Michael Casalinho is the chef and owner behind the popular, Portuguese restaurant Broa and recently opened Brazillian spot Tamborim in downtown Jersey City. And now, he’s introducing his latest concept to the downtown neighborhood just before the year ends. Eira Cafe is the third business of Michael’s in Jersey City and the second to open in 2020. Learn about the new cafe coming to town, what we can expect to see on the menu, and more.
The Location
Eira is located in the location that Kraverie {Korean BBQ and Crepes} once was, for OG Jersey Cityians. The storefront has been vacant ever since Kraverie closed down in 2018, until August of 2019 when news broke that Michael and his team were taking over the space.
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The small cafe is situated at 24 Mercer Street, just around the corner from Beechwood Cafe and across the street from City Hall. It’s easily accessible by a short, 5-minute walk from the Grove Street PATH Station or a 15-minute walk from Exchange Place.
The Inspiration
{Photo credit: @eira_pt}
Broa’s incredible success over the years inspired Michael to dream big about his next move. He is proud to bring Portuguese culture and cuisine to Jersey City. He strives for authenticity – always.
So, in addition to offering the community traditional Portuguese fare as you would eat at your grandmother’s home, he wanted to provide locals with a fast-casual experience that introduced Portuguese pastries, sandwiches, and other snacks. The type of food you wanted as a Portuguese kid growing up.
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The decor of the cozy cafe space mimics Broa’s relaxed, welcoming vibe but offers a fresh breath of simplicity and minimalism. The walls are adorned with wicker bowls and plates, the shelves stocked with traditional Portuguese goods like Sugus candy, beans, canned fish, and jarred sauces.
The overall vibe they’re looking to achieve is Portuguese nostalgia. Much of the content Michaels’ team has shared on their Instagram shares insight on some of the products and foods that one might recognize from their pantry if they grew up in a Portuguese home.
The Menu
{Photo credit: @eira_pt}
For those who are familiar with Broa’s delicious dessert offerings, get excited. Eira is bringing them to the neighborhood full time, meaning you’ll be able to get your hands on their traditional Portuguese pastries on the regular. A Broa fan favorite is the Pastel de Nata, a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry dusted with sugar and cinnamon.
{Photo credit: @eira_pt}
Expect to see Bolas de Berlim, as well. The Eira Instagram page describes this treat as the Portuguese version of a doughnut. “It is a very popular Portuguese pastry which historically originates in Northern German pastry making. The cured egg yolk filling in a “Bola de Berlim” is always visible as the doughnut is sliced into halves. They are made with sweet dough fried in oil with some powdered sugar icing on top.” Say no more.
Beyond baked goods and pastries, Eira will have bread, sandwiches, soups, salads, snacks, holiday specials, and more.
Follow Eira Cafe on Instagram for more details on the opening and menu.
