July 5, 2015 By Michael Florio
After months of waiting, Jackson Heights residents will now have the opportunity to dine at a new Brazilian buffet.
Aroma Brazil, located at 75-13 Roosevelt Ave, opened at the end of June, after a growing buzz in the community, according to owner, Sydney Costa.
“People showed up [on the first day] and waited outside until we opened,” Costa said. “For months people walked by and stopped in and asked when we were going to open.”
Costa said people from the neighborhood are excited to have a Brazilian restaurant, particularly an inexpensive buffet.
The restaurant offers a variety of pastas, chicken, beef, salad and vegetable dishes for just $5.99 per pound.
For $7.99 per pound, the restaurant serves items from the grill such as steak, bacon-wrapped chicken, Brazilian sausage and other meats.
“There is nothing like this on Roosevelt Ave,” he said. “Not only is there a need for Brazilian food in the neighborhood, but there is no restaurant where you can pick your food and get so much, for such an inexpensive price.”
Costa, who is an Astoria native and originally wanted to open the restaurant there, saw a greater need for his Brazilian restaurant in Jackson Heights.
“Astoria already has a few Brazilian restaurants and Jackson Heights needed one,” he said.
“I love Jackson Heights,” he said. “There is a lot of potential for Roosevelt Ave and it is up and coming.”
Aroma Brazil is currently open from 11am to 11pm 7-days-a-week and is expected to expand its hours to incorporate breakfast.
Breakfast will also be served buffet style, and will include eggs, bacon, sausage, empanadas, and fruit salad at a cost of $5.99 per pound.
The restaurant does not have a liquor license. However, Costa is in the process of obtaining the license, so he can serve wine, beer and sangria.
