Chicken Karaage. Drink specials are $3 Kirin Drafts (usually $6) and Passion Caipirinha for $10 (usually $13). When Korea and Japan are playing you can celebrate by downing $3 Sake Bombs and $1 Hot Sake Shots. If you are cheering on Italia then you should head over to Little Italy’s Grotta Azzurra in Manhattan where they will be serving Grotta and Lemoncello Martinis. For those cheering on Brazil and don’t mind traveling Baby’s All Right, located on 146 Broadway in Brooklyn, is serving $8 frozen cocktails which includes caipirinhas for Brazil, and shandies for England, and palm-wine spritzers for Nigeria.
For this World Cup there is a little bit of everything for everyone. So make sure you have your favorite team’s jersey on and go cheer them to victory!
Twisted Talk: What team are you rooting for? Will you be checking out some of these restaurants throughout the World Cup? If so which ones? Answer in the comments below!
