Favela – Potts Point / Kings Cross
Well, another one’s bit the dust – Favela is no more. The space has now been taken over by a new bar called The Village. I’ve yet to review it (it seemed too light, bright and wholesome for me the last time I went by) but I’ll update this when I do.
Named after the hillside slums of Rio De Janeiro (if you’ve seen City of God you’ll know what we mean), Favela is a cross between a bar, a restaurant and a dance club that’s located off Roslyn Avenue in the Cross, right where a squat used to be (inspiring the name).
Inside, however, the atmosphere is more glam than sham. One room is covered completely with gold tiles, the upstairs dance floor has a ceiling covered with pulsating lights, and the overall feel is of a wealthy South American billionaire’s den. It really feels more like a scene from Blow than City of God, right down to the painting of two naked women pleasuring each other in the men’s bathroom.
Despite the Latino vibe, however, up until now the food menu has been Asian-inspired but all that’s changed with the introduction of the churrasco menu. This is a Brazilian barbecue that, for $35 per person, sees a seemingly endless array of meat that’s been roasted on skewers brought to your table (the meat includes sausages, lamb, pork, sirloin, chicken, scotch fillet and eye fillet) along with roasted haloumi cheese afterwards. The BBQ is great – flavoursome and succulent – but it’s the feijoada that’s served with it that’s the treat for me. This is a black-bean stew served with rice that’s a weekly staple in Brazil and, after getting addicted to it in Rio, I’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms up until now. There’s also a vegetarian option for $22 that includes risotto, capsicum and sliced tomatoes.
This site is called Bar Zine and not Food Zine, however, so let’s get on to the drinks. The main cocktail here is the caipirinha (cachaca, muddled limes and sugar), which costs $32 for a jug. We opt for the blueberry flavoured one (other flavours include blackberry, raspberry and strawberry) and it’s good – it’s not too sweet or sour and brings back happy South American memories. Other drinks available here are the suitably Latin daiquiri and mojito.
In some ways it’s hard to categorise Favela, as it’s an upmarket club that provides what’s essentially an all-you-can eat BBQ – which is an odd combination. We’re not sure if it will take off but, if you’re craving some Brazilian food and cocktails, you could do worse than to check this place out.
Favela, 1 Kellett Way, Potts Point NSW. Phone 9375 1640 or email restaurant@favela.com.au for bookings. Otherwise see www.favela.com.au The churrascaria BBQ runs Thursday to Sunday for 7pm and 9pm seatings. Dirty Pretty Jewels perform every Friday night.
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate Favela?
loading...
Related posts:
