Opening Look: Miss Favela in Williamsburg

When we first noted this incoming Brazilian restaurant/bar back at the beginning of January, we incorrectly referred to it as Favela. Turns out it's Miss Favela to you (and us); the South Williamsburg "Brazilian Botequim" is currently in soft opening mode. Co-owner Alain Denneulin (of Soho's French Bistro Felix) tells us they're shooting for an official opening June 2nd.

And once Miss Favela is in full swing, they'll be serving lunch and dinner until midnight and small plates until 4 a.m. The menu from chef Carlos Inacio is authentic Brazilian fare, with entrees like Moqueca de Peix e Pirao (Fish stew with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, fresh cilantro and coconut milk; served with pirao, a puree made of fish, fish stock, yucca flour and spices) and appetizers such as Carne seca come mandloca (Brazilian beef jerky with fried yucca).

Denneulin says most nights at Miss Favela will feature a DJ or live Brazilian music. And every Saturday night will be "Feijoada Day," where the "national dish" of beans, sausage, dried beef will be paired with the "national drink," caipirinha, to the sounds of live samba.

Miss Favela, 57 South 5th Street (@ Wythe), Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (718) 230-4040.

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By John Del Signore in Food on May 29, 2008 10:16 AM

Comments [rss]

asg749d

Would you assholes shut up about the name?! So what?

chupa chavez

went there tonight and the outdoor seating was nice. i really could care less about the name except if they really want it to be a slum them should drop there prices for what it is. the food was basic. they fucked up the order, but they haven't really opened yet so i give them that. probably in five years or less when they build that place across the street it will be closed down and be some other yuppie spot. whatever though the whole neighborhood will be so different really soon and better places will open. their fried yucca was good and so was the mojito i dont think i will go there again for the over priced beans and rice.

spnder

Plus there's a restaurant called Favela in Astoria that is actually run by Brazilians.

Oh never mind, you watched City of Men so you're totally justified in standing on the soap box... please.

missginsu

A lot of flack here about the name. It's not without precedent. Favela Chic is a very cool club/resto that's been around for a good while with spots in both Paris and London.

I saw this spot as I biked over the Williamsburg Bridge the other day. Looked sunny and inviting. I hope the feijoada is good...

mad_mike

while "favela" does mean the shanty/slums around brazilian cities, it can also have the connotation that "barrio" does among puerto ricans/dominicans here in nyc... ie, a crappy neighborhood that we call home.

hence the more typical dishes like feijoada, moqueca (as opposed to churrascaria, fusion sushi, etc)

matty

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this name offensive.

Having watched the entire series of City of Men I can say that I don't think a Favela is something to be celebrated.

thedroog

miss slum? uh, yeah, cool. fitting name for a williamsburg hipster 'let's try to look and sound cool' spot. absurd.

Kojak

Who cares? It sounds trendy and FAB. Thats what matters.

Toby von Meistersinger

Favela is probably not the best name to use for a restaurant, since it basically means slum/shanty town.

mookie

how awesome to name a barely affordable yuppie hangout 'favela!' if people knew what a 'favela' actually is (a forgotten, violence/poverty-ridden slum the likes of which gringos have never witnessed) they'd realize that only a dipshit would give their restaurant such an offensive name. salud!