Jed
2008-02-24 00:57:01 UTC
Met a friend who works at Yahoo nearby at Senzal Brazilian restuarant
on E. Java Dr. in Sunnyvale for lunch yesterday.
It's in a little mustard and brown strip mall between Mathilda and
Fair Oaks.
The decor is a little off-putting at first if you don't know what to
expect. The restaurant is apparently occupying a space that was once a
sports bar. TVs hang from the ceiling in several locations, however
the sound was low and they were set to what looked to be the Arts
Channel with a opera singer and a classical quintet.
There are foosball tables and a full bar hidden away in the back on
the left side of the restaurant.
A large open space with linoleum tables and pea-soup green chairs
appears to be used as a dance floor at times.
Service appears to be cafeteria style but, in fact, you order from a
smallish menu from the lunch specials Feijoada, Galinha com Polenta,
Bobó de Camarão, and several others (all $10.99). There are also
sandwiches and steaks, chicken, and sausages from the grill.
As my friend and I eyed the large menu with photos on the wall near
the "Order Here" sign, the apparent owner came up and asked if this
was our first visit. I assume he was Brazilian, he looked the part and
had a pleasant Portuguese/Brazilian accent. He seemed very proud of
his restaurant -- a good sign, as was the smell of the food that
permeated the restuarant.
I ordered the Feijoada, I think I got the "j" right with a soft "g"
sound. The server took a ceramic plate loaded it with some rice,
lifted the lid off a steam tray and ladled on the black bean and beef
mixture -- and kept ladling until their was a mound of Feijoada that I
was not going to be able to finish then sprinkled what I believe was
finely grated parmesan or some Brazilizn euivalent. The amoung of food
made the $10.99 for lunch easier to take. Along side she placed some
orange salad and collard greens cooked with obvious chunks of bacon. I
was also give a small cup of "salsa" and instructed to spread it over
the Feijoada.
My friend's order of Galinha com Polenta was good sized chunks of
white chicken meat in a creamy tomato sauce served over a loose
polenta with steamed vegetables. He declared it good and was able to
finish it all off. He also went back to ask for some of the salsa
which turned out to be much like Mexican salsa cruda but made with a
lot more vinegar.
The Feijoada was great for poor man's food and they certainly didn't
skimp on the meat which had been slow cooked and could be cut with a
fork. The salsa went very well with it since neither dish was highly
spiced, but I understand Brazilian food isn't typically spicy.
All-in-all a satisfying and well made lunch. I'd go back and probably
will.
Senzala Brazilian Restaurant
250 E. Java Drive
Sunnyvale, CA
http://www.senzalarestaurant.com
on E. Java Dr. in Sunnyvale for lunch yesterday.
It's in a little mustard and brown strip mall between Mathilda and
Fair Oaks.
The decor is a little off-putting at first if you don't know what to
expect. The restaurant is apparently occupying a space that was once a
sports bar. TVs hang from the ceiling in several locations, however
the sound was low and they were set to what looked to be the Arts
Channel with a opera singer and a classical quintet.
There are foosball tables and a full bar hidden away in the back on
the left side of the restaurant.
A large open space with linoleum tables and pea-soup green chairs
appears to be used as a dance floor at times.
Service appears to be cafeteria style but, in fact, you order from a
smallish menu from the lunch specials Feijoada, Galinha com Polenta,
Bobó de Camarão, and several others (all $10.99). There are also
sandwiches and steaks, chicken, and sausages from the grill.
As my friend and I eyed the large menu with photos on the wall near
the "Order Here" sign, the apparent owner came up and asked if this
was our first visit. I assume he was Brazilian, he looked the part and
had a pleasant Portuguese/Brazilian accent. He seemed very proud of
his restaurant -- a good sign, as was the smell of the food that
permeated the restuarant.
I ordered the Feijoada, I think I got the "j" right with a soft "g"
sound. The server took a ceramic plate loaded it with some rice,
lifted the lid off a steam tray and ladled on the black bean and beef
mixture -- and kept ladling until their was a mound of Feijoada that I
was not going to be able to finish then sprinkled what I believe was
finely grated parmesan or some Brazilizn euivalent. The amoung of food
made the $10.99 for lunch easier to take. Along side she placed some
orange salad and collard greens cooked with obvious chunks of bacon. I
was also give a small cup of "salsa" and instructed to spread it over
the Feijoada.
My friend's order of Galinha com Polenta was good sized chunks of
white chicken meat in a creamy tomato sauce served over a loose
polenta with steamed vegetables. He declared it good and was able to
finish it all off. He also went back to ask for some of the salsa
which turned out to be much like Mexican salsa cruda but made with a
lot more vinegar.
The Feijoada was great for poor man's food and they certainly didn't
skimp on the meat which had been slow cooked and could be cut with a
fork. The salsa went very well with it since neither dish was highly
spiced, but I understand Brazilian food isn't typically spicy.
All-in-all a satisfying and well made lunch. I'd go back and probably
will.
Senzala Brazilian Restaurant
250 E. Java Drive
Sunnyvale, CA
http://www.senzalarestaurant.com