Bites: In which I share with you short dish reviews and ratings from my adventures with Tasted Menu. The scale is from 0-10, where 0.0 equals “A traumatic experience” and 10.0 “A culinary epiphany”.

Padaria Brasil is a tiny shop on Harvard Ave. in Allston with a green and yellow awning that you’ll likely miss if you aren’t looking for it. Usually there is a spot you can pull into right in front, and get in line with a group of Brazilians ordering from the wide range of pastries.

Pão de queijo {8.0}
Mini: 50 cents.

It is always a formidably odd experience when you try something you’ve never had before and it tastes *exactly* like a food you grew up with from half way across the globe. This Brazillian treat tasted just like a little Turkish Kaşarlı Poğaça!  Kaşar is a sort of tart hard cheese, like a Parmigiano but slightly more acidic – I’m guessing that they use Minas, but I’ll have to check for sure… {This was my first Pão de Queijo from Padaria Brasil, and now I understand what Amanda was going on about when she went to great lengths to get this place on my radar.}

Next up to try: the Coxinha (a deep fried chicken croquette).

Padaria Brasil
125 Harvard Ave.
Allston, MA 02134 Map
(617) 202-6783

Padaria Brasil on Urbanspoon