Mozzarella Di Bufala

by Tina DiSano
(San Francisco, Ca)

Located in an unassuming part of town, West Portal's Mozzarella Di Bufala boasts mixed selection of homemade pizzas and delicious Brazilian dishes. The latter are really what I come here for, even though I see most people eating the huge, oven-roasted, piping hot pizzas.

If you've grown up accustomed to eating slow-cooked, homemade meat dishes infused with some sort of alcohol, (usually chicken, beef or pork with beer or wine) spices and vegetables...you'll be a happy little camper at Mozzarella Di Bufala. The mix of dark Brazilian beers with saffron and fennel spicing is TO DIE. The meat is always falling off the bone, eager to melt in your mouth. And even though the portions are HUGE, it is quite easy to finish your entire plate.

I specifically recommend the following:

Frango a Brasileira: mouthwatering chicken served in a dark beer saffron sauce cooked with carrots, peppers and onions. Served with rice and and fresh spinach (the spinach gets 5 stars for tasting quite fresh)

Moqueca de Peixe: tender halibut served in a coconut milk sauce, cooked with peppers, onions, palm oil and a variety of other veggies... not over spiced like its rival Thai dishes. Served with rice and spinach.

Basically. If you are needing a warm meal to bring you back to life or set you up for a long Sunday night's rest, come here. You won't encounter any w-of-m bullshit or stuck up chefs here, only good Brazilian people and I promise you'll be happy and satisfied, thinking that maybe only Mama could have cooked it better (that is if your mother can cook...and if she can't well...sucks for you).