Brazil comes to Lincoln Park- coffee and!

[rating=4] While I am still going to have to take a city trip to taste their coffee, we were luck to have Dr. Luciano Dias, founder of Chicago’s newest entry into the “coffee shop” visit with us on our show. If you did not hear it on WCPT 820 am last Sunday, you can find the podcast on the internet or at www.wcpt820.com ( July 26th). Dr. Dias, a retired pediatric orthopedic surgeon, like me, found it hard to retire, so he brought his dream to Chicago. Pinipico Coffe Company, located at 1538 N. Clark Street ( just South of North Ave.) on the tip of Lincoln Park meets Old Town.

His dream was to bring a little more Brazil to Chicago. In this way, all of the Brazilians he knows can have a bit more of the flavors of home and at the same time, Americans can learn about some of the culture and customs of Brazil.

Brazilian culture is warmth and togetherness and what better than a cup of coffee to bring this to fruition. But I digress. The good Doctor brought us a sampling of the “and” that they serve at his shop. Their menu focuses on Pao de Queijo, a classic cheese bread ( recipe from Minas Gerais) that has been served for over 100 years in Brazil. It is made of the cassava root and is the perfect compliment to coffee. It is gluten free and is offered in various sizes and flavors.

We were also treated to their empanadas, empadas  and brigadeiros, with assorted fillings and flavors. They were juicy and filling and the boys in the control room were well satisfied by the flavors that the Doctor selected. I am looking forward to stopping by and enjoying one of the blueberry muffins as well as tasting some of the coffee flavors they offer. His family ( grandfather) was a farmer who grew coffee beans so even as a child he learned the process of the drying of the beans and preparation for the exporting to other countries. By the way, Pico is his nickname ( and has been since childhood).

The Lincoln Park space is open from 7 a.m.-  5 p.m. daily Monday-Friday  and 8 am-4 p.m. on Saturday and  Sundays

http://www.pinipico.com 1538 N. Clark Street   312-624-8389- based on what we tatsed, you will want to stop by, say hello, enjoy their flavors and then make a friend and bring them back!