Uma mesa para dois, por favor! Brasilian goodies at Comida Casera

Richmond, VA

Welcome back, fellow stuffies!  Happy snow day to those in Richmond!

Today's adventure takes us to one of the few Brazilian restaurants in Richmond, Comida Casera.  This little hidden gem is tucked away in the El Jardin Latino Market.  I misplaced my picture of the market but I will be sure to come back and edit to add it in so you can find CC too!

Check out this extensive menu!  Something for everyone here!

So, I think I have a problem.  Every time I come here to eat, I always end up order too much of the delicious food!  But I guess that really isn't that big of a deal considering I get to eat the leftovers later. =D

During this visit to Comida Casera, my dining partner and I ordered Guaraná Antarctica to drink and coxinhas to start.  Guaraná is a tasty soda that is guaraná flavored.  What is guaraná exactly?  It's a fruit especially common in Brazil.  It's a little scarey looking but it is quite tasty, I promise!

Coxihnas!  Mmm... I finally have found some here in Richmond.  These little pretties are deep fried goodies stuffed with seasoned chicken.  They are shaped to look like chicken thighs since that is what they were traditionally made with.  Shredded white meat yumminess is what fills this particular one.  The crust was very crispy, the breading mashed potato like layer underneath was thick and soft, and the chicken was well seasoned.  The crust was a little hard for my taste but the flavors were all there.  And no burnt taste from the deep frying!  There were also three sauces for the entertainment of our taste buds.  One medium spicy hot sauce that was smooth and smoky, a common chili pasty type sauce that still had the pepper seeds floating around, and a green chili sauce, a chunky spicy sauce that made everything more fun to eat.  All three sauces were a nice medium spicy heat and not too overpowering, making any one of them a great addition to any dish or side.

 Next on the menu was my Bife Acebolado.  A giant piece of grilled steak with sauteed onions on top served with white rice, beans and a salad.  The steak was thin but ginormous.  grilled nicely and still tender.  The onions on top were cooked perfectly, no ore crunch but not soggy at all and were seasoned nicely.  Mmmm... rice and beans.  The rice was plain but a nice glossy sheen from the oils it was cooked with and the beans were soft and tasty.  Nothing out of the ordinary but definitely authentic in taste.

My dining companion ordered the Frango á Milanesa.  A Big piece of deep fried breaded chicken, served with white rice, beans, and a salad.  The crust was just right, not too thick or crumbly, and the chicken was super moist and juicy.  Same rice, beans, and salad.  The salad was just a simple plate of lettuce, tomato, onion, and carrot.  Nothing special, but a nice light touch to a more hearty meal. 

We also ordered small fries and small fried yuca, but I couldn't keep my hands off of them before the picture. heheh...  these were super fresh, super tasty.  The fries were lightly salty, crisp outside, soft steamy inside.  The yuca was soft too- nothing tough or chewy about it.

My experience here was great.  The service was attentive and helpful, the restaurant is pretty clean, and there is a wide selection to choose from.  The dining area is a bit small, only 6 or so tables, but definitely worth a visit.  It is my go to restaurant for Brazilian food in Richmond after all... :)

So, How Nuts Are We about Comida Casera?

Food: 5 coconuts. Great fast Brazilian (and Hispanic food) for a nice price.
Service: 4 coconuts. Good, fast service, but the meal is usually pretty casual and doesn't require a lot of attention.  The staff there is always just a wave away and are always attentive in the event you need anything at all.
Repeatability: 5 coconuts. The portion sizes are generous.  I may be a bit biased since there are very few places here to get this type of cuisine, but it is definitely worth it.  mmm...

(>^.^)> Until next time... <(^.^<)