Brazakaya, Portland’s new Brazilian-Izakaya restaurant, now open for takeout! The first-of-it’s kind menu merges Chef/Owner Marlon Alonso’s Brazilian heritage with his love of Japanese drinking food. Yakitori (grilled skewers) such as Beef Flank Steak ($6.50) and Chicken Thighs ($4.50) combine Brazilian flavor with Japanese technique, and are the perfect drinking food for long COVID nights in. Combine them with inventive small plates such as Creamy Polenta with shiitake mushrooms ($7), chef’s favorite. Or pick mains like Picanha Steak ($21) 6oz of famous brazilian steak cut (prime part of the top sirloin) that arrives at your door with white rice, black beans, collard greens, farofa (crunchy cassava flour) and brazilian salsa. Think of it as the quintessential Brazilian dinner.
Portland foodies will also thrill over inventive sides like Japanese Potato Salad with pickles ($6.50) and the Lamb Meatball skewer ($8). Vegetarians and vegans can always count on Tofu Skewers ($4.50), Brazakaya Fried Rice (10.95) and the Fried Brussels Sprouts with a ginger scallion sauce ($7). “It’s hard to find Brazilian cuisine outside of the all-you-can-eat steakhouse chains in Portland. Brazakaya is an affordable alternative in the Portland food scene,” says Alonso. The menu also includes Brazilian and Japanese drinks and snacks that thrill those “in the know:” Brigadeiro (popular chocolate dessert – $3), Pocari Sweat (Japanese sports drink – $6), and Guarana (Amazonian berry-flavored soda – $3.50)
“I’ve already met so many happy Brazilian customers and connoisseurs of Japanese Izakaya in the months since Brazakaya’s opening. While cooking is my passion, the true meaning of hospitality is about people-to-people connections. How amazing that, with all the ghost-kitchen technology, even during COVID I can interact with customers online and forge new relationships!”
Alonso, a Chef and Sommelier by trade who planned to open a brick-and-mortar Brazakaya pre-COVID, recently gave up the Manhattan Sommelier lifestyle to make wine in the Willamette Valley with world-renowned Tendril Wine Cellars. He can’t wait to pour you a glass of Tendril Extrovert Pinot Noir paired with the Churrasco Plate ($45.95) in person, when all this is through.
Restaurant Highlights:
Ways to Enjoy: Take Out, Delivery, and Catering, (picnic tables available for pick-up orders). Delivery thru: UberEats, DoorDash, GrubHub
Ratings: 4.9 on UberEats (100+ ratings)
Hours: M,T,Th,F,Sa 5pm-12am, Sundays 12pm – 10pm
Beverage: Soft drinks for now – wine pairing suggestions available on request
More information is available on our Website: www.brazakaya.com