Rate-A-Restaurant, #153 in a series

(Yelp photo by Mike L.)

Restaurant: Tropicalia Brazilian Grill

Location: 1966 Hillhurst Avenue (Los Feliz)

Type of restaurant: Brazilian

We stipulated: I had a $50 gift certificate to Tropicalia, which I got from pledging with KCRW back in August. I usually forget to use these things before they expire, so I was't going to let that happen again.

They stipulated: That the gift certificate only be used on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.


Braziribs

What I ordered: Appetizer: Empanadas (one chicken -- $2.29, one cheese and palmito -- $2.79) Maria: "Braziribs" (which, strangely, is trademarked) -- Marinated boneless short ribs, braised for 4 hours with Brazilian and California pepper sauce served over fried polenta with pao de queijo -- $12.99. Mike: Moqueca de Peixe (Seafood Specialty) -- Popular northern Brazilian delicacy, made with cilantro, onions, tomatoes, dende oil and coconut milk sauce. Served with Brazilian rice and pao de queijo. I got it with shrimp -- $12.99.


Moqueca de Peixe

High point: The portions were large -- so much so, it also served as my dinner the following night. (That appeals to the cheap side in me.) The short ribs were also quite tasty. Service was great and attentive; we immediately got a table, and the food came quickly as well. Also loved the peppery salsa that came with the empanadas.

Low point: I liked the seafood specialty, but the sauce was a tad too much.


Empanadas

Overall impression: Really nice spot, made even better by sharing quarters with sibling Vinoteca Farfalla, which we also like. Prices are good, and it's nice to have a solid Brazilian joint so close by.

Chance we will go back: More than a good chance, since we still have some credit on that KCRW gift certificate!

(For more than 150 restaurant reviews, visit Franklin Avenue's companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.)