Where to Watch the 2014 World Cup
Even if you could care less about soccer, the excitement and pageantry surrounding the World Cup means that opportunities abound to indulge in fun food. The same goes for the Super Bowl, which as far as we’re concerned, is all about chili and chicken wings. Right?
And since the tournament is being held in Brazil this year, there’s extra attention being paid to the oft underrated cuisine, with restaurants like Favela Grill and Botequim getting the chance to strut their stuff to a wider audience, and non-Latin eateries such as Distilled and Falansai jumping on board with tasty promotions and specials. So without further ado, here’s where to get your fill of Caipiranhas and Cheese Bread during the 2014 World Cup!
Botequim
Brazilian native Marco Moreira is pulling out all the stops during the World Cup at Botequim, his sexy new restaurant and lounge in the basement of the Hyatt hotel, located directly under his terrific, market-focused eatery, The Fourth. He’ll prepare a Suckling Pig a Pururuca from the open kitchen on game days, as well as Picanha Steak, a cut unique to Brazil. There will also be a selection of authentic snacks, such as Grilled Shrimp on the Beach (popularized by Brazilian oceanside vendors), and Brazilian Sausage and Onions, as well as Açaí and Guarana-based Caipirinhas, Passionfruit Bellinis, and Brazilian-style Bloody Marys, made with cachaça house-infused with malagueta pepper.
Read MoreBoqueria
Boqueria will open at noon every day throughout the World Cup, with bragging rights to a large projection screens visible from every seat in the house. (Work will have to suffer.) Enjoy a variety of tapas and pintxos while you root for your favorite team (Boqueria is obviously pulling for Spain), such as Quail Eggs and Chorizo on Toast, Beef and Potato Croquettes, Hanger Steak a la Plancha and Meat and Cheese Boards, as well as Beer Sangria and an extensive selection of diverse and affordable Spanish wines.
Read MoreLouro
A major soccer fanatic, Chef David Santos is unveiling an 100-inch TV screen at Louro just for this year’s games, which will be broadcast live at the restaurant between June 12th and July 13th. Louro will have extended hours (opening at noon each game day) as well as food and drink specials, including free shots of the Portuguese spirit Aguardente for each goal scored by Team Portugal, and a variety of small and large plates, like Piri Piri Wings, Seafood Fritters, a Belly Goat Burger, and tasty Shrimp Tacos.
Read MoreFogo de Chao
Bar Fogo, the mezzanine bar and lounge at Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao, will host World Cup viewing parties featuring five different versions of the Caipirinha, such as a Bellini Caipirinha with Silver Cachaça, Monin peach purée, fresh lime, and LaMarca Prosecco. What to eat with them? Game day bites will include Picanha Sirloin Sliders on cheese bread, drizzled with chimichurri aioli, and a Linguiça Sausage Sandwich, topped with roasted peppers, pickled onions, and mozzarella.
Read MoreDistilled
The chic, Tribeca public house, Distilled, will be offering $9 cocktails, made with Cachça aka Cachaca (Brazil’s most beloved spirit) during Team USA games and during the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-place match and Final. Using Avuá Cachaça, a new small batch, single sourced rendition of the sugar cane liquor, libations will include the “Brazilian Prayer,” with Cocchi Americano, Apricot Brandy and Calvados, and the “Shandy Chope,” which mixes wheat beer with Avuá Prata Cachaça, fresh ginger, fresh lemon, apricot shrub, and orange & angostura bitters.
Read MoreFavela Grill
Although favela is the Brazilian term for ‘slum,’ this family-owned restaurant on a sleepy block in Astoria is as warm and welcoming as it gets. Expect plenty of national pride to be exhibited during the games (this corner of Queens is home to an especially sizable expat community), but all welcome to participate in the World Cup fun. Enjoy a highly authentic menu of Brazilian eats, such as sautéed onion-topped Beef Jerky, housemade pastries filled with Cod, Chicken or Catupity Cheese, groaning boards of Churrasco (grilled, skewered meat), and their widely praised rendition of the national dish, Foejida, a black bean stew thickened with Cassava Flour and flavored with dried beef, bacon, sausage and pork ribs.
Read MoreFalansai
A Vietnamese restaurant might not seem the most obvious place to watch the games. But chef and owner Henry Trieu is a big soccer fan, and will be showing every World Cup match starting June 12th, even opening his Bushwick eatery on Mondays, in order to serve an assortment of special snacks. So graze on Tamarind Sriracha Chicken Wings, Imperial Rolls, Summer Rolls, and Green Papaya Salad, paired with a selection of international beer and wine.
Read MoreWoodwork
This congenial Brooklyn bar is passionate about international sports, so no matter who is playing against whom, expect a packed house for each day of the games. Thankfully, Woodwork lavishes as much attention on food and drink as they do on futbol, so pair quirky cocktails, like “The Jabroni,” made with Gin, Aperol, blood-orange soda and Tabasco, with seriously hearty nibbles, such as Cheezy Bread, Chorizo Mac and Cheese, and Pressed Sandwiches, like the “Don Q,” made with Serrano, Manchego, Peppers and Onions.
Read More
Check out My Book – Try This
