Beija Flor is one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in Long Island City, as far as any cuisine is concerned, not just Brazilian. Sometimes, you will visit a restaurant that is trending on the internet and you will end up leaving, a bit disappointed. The food and service just fell well short of the hype.

But  that's not the case at Beija Flor where  your expectations are exceeded by both the elegant, unique atmosphere and the superb cuisine. The ambiance is authentically Brazilian, but with a lot of personal decorative touches, as well. The rustic chairs and tables would not be out of place in a Rio café. The various floral arrangements that decorate the room add to the endless Summer ambiance. The ceiling is covered by flowing drapes, which are a visual treat. On weekends, you will also be treated to live Samba music, so come prepared to move to the Bossa nova beat and have the time of your life! There's a nice, vibrant energy to the place. People are sitting at their tables, laughing, talking and enjoying their food. Then wait staff are very attentive and there's a bounce in their step.

The Brazilian equivalent of American appetizers or hors d'oeuvres and Italian antipasto is salgadinhos. You can order a sample plate of these tasty morsels which include chicken or codfish croquettes, hearts of palm, beef jerky and your choice of cheese.

Brazilian cuisine does, in fact, incorporate various ethnic influences in its cuisine, from Portuguese as well as    recipes and ingredients from the local Indian tribes to Italian food. Polenta, an Italian staple dish figures in several of Beija Flor's offerings such as the creamy polenta and Brazilian sausage in tomato sauce as well as the pork crackling with polenta fries.

Beef also  plays a major role in Brazilian cuisine. At Beija Flor, they are very proud of their picanha na chapa, which is grilled top sirloin steak served with rice, beans, farofa, (roasted yucca flour), and vinaigrette. The kitchen is extremely fussy and will serve only the best cuts of meat to their customers. At Beija Flor, the chef will not serve any dish to you that he would not serve to his family and friends at home. Signature dishes include shrimp sautéed in garlic, lemon and olive oil and the Frango com salvia, which is a chicken breast stuffed with spinach and cheese, sautéed in sage and accompanied by grilled zucchini.

When dining here, you have got to try the classical Brazilian seafood stew, moqueca de peixe con camarao. This delicious stew consists of swai fish filet and shrimp in coconut milk and palm oil with onions, peppers and cilantro, served with rice and traditional fish gravy. The dessert selection is rather limited, but not when it comes to taste and ingenuity.

The Pudim  de Leite is Brazilian style caramel flan. The Brigadiero Goyrmet is just what the chocoholic ordered to end the evening on a sweet note. This heavenly mousse is made with cocoa powder and has both a smooth, creamy-like and sticky texture. They also have a full selection of fresh squeezed juices like mango, guava and passion fruit available to quench your thirst. And, of course, you should also order a well mixed  caipirinha from the bar. The Brazilian certainly know how to live. And the best of Brazil, as far as food, music and hospitality goes, can be found at Beija Flor.

Established in February 2014, Beija Flor is a cozy but lively restaurant serving traditional Brazilian cuisine in an elegant yet unpretentious fashion.

Located on a quiet Long Island City corner, the unfinished wood, sisal rope, and natural cloth used in the tasteful decor creates a true rustic ambiance further supported by the clay pots and cast iron skillets our food is served on. We use ingredients sourced from the finest purveyors, featuring many local and organic products. On weekends, live music invigorates the atmosphere and inspires people to dance while they enjoy one of our signature caipirinhas, the quintessential Brazilian cocktail. Our number one goal is to provide our guests with a full, authentic experience of Brazilian food and culture. Come enjoy it with us.