Sunday 11 September 2011

Neal's Yard Salad Bar - Alfresco, Jazz and Brazilian FeiJoada!

Neal's Salad bar is located in a Secluded area near Covent Garden. It makes a great escape for lunch or a break from walking around the shops. Sometimes the word Salad bar sounds like the restaurateur mission to create healthy eating, when the word bar is always associated with that alcoholic martini shaken not stirred.


So if your wondering what on earth Guarana is, its like a Brazilian fruit ice tea. I think the official Guarana website needs some help with the re-wording of their advert.
'Although we won't deny that taking guarana has some effects similar to those you can expect after taking caffeine, it is the exotic flavor that makes guarana sodas so interesting. The best brands deliver a fruity taste, aren't overloaded with sugar, and have a pleasant aftertaste...' http://www.guarana.com/

Jazz















Why I love Neal's yard so much, when the sun is out and the Jazz is playing you feel slightly at ease and slip away into your own escapism.


  
I decided to try a very famous Feijoada, Beef, Pork, Black Bean & Sausage in thick gravy served with spring greens Fried banana, Farofa & White rice. The origin of the feijoada runs back to the sixteenth century with the introduction of slaves in Brazil. Slaves were used for many things, cotton production, cocoa production, rubber and with the gold rush boom for extraction of diamonds and mine digging. Peasant and rustic food always shows alot of character, from the modern bubble and squeak to hot pot stews.
The Brazilian Feijoada is the Brazil undisputed national dish. It is a recipe of bean stew with rice and pork. Different garniture is used in different parts of Brazil, but usually include “farofa” (mandioca, a root from the rain forest, mixed with maize flour and oil)

Originally feijoada was made using every part of the pig, such as ears, tails, and nose floating among the beans. I think I tried the tourist version instead of offal they used fine cuts of beef and pork. I really enjoyed eat the Feijoada, it tasted like a rich stew with thick savoury gravy sauce. The meat was tender and was seasoned with Paprika, Garlic and Pepper.The white Farofa side is not something I would eat again or cook for my guest at a dinner party it tasted like dry couscous without any flavour bordering white saw dust. Overall I thought the dish tasted amazing very unique but reminisces a hearty stew.

The venue:Neal's Salad Bar
Cuisine: Brazilian
Date visited: 17/08/11
The damage: £12 Lunch for one 
The food: 8 out 10, The food was authentic with a wide range of dishes whether your a carnivore or vegetarian, the place offers something for everyone... yes they even have an all day breakfast.
The service: 9 out 10


Will I recommend it: Yes
Will I return: Yes
Have I had better: No... There aren't many Brazilian restaurants in London.

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