Tipped

Busy Brazilian Bar

February 10, 2008

Went to Favela Chic for a friends birthday party. I'm not normally the type to stand in line for the opportunity to pay 5 pounds to enter a bar/restaurant and pay a further 3.50 for a beer, but this was a special occasion. Although there was a line when I arrived around 8:30, it turned out to be not all that bad, and I was standing with friends anyways so I couldn't complain too much. Still, I wouldn't have minded a voucher for a drink or at least a shot or something to welcome me to the place - instead I was told that the slip I was handed upon paying my fiver was simply for the people at the door to keep track of numbers, so why did I need it?

The space inside is reasonably impressive, with high ceilings and an interesting, if eclectic, decor of recovered wood and colourful fabrics. It's a pretty big space, but it gets filled to the brim so be prepared to push your way through crowds to get to the cramped little bathrooms in the basement. The music was satisfactory, although decidedly un-Brazilian (Zoot Suit Riot?). All in all, I can understand the appeal of a place like Favela Chic, although to judge from the other reviews it ain't the food. Still, there was a lively crowd of mostly pretty people, and our group of humble students also had a good time in spite of any shortfalls of the place. That said, I'm not likely to return absent another command performance like this one.

Keywords: Brazilian food, dancing, cover charge

Beans and rice in a rush

October 07, 2007

Favela Chic is a good time party place. From the big pitchers of caipirinha to the laminated menu cards, this is a place to get boozed up and have a dance to the south American rhythms played late into the night by the DJs. The decor is of the tongue-in-cheek slum-chic variety – long communal tables, walls covered in wooden boards, mismatched junk. We came for an early dinner (7:30), and although the food wasn’t bad, the selection wasn’t extensive. The starters were mainly from the deep fried end of the spectrum, and mains on offer were chicken with rice, bean and meat stew, or steaks – simple but certainly not light fare, especially if you want to hop around the dance floor afterwards – or move at all even. Table service was pretty poor – we had booked a table from 7:30 and had a 2 hour slot to for dinning. We were then reminded every 20 minutes or so that we should order quickly as we needed to vacate the table by 9:30. At 8:00, 8:45, 9:00, 9:20 and 9:29 we were again reminded that we needed to vacate the table at 9:30. It certainly didn’t help to promote a relaxing atmosphere. Favela Chic definitely comes into its element later on – cocktails, good music and a lively crowd – definitely one for a liquid night out, but I wouldn’t be back for the food.

Keywords: Brazilian Music, brazilian

Average food, pressed on time

October 07, 2007

Went to Favela Chic with a few fellow tippers. Downsides - pressured on time, we were reminded every 10 minutes that we had to vacate the table after 2 hours which got quite annoying by the end of the evening. Food was average - very plain brazilian fare. Probably authentic but small range and quite pricey for basic food. Drinks were also over priced. However cool atmosphere and it really picked up later as people arrived for music and show. So go skip the food and go for the entertainment.

Keywords: brazil