Beco: A Non-Cheesy Brazilian Alternative

I’m not sure if it’s because of all those terrible Brazilian restaurants in Midtown, but for some reason, whenever anyone mentions anything about going to a Brazilian restaurant, I’ll just assume it’s going to be incredibly meat-heavy, Pan-South American (as opposed to actually Brazilian), neon-lighted, and generally horrible.  UNTIL NOW.

Beco, located literally around the corner from Pete’s Candy Store, is a welcome breath of fresh air to the genre of Brazilian restaurants I sort of made up in my head.  Not only is it a low-key, casual spot where the waiters are actually Brazilian, but the food will absolutely blow your mind.  I’m partial to the Vegetarian sandwich (totally get it with Minas cheese), the gnocchi (usually on special) or ravioli as an alternate.  Oh, and guess what the greatest surprise of my entire life was?  Discovering that their Pao de Qeijo tastes pretty much EXACTLY like Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits– which are undeniably the best bread products ever committed to real life in the history of time.

Best kept secret about this place?  The wine is great and reasonably priced (anywhere from $6-$9 a glass).  Though, they have pretty nice Brazilian cocktails, too (get the passion fruit Caipirinha), and Palma Louca beer for only $4.  Oh, and they have a pretty decent brunch on the weekends.  Though this place can get pretty crowded because of its size, the wait never seems to be that long (as long as you go nowhere near anything to do with the World Cup– is that over yet?).

Seriously, guys, my roommate and I basically have two predictable questions we ask each other on a daily basis: (1) Hey, wanna listen to Beach House?, and (2) Wanna go to Beco?  The fact that the attractive bartender is an afterthought should really tell you something, too.

Beco
45 Richardson (between Lorimer and Union)
Brooklyn, 11211 [Williamsburg]