Mangarosa, a North Beach hot spot, dubs its cuisine “Italian with a Brazilian twist,” but with Portuguese splashed all across the menu and cachaça all over the bar, it might be more accurate to say it’s Brazilian with an Italian twist. Dishes like Bolinho de Bacalhau and Pastéis de Carne, Queijo e Frango put a fine-dining spin on the street food of Rio de Janeiro.

The more classically Italian eats on the menu have unexpected flavors and details like polenta croutons, crispy hot on the outside and creamy delicious on the inside, in a warm spinach salad or a twelve-year-aged balsamic with hints of dark cherry paired with a crispy chicken (Frango Assado). But it is the Brazilian Steak Réchaud that brings Mangarosa consistent acclaim and attention.

Enlivened by the hot coral paint and large, street-facing windows, the intimate space is lively and comfortably crowded. With a back alcove and a decently sized bar area, this popular restaurant achieves a full and vivacious ambiance which you can enjoy without having to bump elbows with your neighbor. And though the restaurant fills up on a Friday night and a reservation is a wise move, smaller tables can be sat without much wait. Have a seat at the bar and order up a caipirinha (one of the best in the city) or one of its many spin-offs available while you wait. Notably the Paulistano should be tried, whose sweet pineapple beautifully balances the oroonoko, a cachaça-type rum. Gnoshing at the bar while enjoying the flamboyant décor, such as a blue wax candelabra melting right on top of the bar, is also a possibility.

To get a more Brazilian experience, hit up Mangarosa on a Thursday around seven-ish to see Energia do Samba, a local troupe dedicated to bringing Brazilian samba to SF. The Carnival-worthy costuming is sure to make the evening much more memorable. And if cheeky Brazilian bikinis weren’t reason enough to head out on a weeknight, Mangarosa also does a very decent happy hour Tuesday through Friday evenings until eight.

Flavorful food, with surprising yet excellent sauce and dressing choices, delicious tropical drinks all make this one a must. With the bright coral walls and the vibrant atmosphere and clientele, Mangarosa is truly fun fine-dining.

Mangarosa is For more information, check out the Mangarosa website.