Canto Do Brazil

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joany34

Joined 8 years ago

This is my favorite secret restaurant. I have been to Brazil several times and there is not another place that represents so well the brazilian cuisine. Don't expect fancy plates or sofistication. This restaurant is for those that really want to have a Brazilian experience, like their natives experiment every day. This is the best home made style brazilian restaurant that I ever been. They have quiet nights on weekdays, and very busy weekends, with a sort of Carnaval live samba dance on weekend nights. Service has been always personal and friendly. Great for people that never experienced brazilian food before.

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pegpie

Joined 8 years ago

User review by pegpie. We dined here before going to the theater (Orpheum, a 15 minute walk). Everything had great flavor but the chicken and the pork were overcooked and tough. We prefer the appetizers over the main dishes, especially the yucca and fried calamari. Our group of 6 were seated immediately even though we did not have any reservations. The waiter was friendly and made great recommendations.

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mk_blue_70

Joined 8 years ago

Really poor service. OK, I had written a glowing review about how much I loved this place. Great food, great prices. Now, after going there a few more times, let me amend by adding: HORRIBLE service. Don't go here if you want a nice dining experience because they barely act like they care about you, if they're not downright rude.

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christinanoyes

Joined 8 years ago

Delicious Brazilian Food!. There is nothing like Canto do Brasil in the San Francisco! The artwork on the walls is so warm and inviting. At night the lights are low and the Bossa Nova music makes it all quite romantic! The waitresses speak Brazilian Portuguese, which is absolutely beautiful. The atmosphere makes you feel as if you are in Brazil. The well-known Brazilian croquettes coxinhas are SUPER DELICIOUS! My husband and I always have to order a second round! And we argue over who gets the last one, because they are so delicious! In October they have a special dish that they serve in a pumpkin, which my son loves! I also love the crunchy farofa, which I tried to make at home. However, it was never as good as the restaurants. I have been going to this restaurant for years and I have never had a bad meal.

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ajovel

Joined 8 years ago

Completely Satisfied. I just had dinner with my family at Canto Do Brasil and I absolutely loved it! We were all treated really nicely by the waiters and the food was excellent. We had the traditioanal Brasilian croquettes coxinha for appetizers and then everyone had a different entree- Feijoad, Muqueco ge Peixe, and Seafood Tropical. All of the disshes were delicious and very exotic. My family had a great experience in trying something new. In the end we wacthed an entertaining show by Samba dancers that asked us to dance with them during our dinner. The show is free with dinner every Friday and Saturday night and just enhances the dinning experience. Our dinning experience was excellent!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Brazilian specialties in a small, bright Civic Center setting.. The Scene
A cheery blue and yellow exterior brightens an otherwise unremarkable stretch of Franklin Street. Inside, the cozy dining room boasts the same vibrant tones along with tropical murals, leafy plants and gauzy white and blue curtains that flank streetside windows. On weekdays, downtown workers jam the tables for bargain-priced lunches, while at night, a more leisurely pace reigns.

The Food
The kitchen churns out Brazilian cuisine's greatest hits. Starters include crispy fried yucca (similar to a potato) and prawns simmered in a spicy tomato broth. The perfectly cooked red snapper entree comes doused in a rich lemon juice, coconut milk and yucca sauce. The house specialty, feijoada completa, is a hearty stew of black beans, smoked ham, beef, sausage and garlic served with a traditional side of farofa (toasted manioc meal). Dessert options are limited, but the tart passion fruit mousse should satisfy any sweet tooth.

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jose_po74

Joined 8 years ago

Good food, bad service. I was incredibly disappointed by a recent visit. The food was as delicious as ever, but the service was HORRENDOUS. I went for dinner, and my party of three was the ONLY table in the restaurant (it was 6pm). Our waiter couldn't have cared less about us. He sat at the bar, chatting away with an older woman (who I hear is the owner). I had to flag him down to take our order, then flag him down to ask for more water -- then he didn't even bring it. He wordlessly dropped off our check at the end of the meal and walked off -- I had to call him back to ask about desserts. He just looked annoyed that we were staying longer, and we had only been there for a little over an hour. I don't care how good the food is -- I won't be back.

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nips

Joined 8 years ago

love this affordable little spot!. i go to canto weekly for the caipirina and galhina na cerveja (sp?).. the snapper and paella are very good, too. Not too crazy about the calamari as i think it's too salty. I love this place cuz it has a quaint neighborhood feel and i don't feel uncomfortable dining solo. Service is average, but that doesn't matter. it's definitely not a dining "scene" but i go there for the good food. The lunch is the best value ($5-7 entrees!) and dinners range $12-16.

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flerve

Joined 10 years ago

Great Food!. the food was delicious! i had red snapper and salmon with a coconut milk and fruit sauce served in a hollowed out half pinapple, i highly recommend it. i thought it was a little expensive, just like every other restaurant in hayes valley. definitely the best south american food i have had, ill be back.

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liltummy_bigeater

Joined 11 years ago

My Brazilian Experience. My friends and I came to Canto for a birthday dinner and we were utterly satisfied with our meal! This was the first time we had the privilege of eating Brazilian food and it was such a treat! Appetizers consisted of bread served with a special and delectable salmon butter, followed by fried calamari with a spicy sauce! We all had different entrees and all were very good...I had the beef (bife) and the meat was very tender and flavorful! Cocktails were also sweet and full of lots of vodka! The waiters were incredibly helpful, friendly...what more could u ask for??